- On Thursday, millions of Britons will vote for a new House of Commons and a new government.
- Incumbent Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Conservative Party are widely expected to lose to the main opposition, the left-wing Labour Party.
- Other parties contesting the election include the Liberal Democrats, the populist Reform UK party, the Scottish National Party and the environmentalist Green Party.
Millions Voters in Britain Voting is taking place on Thursday to elect a new House of Commons and a new government.
Voters will elect 650 MPs representing the same number of constituencies or local areas, and the leader of the party with the most MPs will become prime minister.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party is widely expected to lose to the main opposition, left-wing Labour, having been in power for 14 years under five different prime ministers.
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The Conservative and Labour parties have traditionally dominated British politics under Britain’s “first past the post” electoral system, which makes it difficult for smaller parties to win representation in Parliament.
But the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, the Scottish National Party and the Greens are also in the race.
Let’s take a look at these parties, who is leading them and what promises they are making:
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during a Conservative general election campaign event in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 24, 2024. (Phil Noble/Pool Photo AP, File)
Conservatives
Who is the leader of the British Conservative Party?
Sunak, 44, comes to power in October 2022, inheriting a Conservative Party and economy in turmoil after Liz Truss’ short-lived premiership. The Oxford graduate and former Goldman Sachs hedge fund manager is Britain’s first black leader and the first Hindu to become prime minister. Sunak has insisted he is the man who steadied the ship, but critics say he lacks political judgment and is out of touch with ordinary voters.
How many seats did the Conservative Party win in the last election?
365
What are the Conservatives promising?
Providing a strong economy and cutting taxes by around £17 billion a year. Increasing public health spending above inflation, and raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030. The party says this will be paid for by saving on tax evasion and cutting welfare spending. The party has also promised to limit the number of immigrants and remove some refugees to Rwanda.
Labor
Who is the leader of the British Labour Party?
Keir Starmer.
The 61-year-old lawyer, a former chief prosecutor for England and Wales, is the current favourite to become Britain’s next leader. A centrist and pragmatist, Starmer has worked hard to steer his party away from the more overtly socialist policies of former leader Jeremy Corbyn and to calm internal divisions. Critics call him ineffective and ambitious, but Labour’s popularity has surged under his leadership.
How many seats did the Labour Party win in the last election?
202
What is the Labor Party promising?
Boost “wealth creation”, encourage investment and improve UK infrastructure such as railways as part of a 10-year infrastructure strategy. Establish a state-owned clean energy company to boost energy security, paid for by a windfall tax on oil and gas giants. Tax private schools to fund the hiring of thousands of new state school teachers. Cut record-high public health waiting times.
Liberal Democrats
Who is the leader of the British Liberal Democrats?
Ed Dewey.
Davey, 58, was first elected to Parliament in 1997. The former economics researcher served as the government’s energy and climate change secretary under an uneasy Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition from 2012 to 2015. Davey became leader of the left-wing Liberal Democrats in 2019 and wasn’t a household name until this election, when he made headlines with a series of bizarre stunts – including bungee-jumping to urge voters to take a “leap of faith”.
How many seats did the Liberal Democrats win in the last election?
11
What are the Liberal Democrats promising?
Reform the UK’s over-stressed health and social care systems, including introducing free nursing care at home. Investing in renewable energy and home insulation. Reining in sewage-dumping water companies. Lowering the voting age to 16. Rejoining the EU single market.
Reform UK
Who is the leader of Reform UK?
Nigel Farage.
Farage, who prides himself on being a disruptive leader in British politics, has caused serious headaches for the Conservatives since announcing his candidacy for the election. The 60-year-old populist leader has long divided public opinion with his anti-migrant rhetoric and Eurosceptic stance. Farage, a prominent Brexit supporter, has been accused of being a “big shot” at the polls. Winning over many disillusioned Conservative voters He promised to cut immigration and focus on “British values”. Farage has previously run for parliament seven times, but has never won.
How many seats did Reform UK win in the last election?
None — although the party gained its first MLA this year when former Conservative Party deputy chairman Lee Anderson joined the Reform Party.
What is Reform UK promising?
Halting all “non-essential immigration” and preventing international students from bringing their dependents with them. Leaving the European Convention on Human Rights so asylum seekers can be deported without interference from human rights courts. Abolishing “net zero” targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to reduce energy bills.
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Who is the leader of the Scottish National Party?
John Swinney.
Swinney, 60, became the SNP’s third leader in just a year in May. The politician has sought to bring stability to the party, which has been in turmoil since Scotland’s long-serving First Minister Nicola Sturgeon abruptly stepped down last year after criminal charges were brought against her husband during a campaign finance investigation. Swinney has long served the party: he joined its ranks at the age of 15, and previously led the party from 2000 to 2004.
How many seats did the SNP win in the last election?
48
What is the Scottish National Party promising?
Swinney has said he would try to start Scottish independence talks with the London-based UK government if his party wins a majority of seats in Scotland. He wants to rejoin the EU and the European single market. He also called for a boost to public health funding, an end to the UK’s Scotland-based nuclear deterrent and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
green Party
Who leads the Green Party?
Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay.
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Denyer, a mechanical engineer, worked in wind energy before joining the Greens in 2011. The 38-year-old worked as a local politician for the southwestern English city of Bristol for nine years. In 2021 she was elected co-leader of the Greens alongside Ramsay, who is also a local government politician with experience working with environmental charities.
How many seats did the Greens win in the last election?
1
What is the Green Party promising?
Phase out nuclear power and get the UK to net zero emissions by 2040. The Greens have pledged to invest £24 billion a year in insulating homes and £40 billion a year in the green economy, paid for by a carbon tax, a new wealth tax on the super-rich and income tax rises for millions of high-income earners.
