LONDON: Britain’s political leaders made a final push for votes on Wednesday on the last day of an election campaigning expected to return a Labour government after 14 years of Conservative rule.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson mounted a last-ditch effort to rally support for his beleaguered Tory party, while an ally of current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged the daunting prospect of an “extraordinary landslide” defeat.
Polls ahead of Election Day suggest Labour leader Keir Starmer is poised to become the next prime minister, marking a significant departure from nearly fifteen years of right-wing governance. If predictions hold true, it would signify Labour’s first general election victory since Tony Blair’s triumph in 2005.
Starmer, 61, criss-crossed the UK on Wednesday, visiting key constituencies in England, Scotland, and Wales to shore up voter support and caution against complacency. “If you want change, you have to vote for it,” he told reporters.
The Conservatives, facing an uphill battle, intensified their warnings in the final days, highlighting fears of tax increases and national security vulnerabilities under a Labour government. Labour, in turn, accused the Tories of a fear-driven campaign to suppress turnout and thwart a potential “supermajority.”
Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and a close ally of Sunak, expressed concern over Labour gaining unchecked power. “The electorate would regret handing Labour untrammelled authority without an effective Tory opposition,” he cautioned in remarks to right-wing broadcaster GB News.
Survation polling data indicated Labour’s lead has been consistent, with dissatisfaction over Conservative handling of issues such as the cost of living, public services, immigration, and the economy contributing to a projected 20-point advantage.
Despite Johnson’s attempts to galvanize support, the ousted former premier cautioned against viewing the outcome as inevitable. Addressing supporters late Tuesday, he warned of Labour ushering in what he described as the most left-wing government since World War II.
Experts such as political polling analyst John Curtice have echoed the sentiment of a looming Labour victory, suggesting that the likelihood of Sunak retaining his position as prime minister is remote.
Attention has turned to the potential implications of a Starmer-led government, with expectations high for a shift in economic policy and a renewed focus on bolstering public services. Analysts anticipate a reversal of Brexit policies among pro-European circles, while broader hopes for economic revival and social welfare reforms dominate public discourse.
Thursday’s election marks a historic occasion as Britain’s first July election since 1945, a pivotal moment when Labour under Clement Attlee wrested power from Winston Churchill’s Conservatives, heralding the establishment of the National Health Service and significant social reforms.
Starmer, whose leadership contrasts with the charisma of past Labour figures like Blair, has positioned himself as a steady hand amidst national turbulence. The son of a tool maker and a nurse, Starmer’s tenure promises cautious economic stewardship and a commitment to addressing societal challenges exacerbated by years of political discord.
