UK Election Highlights: Labour expected to secure strong victory over Conservative Party

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UK Election Results Live Updates:​ Indian community predicts Labour victory, commends Rishi Sunak's performance

The Indian-origin UK residents, in a conversation with ANI, also acknowledged that Rishi Sunak has done a good job as Prime Minister, but the party will lose because of the “mess” created by his predecessors.

Indian-origin UK residents, in a conversation with ANI, expressed strong opinions about the upcoming elections, predicting a significant victory for Labour due to dissatisfaction with the Conservatives' handling of various issues, including the National Health Service. While some acknowledge Rishi Sunak's capabilities, they attribute potential Conservative losses more to past party turmoil than his leadership.

“I think if the current political trends are anything to go about and if they continue till the end of the polling day, I think Labour should come back with a resounding victory,” a UK resident said.

“What is going to happen is that they (Conservatives) are going to lose. There are some reasons for that as well. There has been a mess…they have changed so many prime ministers and the services are in a mess. The National Health Service (NHS) is in a mess and other things are in a mess. So I personally believe that Labour should come back with a victory,” he added.

“He (Rishi Sunak) is a good prime minister. Unfortunately, if the Conservatives lose, which sounds sure, it’s not because of him. It’s because of the mess that the others made. Because he is a very good Prime Minister, he didn’t have enough time as well, because when he came as Prime Minister, there was only a year or something left for the next elections as well. So I would personally love to see him as the Prime Minister,” he told ANI.

“I am definitely sure if Labour came, it would support us. Rishi Sunak is a nice person. But it’s a Labour wave, so Labour will come in. Basically, I support both but definitely Labour is beneficial for us,” said Indian-origin woman Brinda.

“So we’re not going to see Rishi Sunak this time? No, definitely not,” said another UK resident.

(ANI)

UK Election Results Live Updates:​Rishi Sunak calls to block Labour Supermajority, urges to support Conservatives

UK PM and Conservatives leader Rishi Sunak tweets: Stop the Labour supermajority. Vote Conservative.

If Labour are handed a blank cheque, they will use their supermajority to tax you more for the rest of your life.

UK Election Results Live Updates:​Voter ID law takes effect across UK

UK General Election sees first-ever mandatory Voter ID requirement

Voter ID Law implemented across UK for the first time in General Election

Boris Johnson's Elections Act enforces Voter ID requirement across England, Scotland, and Wales

UK elections 2024 LIVE updates: England's Euro 2024 camp "politics-free zone" amid General Election

France's players have been vocal at Euro 2024 with calls to get out to vote in parliamentary elections. The England team, not so much.

"'Politics-free zone' was defender John Stones' verdict on the England camp Thursday as Britain held a general election.

"I couldn't tell you about the other lads. I'm sure it'll be something that'll get brought up tonight, later on, but I couldn't tell you who they vote for. They keep it close to their chests," he said.

UK Election Results Live Updates:​UK's Office of Communications imposes ban on political discourse on polling day

On UK polling day, strict rules by UK's Office of Communications (Ofcom) enforce a ban on political discussions and analysis from 7 am until polls close at 10 pm.

No opinion poll results can be published until polling stations close to avoid influencing voters' decisions.

Thursdays are the designated polling days in the UK, a tradition stemming from historical reasons related to worker paydays and weekend activities.

Results typically start coming in close to midnight, with a final outcome expected by around 10 am the next day.

The losing party leader visits Buckingham Palace to concede defeat, followed by the winning party leader being invited to form a new government by the British monarch.

In case of a hung Parliament, traditional procedures may be disrupted as negotiations for coalition governments ensue behind closed doors.

UK Election Results Live Updates:​ UK's debt-to-GDP ratio looms large in election focus, says S&P Global

The UK's stretched finances are "the elephant in the room" in this election given the UK's near 100% debt-to-GDP ratio, S&P Global says.

"We are interested in the balance between revenue and expenditure adjustments, which will enable them (new government) to improve the underlying fiscal position," S&P's Frank Gill explained.

"But still, there are questions about the composition of consolidation over the next few years... We try to take a view on the sustainability of the fiscal mix. What's really achievable and what's not," said Gill.

UK elections 2024 LIVE updates: Labour's shift in mindset towards City of London reflects continuity in financial reforms, Says think-tank

"The most important change is that there has been a big shift in mindset by Labour towards the City in the past few years," William Wright, managing director of think-tank New Financial told Reuters.

"That is reflected in a strong sense of continuity in the reforms to capital markets and pensions underway," Wright said.

"The industry has had positive and constructive conversations with Labour since 2019. If they win, very few new governments will have entered office better briefed on what our ecosystem needs to help act as a dynamo for growth and competitiveness," said Miles Celic, chief executive of TheCityUK, which represents the UK financial sector globally.

"It's pretty simple really, business wants certainty," said Naresh Aggarwal, associate policy & technical director at the Association of Corporate Treasurers.

UK Election Results Live Updates:​ London stock market and Pound rise

London's stock market and the pound advanced versus the dollar Thursday as Britons voted in a general election.

In UK company news, shares in British medical equipment maker Smith & Nephew rallied seven percent after Swedish activist investor Cevian snapped up a five-percent stake.

Key figures around 1100 GMT:

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.8 percent at 8,239.11 points

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2760 from $1.2737

UK elections 2024 LIVE updates: Nigel Farage's supporters rally in Clacton-on-Sea for Reform UK victory

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's supporters are out in force in Clacton-on-Sea to ensure he wins his first seat in parliament, a step, he says, towards his Reform UK party shaking up British politics as Marine Le Pen's National Rally is doing in France.

"A few bad apples" were accepted as candidates after the party "begged for (volunteers) at the last minute", he said, pledging to professionalise a party that is expected to win several seats in what will be its second election.

Farage says he is playing the long game, with his sights set on the next scheduled election in five years' time.

"This is our first significant step towards a much longer-term goal, which is aiming at 2029, but also is aiming at building a mass movement for common sense across the country." Farage, 60, told Reuters.

UK elections 2024 LIVE updates: King Charles expresses deep sadness over Hurricane Beryl's devastation in the Caribbean

“My family and I are profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful destruction across the Caribbean caused by Hurricane Beryl. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of those who tragically lost their lives,” the king said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.

UK elections 2024 LIVE updates: Labour's Ilford South candidate Jas Athwal says, "Change will only happen if we vote for it'

Labour’s candidate for Ilford South, Jas Athwal, said, “Polls are now open – it’s time to have our say & vote for the future we want for our country. Change will only happen if we vote for it.”

UK elections 2024 LIVE updates: Who are the team set to govern Britain if Labour wins?

Several opinion polls have indicated a landslide victory for the Labour Party in the 2024 UK parliamentary elections. Predictions suggest the party is set to end the 14-year Conservative Party rule. The Labour Party has pitted Keir Starmer against Rishi Sunak, who is seeking a second term in office.

According to a Reuters report, here is the team set to govern Britain if Labour wins:

Keir Starmer, Labour Leader

Took charge in 2020, former prosecutor, aims for a pragmatic Labour Party

Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader

Elected in 2020, former care worker and trade unionist, possible Deputy PM

Rachel Reeves, Finance Policy Chief

Economist, set to become finance minister, advocates 'securonomics'

David Lammy, Foreign Affairs Policy Chief

Campaigner for social justice, promotes 'progressive realism'

Ed Miliband, Energy Security and Net Zero Policy Chief

Former Labour leader, focuses on environmental and climate issues

Yvette Cooper, Home Affairs Policy Chief

Senior roles since 1997, focuses on law and order

Jonathan Reynolds, Business Policy Chief

Elected in 2010, focuses on green energy and industrial strategy

UK elections 2024 LIVE updates: Nigel Farage casts vote

As voting for the parliamentary elections continues across the United Kingdom to pick the next Prime Minister, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage excerciesed his franchise.

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: Election set to deliver more diverse Parliament, high number of British Indian MPs

The UK general election on Thursday is expected to deliver the most diverse Parliament in the country's history, including in the number of parliamentarians of Indian heritage likely to be elected from across the nation.

According to an analysis by the British Future think tank, the Labour Party is set to have by far the largest number of ethnic minority MPs if the party wins an overall majority and even more in a landslide scenario.

With around 14 per cent of MPs coming from an ethnic minority background this time, the analysis finds that the new Parliament will be closer than ever to reflecting the diversity of the British electorate.

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: Rishi Sunak urges voters to stop Labour's supermajority

Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak has called on voters to participate in the ongoing UK parliamentary elections. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the incumbent Prime Minister urged voters to support the Conservatives to block a Labour supermajority.

Sunak, who has been serving as the UK Prime Minister since October 2022, is seeking a second consecutive term.

However, multiple opinion polls are predicting a significant victory for Labour Party candidate Keir Starmer.

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: Doug Beattie casts his ballot

Doug Beattie, Ulster Unionist Party leader voted at Seagoe Primary School in Portadown, Northern Ireland.

UK is voting for the first time since 2019 parliamentary elections to choose new government. Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak, who served as Britian PM since October 2022 is running for reelection. Sunak is being challenged by Labour leader Keir Starmar.

The voting will continue till 22:00 (local time) with first results expected in an hour.

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: Keir Starmer casts vote

Labour leader Keir Starmer arrived at Willingham Tenants Hall in Kentish Town, north London, to cast his ballot. The former prosecutor was accompanied by his wife, Victoria. Starmer, who is challenging incumbent Rishi Sunak, is anticipating a significant victory in Thursday's vote, which could bring an end to 14 years of Conservative Party government.

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: John Swinney casts vote

John Swinney, Scottish First Minister and SNP leader cast his vote at Burrelton Village Hall in the village of Burrelton in Blairgowrie.

Voting for UK general election is underway at as many as 40,000 polling stations across Wales, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland to pick 650 members of Parliament

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: London markets climb as voting underway for general elections

London markets gained Thursday as voting began in the UK with opinion polls predicting a historic win for the Labour party.

The UK's FTSE 100 rose 0.5% as markets waited to see just how large a majority the Labour Party might get.

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: Key factors for voters

Voters across the UK will be focusing on issues such as the economic crisis, the influx of migrants, and crime, among other factors. Meanwhile, various polls indicate that Sunak’s Conservatives are likely to lose to the main opposition party, the left-of-center Labour. Read the full story

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: Who is Labour leader Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer is expected to sweep the UK general election and oust incumbent Rishi Sunak from power, according to pre-poll projections, paving the way for the return of the Labour Party after 14 years of Conservative rule. Read the full story.

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: The numbers

A party needs to win 326 seats to get a majority of two, 327 for a majority of four, and so on.

England and Wales have primarily seen battles between Labour (red) and the Conservatives (blue).

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: When to expect the results

Counting will begin straight after polls close at 22:00 BST. The Ballot boxes from the 650 constituencies will be transported to counting stations from the polling stations.

While the majority of seats are expected to be announced before 9:00 (local time) Friday morning, the first results are likely to be declared around 23:00 (local time) Thursday.

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: Rishi Sunak casts vote

Britain Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cast his vote in New Yorkshire Thursday. Sunak, accompanied by wife Akshata Murthy cast his vote soon after the polls were opened across UK.

Millions of Britons are expected to turn up to cast their vote in the snap parliamentary elections called by Sunak.

UK polls 2024 LIVE updates: Voting begins in general elections

Voting for the high-stake UK general elections 2024 began on Thursday. Millions are expected to turn out to cast their vote at as many as 40,000 polling stations across Scotland, England, Wales and Nothern Ireland.

The voters appear eager for change after 14-years of Conservative government's rule.

Counting for votes begin soon after the polls close.