British political leaders are racing for votes in the final hours of the UK's 2024 election campaign, which could potentially mark a return to Labour government after 14 years of Conservative rule. Surveys suggest Labour may surpass its 1997 record of 418 seats under ex-leader Tony Blair.
In the UK's electoral system, voters elect representatives across 650 constituencies using a first-past-the-post system. The party securing at least 326 seats forms the government, with its leader becoming the prime minister. In cases of no majority, the incumbent prime minister typically negotiates first for a coalition government.
Major parties include Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party, Keir Starmer's Labour Party, Ed Davey's Liberal Democrats, Nigel Farage's Reform UK, John Swinney's Scottish National Party (SNP), and the Green Party co-led by Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay.
Key election issues include economic stagnation, a housing crisis, high living costs, immigration challenges, and foreign policy debates. Income growth in the UK over the past 15 years has been historically slow, shaping contrasting economic revival strategies from the Conservative and Labour parties.
Labour's Keir Starmer aims to reform the National Health Service, housing, energy, and other critical sectors, proposing to raise £7.4 billion (USD 9.4 billion) through tax hikes. In contrast, the Conservatives promise significant tax cuts amounting to £17 billion (USD 21.6 billion) annually, including reducing National Insurance contributions and introducing a mandatory salary tax.
Labour's campaign highlights public discontent with Conservative leadership turnover, Brexit fallout, economic decline, and scandals involving top officials. Conversely, Rishi Sunak focuses on immigration issues and economic recovery, cautioning against potential economic setbacks under new leadership.
The current parliament dissolved on May 30, paving the way for the upcoming election dates.
Ex-PM Boris Johnson Joins Election Campaign to Support Conservatives
Rishi Sunak's Final Appeal: Countering Labour's Surge and the Farage Factor
UK Election 2024: Labour’s Chances and Conservative Struggles, and More to Watch