Richard Krauss
4. Juli 2024
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer in competition for the prime ministership
July 4, 2024 - UK - London: Today the general election will take place in Great Britain, the first in July since 1945. This election could mark the end of the 14-year Conservative government. Around 46 million voters are called upon to cast their votes between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. BST. 650 MPs will be elected for the House of Commons.
The Labour Party under Keir Starmer is well ahead of the ruling Conservatives under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the polls. Forecasts put Labour at over 40 percent of the vote, while the Conservatives will get around 20 percent. This could lead to a historic victory for Labour with over 400 seats, while the Conservatives may fall to under 140 seats.
The right-wing populist party Reform UK is also receiving special attention. Its leader Nigel Farage, a prominent Brexit supporter, could win a seat in the House of Commons for the first time in this election. Reform UK is polling at 16 to 17 percent, just behind the Conservatives.
However, due to the majority voting system, the party could receive few or no seats.
The key issues in the election campaign are the economy, the health system and migration policy. Labour promises investment in infrastructure and poverty reduction, while the Conservatives are promising tax cuts. Reform UK is calling for a reduction in net immigration and low taxes.
For the first time, voters in England, Wales and Scotland will have to show photo ID to cast their vote. The election will take place under new constituency boundaries, with England gaining 10 additional seats while Wales and Scotland lose seats.
The results are expected on Friday night. To form a majority government, a party needs more than 326 seats. This election could represent a significant political upheaval in the UK.
"First-Past-the-Post: A Simple But Controversial System" – Pros and Cons of the UK Electoral System
"First-Past-the-Post: A Simple But Controversial System" – Pros and Cons of the UK Electoral System:
The UK's majority voting system, also known as "First-Past-the-Post" (FPTP), is a major feature of the country's political landscape. The UK is divided into 650 constituencies, each of which sends one MP to the House of Commons.
Each constituency elects a representative who receives the most votes. That person is sent to Parliament regardless of whether they have achieved an absolute majority. The system favors larger parties and often leads to stable governments. The simple counting of votes speeds up the electoral process.
The UK has a method called the First-Past-the-Post system that favors clear majorities and makes it easier to form a government. The direct representation of each constituency strengthens the connection between voters and their MPs, which promotes accountability. However, the system also has critics. Smaller parties often have little chance, which limits political diversity. Another example is the underrepresentation of the Green Party, which rarely wins seats despite receiving a significant share of the vote.