Who are the main protagonists in the national elections in Britain?

2024-07-02 22:53:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Who are the main protagonists in the national elections in Britain?

Illustrative photo, source AP

Millions of voters in Britain will head to the polls on Thursday to elect a new parliament and government.

Voters will elect 650 legislators in as many constituencies and the prime minister will become the head of the party that will secure the highest number of legislators.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's conservatives are widely expected to lose to the main opposition party, the center-left Labor Party, after 14 years in power under five different prime ministers.

Traditionally, the Conservatives and Labor dominate British politics due to the first-past-the-post electoral system that makes it difficult for smaller parties to gain representation in Parliament.

But also in the running are the Liberal Democrats, the UK Reform Party, the Scottish National Party and the Greens.

Below is a summary of what the parties are, who leads them and what promises they are making.

THE CONSERVATIVES

Who is their leader? Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Mr Sunak, 44, came to power in October 2022 when he inherited a Conservative Party and an economy in deep uncertainty after a short government by Prime Minister Liz Truss. An Oxford graduate and former banker at the investment firm Goldman Sachs, he is Britain's first black leader and the first of the Hindu faith to become prime minister. Mr. Sunak has emphasized that he is the man who brought the situation under control, but critics say that he lacks political judgment and does not know what the voters want.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a stop within the framework of the election campaign in Banbury, Britain. July 2, 2024. Source, AP

How many mandates did they win in the last election? 365

What are they promising? Stronger economy and tax cuts of around £17 billion a year. Increase public health spending as well as increase defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030. His party vows to limit the number of immigrants and deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda.

LABOR

Who is their leader? Keir Starmer.

The 61-year-old barrister, former chief prosecutor for England and Wales, has the best chance of being Britain's next leader. A more moderate and pragmatic Labour, Mr Starmer has gone to great lengths to distance his party from the outspoken policies of former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn and smooth out internal divisions. His critics say he is unmotivated and unambitious, but Labor has increased public support under his leadership.

Labor Party leader Keir Starmer during an election campaign meeting, Norton Canes, Britain. 2 July 2024. Source, Reuters

How many mandates did they win in the last election? 202

What are they promising? They are driving investment and improving Britain's infrastructure, such as the railways, under a 10-year strategy. They are promising to set up a state-owned clean energy company to boost energy security, which would be funded by a windfall tax on oil and gas giants. Taxes on private schools will pay for thousands of new teachers in public schools. They also promise to reduce the waiting time to receive health services, which is estimated to be extremely high.

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Who is their leader? Ed Davey.

Mr Davey, 58, was first elected to parliament in 1997. The former economist served as Energy and Climate Change Secretary during the uneasy governing coalition between the Tories and the Liberal Democrats from 2012 to 2015. Mr Davey became leader of the centre-left Liberal Democrats in 2019 and was not a household name until this election, when he hit the headlines with some rather unusual tactics, including throwing rope from a height to encourage voters to take a "leap of faith" and vote for his party.

Liberal Democrat Party leader Ed Davey in the Cotswolds, Britain. 1 July 2024. Source, Reuters

How many mandates did they win in the last election? 11

What are they promising? Improving Britain's health and social care systems, including free nursing care at home. Investment in renewable energy and good insulation of houses. Lowering the voting age to 16. Returning to the internal market of the European Union.

PARTY FOR REFORM IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Who is their leader? Nigel Farage.

Mr. Farage, a polarizing figure who prides himself on his divisive role in British politics, has caused "headaches" among conservatives since he announced that he will stand for election.

The 60-year-old populist has long divided public opinion with his anti-immigration rhetoric and Eurosceptic stance. A leading Brexiteer, Mr Farage is winning support from many disillusioned Tory voters through his promises to cut immigration and focus on "British values". Zori Farage has run for parliament seven times, but has never won.

Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Reform party giving an interview after an election meeting in Birmingham, Britain. 30 June 2024. Source, Reuters

How many mandates did they win in the last election? None, although the party won its first MPs this year when former Tory deputy leader Lee Anderson defected to the UK Reform Party.

What are they promising? Stopping "non-essential immigration" and not allowing international students to bring other dependents with them. Withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights so that asylum seekers can be deported without intervention by human rights courts.

Giving up the objective to achieve the "zero carbon" effect (the elimination of the release of carbon dioxide during industrial processes), which would affect the reduction of the value of electricity bills.

SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY (SNP)

Who is their leader? John Swinney.

Mr Swinney, 60, became the party's third leader in just over a year in May. He brought stability to a party that was engulfed in uncertainty after Scotland's longest-serving former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon abruptly resigned last year amid an investigation into party funding that led to criminal charges against her husband. Mr. Swinney has been part of the party for a long time, he joined this political force at a young age and led the party from 2000-2004.

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney. Edinburgh, Britain, 22 June 2024. Source, Reuters

How many mandates did they win in the last election? 48

What are they promising? Yoti Swinney has said that if his party wins a majority of seats in Scotland, he will try to open negotiations on Scottish independence with the UK government. He wants to join the European Union and the European internal market. He has also called for increased funding for health and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

THE GREEN PARTY

Who is the leader? Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay.

Ms Denyer, a mechanical engineer by profession, joined the party in 2011. The 38-year-old has served as local representative for the city of Bristol for the past nine years. In 2021 she was elected co-leader of the Greens alongside Mr Ramsay, also a local government politician who has experience working with environmental charities.

Green Party co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay. East Sussex, England, 12 June 2024. Source, AP

How many mandates did they win in the last election? 1

What are they promising? Abandoning nuclear power and achieving the UK's "zero carbon" target by 2040. The Greens have pledged £24bn a year to insulate homes and £40bn a year of investment in the UK economy. green, which will be secured through a new wealth tax on the very rich and increased income tax on millions of high earners./ DW