On Thursday, British citizens will participate in a general election that polls indicate will conclude the Conservatives’ 14-year reign and grant Labour their largest triumph since almost two centuries, potentially exceeding even Tony Blair’s extensive landslide victory in 1997.
Rishi Sunak’s Conservative party, with him at the helm as prime minister, is anticipated to lose in excess of 70 per cent of its existing positions. Half of the officials in his Cabinet are also expected to lose their places in the Commons, based on the final poll of the campaign conducted by YouGov researchers.
Mr Sunak has declared that he is prepared to accept full accountability for the voters’ decision, with some Conservatives expressing concern that his particular position may be in peril. There hasn’t been a single instance in British political history where a current prime minister has lost his position.
Labour’s leader, Keir Starmer, looks set to assume Mr Sunak’s position at 10 Downing Street by Friday afternoon. In the event of a Labour victory, he has assured the public that he is ready to meet the challenges straight on, promising to present innovative solutions to the country’s issues.
Even high-ranking members within the Tory party have come to terms with the fact that a historic defeat seems imminent. A close confidant of Mr Sunak, Mel Stride, who currently holds the position of secretary for work and pensions, disclosed that the country is possibly on the edge of the largest landslide defeat ever recorded in British history.
As per YouGov’s analysis of 40,000 voters, the Labour party could secure a majority of over 200 by more than doubling its current seats to 431. In the meantime, Conservative seats are expected to shrink to just 102.
The Liberal Democrats appear to be on track for their best ever performance in a general election, potentially securing up to 72 seats. In contrast, the Scottish National Party is predicted to face significant losses, with its MPs potentially decreasing from 48 in 2019 to as few as 18.
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, known for its anti-immigration stance, is forecast to secure three seats, with Clacton in Essex being one of them. This win could send Mr Farage to the Commons for the first time after seven failed attempts.
Key members of the current Conservative government who potentially face losing their positions include Grant Shapps, the defence secretary, chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt and leadership aspirant Penny Mordaunt. Norfolk’s resident and former prime minister Liz Truss, according to some, is under threat of losing her position.