As polls open, party leaders join millions across UK to vote
3 Min Read
Several UK leaders and politicians have headed to the polls to exercise their civil right and duty to vote in the general elections.
-
A woman holds a voting card as she arrives to vote in London in local elections, on May 2, 2024. (AP)
Voting for the United Kingdom general election began on Thursday morning, with polls suggesting a "landslide win" for the Labour Party with Keir Starmer acting as the new prime minister, ending the 14-year rule of the Conservative party.
For the first time in England, Scotland, and Wales, voters will be required to provide photo identification before voting in person. Northern Ireland implemented voter identification back in 2002.
Politicians take to the polls
Several UK leaders and politicians have headed to the polls to exercise their civil right and duty to vote.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cast his vote at Kirby Sigston Village Hall in his Richmond and Northallerton constituency with his wife Akshata Murty, according to PA Media.
John Swinney, the first minister of Scotland, cast his vote at the Blairgowrie polling station alongside SNP candidate Dave Doogan.
Minister Swinney addressed his supporters in a pre-election rally in Leith on Wednesday evening, stating the Conservatives will be “heavily defeated” by the Labour Party, PA Media reported.
The SNP also took to social media, urging their supporters to vote, saying, “Don’t wake up on Friday thinking that you could have done more in the final days of the campaign. You can help to boost turnout at the election by messaging everyone you know to remind them to vote SNP today.”
Deputy Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Robbie Butler wrote on X that he has never missed voting since he was 18 and that he cast his vote this morning. He also urged his followers to “make sure to have your voice heard and vote for the better.”
Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, cast his vote at around 9:30 am (GMT) with his wife, Victoria. Starmer is expected to become the next potential prime minister based on pre-election polls.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer are expected to vote at about 10:30 am.
Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour Party leader and independent candidate, made an appeal for people to support his campaign in North Islington.
“We have built this campaign from nothing. We don’t have party machinery. We don’t have big donors,” Corbyn wrote on X, adding, “We have something more powerful: people.”
Corbyn shared to his followers on X that he cast his vote, stating he voted for himself.
Just voted for the independent candidate in Islington North.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) July 4, 2024
I heard he’s alright. pic.twitter.com/xLDltYLSio
Faiza Shaheen, another independent candidate in London, also took to X, expressing her optimism for a potential win.
The polls are open!
— Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen) July 4, 2024
Beautiful Chingford & Woodford Green, let’s show the world what we’ve got!
Our community and people-powered campaign could win today,
They know it and they are scared.
The Tories are finally out, let’s start a new politics#GeneralElection2024 pic.twitter.com/nkwi8poSzs
Vaughan Gething, the first minister of Wales, shared a video on X stating: “You might not be particularly shocked by this, but I think that you should vote for the Labour Party.”
Gething opposed the Conservative government due to his accusation that they “made a deliberate choice to starve Wales of investment,” reiterating his support for the Labour government.
“Happy polling day to all who celebrate this festival of democracy,” shared Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, attaching a picture of himself at the Braintree railway station.
Happy polling day to all who celebrate this festival of democracy. pic.twitter.com/iCRcwt8eOU
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) July 4, 2024
The first minister of Northern Island, Michelle O’Neill, urged “people to support progressive candidates in constituencies where Sinn Féin is not standing, ensuring the maximum number of progressive MPs are elected. Let’s work together.”
Polling stations will be open until 10 pm.
