Exit Polls Suggest Major Loss for PM Rishi Sunak in UK General Election

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces a potential defeat as Labour Party's Keir Starmer is predicted to win by a large margin. The exit poll, released on Thursday as polling stations closed, suggests Labour could secure up to 410 seats, surpassing the 326-seat majority mark. The Conservative Party may drop to just 131 seats.

Earlier on Thursday, Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty voted in Richmond and Northallerton, Yorkshire. Starmer and his wife Victoria cast their votes in Camden, north London. Both leaders were among the first voters along with millions across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Labour's Strong Lead

Throughout the six-week campaign, Starmer's Labour Party maintained a significant lead over the Tories. Sunak struggled against voter dissatisfaction after 14 years of Conservative rule. Sunak urged voters not to give Labour a supermajority, while Starmer downplayed the possibility of a landslide victory to avoid low turnout.

Polling experts predict a low turnout compared to the 67% in the December 2019 general election. In that election, Boris Johnson won 365 seats with an 80-seat majority. Labour secured 202 seats, SNP 48, Lib Dems 11, DUP eight, Sinn Fein seven, Plaid Cymru four, SDLP two, Alliance party one, and Greens one.

First Results Declared

Labour's wins began with Houghton and Sunderland in north-east England declaring Bridget Phillipson as the victor. Counting continued across the country. Sunak thanked Conservative candidates and supporters on social media: "To the hundreds of Conservative candidates, thousands of volunteers and millions of voters: Thank you for your hard work, thank you for your support, and thank you for your vote."

The UK has a five-year general election cycle. Sunak had until January 2025 to call an election but opted for a surprise summer election on July 4. This was his first time seeking voter mandate after becoming Tory leader and Britain's first Indian heritage Prime Minister in October 2022.

Wide Range of Candidates

Candidates from various parties contested in 650 constituencies across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Besides Labour and Conservatives, voters chose from Liberal Democrats, Green Party, SNP, SDLP, DUP, Sinn Fein, Plaid Cymru, Workers Party, Reform Party, and Independents.

Starmer expressed gratitude on social media: "To everyone who has campaigned for Labour in this election, to everyone who voted for us and put their trust in our changed Labour Party — thank you." His future as Conservative leader is uncertain following these results.

Around 40,000 polling booths operated nationwide from 7 am local time for approximately 46 million registered voters. They marked their chosen candidate on paper ballots. The general election was also Keir Starmer's first test at the ballot box since taking over from Jeremy Corbyn after Labour's defeat in 2019.

Sunak continued his campaign message on X: "Can you trust Labour with a supermajority?" He faced an uphill battle against voter anger towards the incumbent Tories. The exit poll results indicate a significant shift in political power in the UK.

The final results will reveal whether Labour's predicted victory holds true and what it means for the future leadership of both major parties.