UK Election Exit Polls Show Labour Winning in Landslide

The Labour Party of Keir Starmer achieved a historic “supermajority” in the British elections against the Conservative Party of Rishi Sunak, as per exit polls. The Labour leader, set to take over as Prime Minister on Friday, hailed a “new era of hope” after 14 years of Conservative governments marked by austerity, Brexit, and chaos under five successive prime ministers. Polls suggested a landslide victory for Starmer, comparable to Tony Blair’s win over John Major in 1997, with projections indicating Labour could win up to 410 of the 650 seats, compared to 131 for the Tories and 61 for the Liberal Democrats. Populist leader Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party was set to enter Westminster with 13 MPs.

Starmer managed to turn most of England and Wales red and solidify his lead against the Scottish National Party. The exit poll confirmed the collapse of the Conservative Party, with its lowest number of MPs since 1935 and only 16% of the vote in London and 18% in their traditional “blue wall” in the south of England. The first official victory of the night was Labour MP Bridget Phillipson’s win in Sunderland, setting the tone for the evening’s electoral battles.

Starmer expressed gratitude to his team and campaign volunteers and emphasized the trust people have placed in a changed Labour Party. Promising “change,” “stability,” and “economic growth,” Starmer’s agenda focuses on cautious progress. In contrast, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced challenges, including a hurried election announcement, absence from key events, and a betting scandal. Sunak’s Conservative Party experienced a collapse in support, with media acknowledging the Labour “avalanche” and the drain of votes to Reform UK led by Nigel Farage.

The Liberal Democratic Party celebrated a significant gain in Parliament, while the SNP saw a decline in seats. Professor John Curtice noted the collapse of the Conservative Party in its historical strongholds and a rise in support for Reform UK. The slow British-style vote count provided insights into the changing political landscape.