UK's Conservative Party expects landslide loss in snap elections
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The UK's general elections are expected to end with Rishi Sunak and the Coservatives' loss in parliament, and the Labour's win.
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Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak launches the Conservative campaign bus during a speech Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP)
As the United Kingdom's general elections near, forecasts predict a major loss for Conservatives, ending Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's time in office.
On July 4, voters are expected to hit the polls to elect 650 members of parliament, essentially determining the composition of the House of Commons and the next government.
Foreign Policy reported that projections indicate a landslide loss for Sunak, making him the first incumbent premier to lose in his own district, as well as the Conservatives, who are expected to lose more than two-thirds of their seats in parliament.
Consequently, amid intense competition between the Conservative and Labour parties, Labour leader Keir Starmer is expected to take the win.
His campaign is mostly focused on reversing the Rwanda deportation plan, imposing higher taxes on private school fees, and enhance public health services.
Starmer's presence in Europe would also serve as an advantage, former Labour advisor Mike Harris told Foreign Policy, saying "A politically dominant Starmer will attend the G-7 as a leader in total political control, in stark contrast to his counterparts in France and Germany, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz, who are facing high disapproval ratings and struggling to pursue their governing agendas."
A series of political scandals within the Conservative Party, labeled by FP’s Sasha Polakow-Suransky as the "Nightmare on Downing Street," have severely undermined its credibility.
These include Boris Johnson's resignation in 2022 following revelations of parties at Downing Street during pandemic lockdowns. Liz Truss briefly assumed leadership but quickly departed after a poorly received economic plan. Sunak has also faced scrutiny over allegations of insider betting by his staff on the timing of recent snap elections.
UK election dynamics shift amid Gaza war focus
Politico reported on Wednesday that the ongoing war on Gaza is exerting significant influence on the dynamics of the UK's electoral landscape, particularly within the Labour Party.
The report details how the issue has become a focal point in several constituencies, shaping voter sentiments and challenging party unity.
In Bradford West, Labour MP Naz Shah, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, is facing a formidable re-election campaign amid accusations of wavering party support for Gaza.
Shah, who secured a commanding 76.2% of the vote in the last election, now confronts protests and scrutiny from within her traditionally supportive Muslim community.
Zionist candidates who stand with Israel are facing backlash for their complicity in the slaughter of innocent children. @Keir_Starmer can try backtracking all he wants, but there's no way we're going to forget!
— Save Our Citizenships 🔻 (@LetsStopC9) June 14, 2024
Here’s Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West:pic.twitter.com/IQ6vECgRM7
The controversy extends beyond Shah's constituency, resonating in Labour strongholds like Bristol Central, where discontent over the party's stance on Gaza has bolstered support for alternative candidates, including the Green Party.
This shift reflects broader tensions within Labour under Keir Starmer's leadership and the challenge of finding common ground between international solidarity and domestic political realities.
