That way, this will mark the end of 14 years of often turbulent Conservative rule. The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat in the UK parliamentary elections on Friday that he described as a “difficult night”.
Keir Starmer is expected to be Britain’s next prime minister because his centre-left Labour Party is predicted to win a significant majority in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
Sunak said, “I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.” He said this after winning his parliamentary seat in northern England.
Labour’s landslide is an earthquake that has shaken UK politics. Some factors explaining why the Conservative Party suffered such a historic defeat are:
Voter fatigue and historical trends
According to Wall Street Journal report, voter fatigue was one major reason for the Conservative Party’s loss. No British political party has ever won a fifth successive term in office.
It’s just that British politics moves in cycles – usually two main parties get about 10-15 years before there is a shift either way at the ballot box.
The Tories ruled from 1979 until 1997, Labour from 1997 through 2010, and then Tories again ever since. It’s just time for voters to choose differently.
Economic record and policy missteps
Their economic record is also undoing them Todays tax hike has brought back Nigel Farage who left Britain’s political scene after Brexit referendum with Reform UK .
Polls show Reform claiming about 15% of the vote, draining support from the Conservatives. He wants to take over the Tories after election,” Farage said.
“It’s been pretty difficult obviously,” says Steve Baker, a Conservative lawmaker. Many MPs worry that if their number dwindles substantially post-election day it could lead to dissolution or surrendering themselves to Farage.
Several scandals
Conservative support crashing down brings an end to its political arc since 2010. This erosion of voter trust can be linked to a number of different scandals, such as Boris Johnson being caught partying during Covid-19 lockdowns or Liz Truss causing a market selloff through unfunded tax cuts.
Sunak, brought in to limit the damage, struggled to connect with the public. “How can a prime minister who is richer than the king relate to any of our needs and struggles?” asked a woman on a talk show last week. In response, Sunak told her: Sophie, when it comes to food banks I am always incredibly grateful to those who support them”.
The emergence of Labour Party
Under Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour has come up with an alternative vision that promises dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, investing in public services and offering more competent and ethical government.
Starmer moved the party back towards the centre-right which was electable again by removing Jeremy Corbyn and tackling anti-Semitism within its ranks.
Dominic Grieve who worked closely with Starmer as DPP. While he was Conservative attorney-general said he “inspires loyalty because he comes across as being so transparently decent and rational”.
“These are quite important features even if you disagree with a policy. And he comes across as man of moderation,” he told The Times.
Rishi Sunak: The ‘fall guy’.
What was shocking is that Sunak, even members of his own party included, called for an early election in May, despite the fact that the Conservatives were trailing Labour by approximately 20 points in opinion polls. He expected this gap to close as was usual during British elections but instead faced a disastrous campaign.
Sunak kicked off on a wrong foot when he announced the vote outside Downing Street getting wet with rain. Other issues ensued including gambling scandal involving the aides and Conservative candidates plus criticism of Sunak’s early departure from D-Day commemorative events in France.
‘We deserved to lose’, Ed Costello said. Reuters reported him saying that, “The Conservative Party just appears exhausted and out of ideas… It is not Rishi Sunak’s fault though. It is Boris Johnson and Liz Truss who have led the party into disaster. Rishi Sunak is just the fall guy.”
Is UK an outlier in Europe? The broader political context
At a time when what some term as a surge of right-wing populism dominates much of Europe. United Kingdom has shifted left and Labour Party has won. Last month saw European Elections hold whereby more neo-Nazi representatives than ever before secured places in the European Parliament.
In Netherlands for instance a government consisting largely if not wholly of far-right individuals was formed this week.
Currently however, Italy has its most right wing leader since Benito Mussolini ruled during fascist wartime period. In European nations; electoral victories by and chances that populist rightists will take power are no longer seen as surprising.
But does this mean it will be like that forever?
The British right certainly did not die with their projected seat count. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK performed better than expected in polling numbers and will shape debate on where the Conservative Party goes next.
Even while splitting his own support base, it seems possible that Starmer might have actually increased his majority in the British Parliament, according to a CNN report.
“Britain has many of the same problems as other European countries. Should Starmer not succeed in his tenure as Prime Minister. It is possible that popular right could also continue to catch people’s attention, much like it has happened in Europe”.
What they are saying
“I am sorry. I take responsibility for the loss,” Sunak said while conceding defeat. “Today power will change hands peacefully and orderly manner with goodwill on all sides. That should give us all confidence in our country’s stability and future.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer proclaimed that the UK was “ready for change”. “The change begins right here, because this is your democracy, your community and your future. You have voted. It is now time for us to deliver,” he said after being re-elected to his seat in north London.
Nigel Farage whose Reform UK party supported Brexit from right wing perspectives won four seats including one for himself. “There’s a massive gap on the center right of British politics and my job is to fill it, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do,” he stated.
“Tonight it is as clear as the crystal that Labour did not win this election but rather the Conservatives lost it,” Grant Shapps, defence minister, said when he was unseat.
What’s next?
The Conservative Party will have to rebuild and possibly redefine itself after this electoral defeat.
Reform UK’s emergence represents that there still is a huge chunk of electorate with hard right sentiment. The impact of Farage might pull the Conservative party further rightward, making things more complicated for Labour in terms of politics and redefining UK political dynamics.
With power shifting over to Labour, they would be face with challenges. Which include addressing economic and social issues that contributed to Conservative Party collapse while at the same time trying to deal with growing populist sentiments within the country.
