The UK is making preparations for an early summer election, scheduled to take place on 4 July, according to an announcement made by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday.
Sunak, who leads the Conservative Party, will be seeking a fifth consecutive term in office, with the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, serving as their main rival.
Let’s take a closer look at the key figures involved in this nationwide vote.
Rishi Sunak, aged 44, is seeking his own mandate from the British public after being appointed as the Conservative leader and subsequently becoming the prime minister in October 2022, following the removal of Liz Truss from power. Truss’s economic agenda, which focused on tax cuts, caused concern in the markets and led to a loss of support within her own party, resulting in her ousting after just 49 days in office.
Sunak, who has Indian heritage, made history by becoming the UK’s first British Asian and Hindu prime minister, as he was elected unopposed by his fellow Tory MPs.
Furthermore, Sunak, who previously worked in finance, has been credited with bringing stability to the government after the turbulent premierships of Truss and Boris Johnson. He has also been praised for successfully reducing inflation. However, he has faced criticism for failing to fulfill several promises, such as reducing health waiting lists, addressing irregular immigration, and implementing a plan to send migrants to Rwanda.
Opinion polls consistently show that Keir Starmer, the leader of the main opposition Labour Party, receives some of the lowest approval ratings ever recorded for a prime minister.
His background as a human rights lawyer and chief public prosecutor has positioned him as a strong contender, with pollsters predicting his victory in the upcoming election. Since taking over as leader in April 2020, Starmer has been praised for steering his party towards the center and addressing issues of anti-Semitism.
Supporters view him as a practical and capable leader who can effectively navigate Britain’s economic challenges. However, critics argue that Starmer lacks inspiration and has failed to articulate a clear vision for the country.
Born in London to working-class parents, Starmer’s name pays homage to Keir Hardie, the founder of the Labour Party. Despite being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the justice system, Starmer rarely uses the “Sir” title.
On the other hand, Nigel Farage, a fervent Eurosceptic and notable figure in UK politics, is expected to have an impact on the election, whether as a parliamentary candidate or a television news host.
Despite not having served as a Member of Parliament before, Farage’s divisive persona and his history in the European Parliament make him a prominent figure in the political landscape.
He earned the moniker “Mr. Brexit” from former US President Donald Trump for his role in convincing a majority of Britons to vote to leave the European Union in 2016.
He has been hinting at a potential candidacy for months, likely for the right-wing populist Reform UK party, which he helped establish in 2018 and currently holds the position of honorary president.
Reform has been polling at around 10% recently, and if this trend continues, it could cost the Conservatives several crucial seats needed for re-election.
Despite his repeated failures to secure a seat in Westminster after seven attempts, Farage may believe he wields more influence as a prominent presenter for the right-wing channel GB News.
Swinney, Davey, and Denyer
Neither Ed Davey’s Liberal Democrats nor John Swinney’s Scottish National Party (SNP) are expected to win the election, but they could play a significant role in determining the outcome.
Davey, aged 58, aims to prevent a Conservative victory by securing multiple seats in southern England, with hopes of surpassing the SNP to reclaim the position as the third-largest party in parliament.
Swinney, aged 60, may not be a member of the UK parliament, but he serves as the First Minister in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, taking over the leadership of the SNP in May after Humza Yousaf’s resignation.
The SNP is facing challenges from a resurgent Labour party in Scotland, which could potentially thwart its aspirations for independence for a considerable period.
Carla Denyer, aged 38, the co-leader of the Green Party, aims to secure victory in the recently established constituency of Bristol Central. This move comes as the Green Party endeavors to expand its parliamentary presence from one member to four.
