LONDON, July 4 – Britons cast their votes on Thursday in a parliamentary election predicted to bring Keir Starmer’s Labour Party to power, ending Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative reign after 14 turbulent years.
Opinion polls forecast a landslide victory for Starmer’s centre-left party, driven by a public desire for change following years of Conservative infighting and turmoil, which resulted in five prime ministers over eight years. Starmer, a 61-year-old former human rights lawyer, faces a significant agenda but lacks overwhelming support or financial resources.
“Today, Britain can begin a new chapter,” Starmer said in a statement on Thursday. “We cannot afford five more years under the Conservatives. But change will only happen if you vote Labour.” Polling stations opened at 0600 GMT.
Sunak, 44, voted early with his wife, Akshata Murty, in Richmond, northern England, where he serves as the parliamentary representative. Starmer cast his ballot at 0830 GMT with his wife in his north London constituency.
Sunak, who called the election earlier than expected, has recently shifted his campaign focus from seeking a fifth consecutive Conservative victory to warning of the risks posed by an unchallenged Labour Party in parliament.
