An exit poll suggests that the UK’s Labour Party is on track to secure a historic landslide victory in the 2024 parliamentary election. The poll indicates that Labour has amassed a significant lead, securing over 250 seats with more than half of the 650 constituencies declared.
The governing Conservative Party, on the other hand, has struggled to regain footing after 14 years of economic and political upheaval, with a meager 44 seats won so far. The Liberal Democrats, another left-of-center party, have managed to win 32 seats.
In a significant upset, the hard-right Reform UK party has won four seats, with its leader Nigel Farage victorious in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea. This marks his eighth attempt at gaining parliamentary representation.
Farage claimed that his party was set to perform well, stating, “We are going to come second in hundreds of constituencies.” While it is unclear how many seats Reform will ultimately win, it is evident that the party has tapped into a significant portion of voters, attracting support from both Conservatives and Labour alike.
In a development that highlights the challenges facing the Labour Party, prominent party member Jonathan Ashworth lost his seat in Leicester South to an independent candidate whose campaign focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ashworth, a favored candidate to join the Cabinet, lost nearly 20,000 votes compared to the previous election.
Labour leader Keir Starmer, who retained his own seat in north London, spoke to supporters, emphasizing the need for “public service” and “change.” Starmer conceded that the party has work to do to address the concerns of its supporters and attract new voters.
Jeremy Corbyn, who was suspended from Labour over accusations of antisemitism, successfully held onto his seat in north London as an independent candidate.
Grant Shapps, the UK’s Defense Secretary and a high-profile Conservative, has also lost his seat to a Labour opponent in Welwyn Hatfield. Shapps had been seen as a potential leadership candidate, and his defeat marks a significant setback for the ruling party.
