London, United Kingdom - As Britain heads to the polls on Thursday, the future of Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party hangs in uncertainty. Approximately 46.5 million eligible Britons will cast their votes in this election. The electorate will choose members of Parliament across 650 constituencies, where 326 seats are needed for a majority under the first-past-the-post system.
Sunak, aged 44, faces widespread voter discontent with the long-standing Conservative rule of 14 years. Throughout the six-week campaign, he has trailed significantly behind Keir Starmer, aged 61, who leads the Labour Party. Both leaders concluded their campaign pitches with contrasting appeals: Sunak cautioned against granting Labour a "supermajority" that could lead to increased taxes, while Starmer tempered expectations of a landslide victory, wary of a potential low turnout affecting the election's outcome.
There are 650 Seats across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, 650 seats are up for grabs. A party needs 326 seats for a parliamentary majority.
A record-breaking 4,515 candidates are contesting from 98 different parties. Notably, 459 are independents, and women make up 30 percent of the candidates. Among them, 29 are joke candidates, including 22 from the "Official Monster Raving Loony Party". David is the most common name among candidates.
The youngest contenders are 18-year-olds Pedro Da Conceicao and Adam Wayne Joseph Gillman, while the oldest is 86-year-old John Hugh Morris.
Over 46 million voters were registered in December 2023, with expectations of a rise closer to the election. For the first time, UK citizens residing abroad for over 15 years are eligible to vote.
40,000 Polling Stations: Approximately 40,000 polling stations are spread nationwide, ranging from traditional venues to unconventional spaces like pubs, a ship, a beehive centre, a cricket field, and a fossil museum.
15 Tory Ministers at Risk
YouGov polling indicates that at least 15 Conservative ministers, including finance secretary Jeremy Hunt and defence secretary Grant Shapps, are at risk of losing their seats.
£13 Million in Donations
During the initial three weeks of campaigning, political parties received approximately £13 million ($16.4 million) in donations. The Labour Party received the highest sum of £8.4 million, compared to the Conservatives' £1.2 million.
Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey engaged in seven water-themed campaign stunts, aiming to draw attention to environmental issues, including cleaning up polluted waterways.
According to government surveys, only 12 percent of Britons trust political parties, down from 20 percent in 2022. Trust in the government stands at 27 percent, and fewer than a quarter trust the House of Commons.
As the election unfolds, these numbers and trends will shape voter turnout and the political landscape for years to come.
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