Britain’s Labour Party appeared poised for a significant win on Friday in a parliamentary election, according to an exit poll and early results. Voters seemed to be punishing the ruling Conservatives after 14 years marked by economic and political turmoil.
By morning, official results indicated that Labour had secured 326 out of 650 seats, with vote counting ongoing. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had already acknowledged defeat and phoned Keir Starmer, leader of the center-left Labour Party, to congratulate him on becoming the next prime minister.
Starmer faces a disillusioned electorate eager for change amid economic challenges, growing distrust in institutions, and social tensions.
“People here and across the country have made their voices heard tonight, and they are ready for change,” Starmer told supporters in his constituency in north London after winning his own seat. “You have voted. Now it’s time for us to deliver.”
As electoral staff counted millions of ballots at centers nationwide, the Conservatives grappled with the shock of a historic loss that leaves their party in disarray and likely triggers a leadership contest to replace Sunak.
“Nothing has gone well in the last 14 years,” said London voter James Erskine, optimistic for change before polls closed. “I see this as a potential seismic shift, and that’s what I’m hoping for.”
While early results suggest Britain may buck recent rightward electoral trends in Europe seen in countries like France and Italy, similar populist sentiments remain influential in the country.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stirred the race with his party’s anti-immigrant “take our country back” message, further eroding Conservative support, already weakened by dismal prospects.
The exit poll indicated that Labour was likely to win around 410 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons, while the Conservatives were expected to secure 131 seats.
With more than half of the official results in, it became clear that Labour was heading towards a landslide victory, although final projections varied. The BBC forecasted that Labour could reach 410 seats, with the Conservatives ending up with 144. Even this higher number for the Tories would mark their lowest seat count in nearly two centuries and lead to internal chaos.
“It’s evident tonight that there will be a new government in Britain tomorrow,” said soon-to-be former Defense Secretary Grant Shapps after losing his seat, one of several Conservative Cabinet ministers defeated.
Reflecting the unsettled public sentiment and dissatisfaction with the system, some smaller parties also fared well, including the centrist Liberal Democrats and Reform UK. Nigel Farage won in Clacton-on-Sea, securing a parliamentary seat after eight attempts.
A crucial question remained whether Farage’s far-right party could translate its attention-grabbing success into more than just a few seats in Parliament.
In the British voting process, voters use paper ballots and pencils to mark their choices, which are then counted by hand. Final results are expected later on Friday morning.
Britain has faced a series of turbulent years, partly due to actions by the Conservatives and external factors, leaving many voters feeling pessimistic about the country’s future. Brexit followed by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have taken a toll on the economy. Public anger also grew over lockdown-breaching parties held by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his team.
Johnson’s successor, Liz Truss, added to the economic disruption with significant tax cuts but lasted just 49 days in office. Rising poverty and cuts to public services have fueled criticisms of a “Broken Britain.”
Many communities were battlegrounds where concerns about the economy, crumbling infrastructure, and the National Health Service often overshadowed traditional party loyalties.
In Henley-on-Thames, about 40 miles west of London, voters like Patricia Mulcahy, who is retired, sensed a desire for change across the nation. Although the area typically leans Conservative, there was a feeling that this election could bring a shift.
“The younger generation are much more interested in change,” Mulcahy said. “So, whatever happens in Henley or across the country, there will be a significant shift. But whoever wins faces a tough road ahead. It won’t be easy.”
