UK Election 2024 Highlights: ‘Labour Party set for landslide win’

An exit poll suggests the Labour Party is headed for a huge majority in Britain's election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. (AP)

UK Election 2024 Live Highlights: Keir Starmer is set to become Britain's next prime minister, with Labour expected to win a large majority in the parliamentary election, according to an exit poll on Thursday. Rishi Sunak's Conservatives are predicted to face significant losses. The poll indicated Labour would win 410 seats in the 650-seat parliament, ending 14 years of Conservative-led rule.

The value of the pound remained steady, as traders had already expected a Labour win. It was trading around $1.2758 and 84.74 pence per euro just before the exit poll. Financial markets had already adjusted for a Labour government with a strong majority in parliament to support its centre-left policies.

The United Kingdom began voting on Thursday, with polling stations open from 7 am until 10 pm (0600-2100 GMT).

Detailed results are expected early Friday.

Opinion polls for this year's UK Election indicated that the centre-left Labour Party is poised for a historic victory in 2024 election. On the final day of campaigning, both Labour leader Starmer and Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned voters of severe economic repercussions should the other candidate win.

Who is Labour Party's candidate Keir Starmer?

Keir Starmer, 61, a Labour Party candidate standing against Rishi Sunak in the UK Election 2024, assumed leadership of the party in 2020 following its worst electoral defeat in 84 years in 2019 under veteran left-wing figure Jeremy Corbyn. He focused on shaping Labour as a party known for competence and pragmatism rather than being driven primarily by ideology. Starmer, a former human rights lawyer who ascended to become Britain's top prosecutor, entered parliament in 2015 and served as Corbyn's spokesperson on Brexit. He was named after Keir Hardie, the founder of the Labour Party.

Starmer's campaign has centred on a simple promise of 'change', which resonates with public dissatisfaction over Britain's strained public services and declining living standards. These are symptoms of a sluggish economy and political uncertainty.

Key points to know

- The United Kingdom voted on Thursday to decide on Sunak's 20 months in office and the four Conservative prime ministers before him. They were widely expected to do something they have not done since 2005: elect a Labour Party government.

- British general elections are determined by individual votes in 650 districts, each representing a seat in the House of Commons. A party needs 326 seats for a majority, though about 320 seats typically suffice because the speaker and three deputies do not vote. Northern Ireland’s Sinn Fein abstains from taking their seats in Westminster.

- The Rupert Murdoch-owned British tabloid newspaper The Sun endorsed Labour and Starmer on Wednesday, stating in an online editorial: “It’s time for a change.”

- Sunak has tried to convince voters that his 20 months in office have set the economy on a positive trajectory following the external shocks of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, and has marked the end of years of turmoil under his Conservative predecessors. Facing an approximately 20-point deficit in opinion polls against Labour, Sunak turned to former prime minister Boris Johnson—the man he helped oust in 2022—inviting him to speak at a late-night Conservative rally on Tuesday.

- Many election experts predict a low voter turnout, below the 67% recorded in 2019. However, this election could bring significant change to Britain if it results in a large Labour majority and a weakened Conservative Party.

(With inputs from agencies)