UK Election 2024: Rishi Sunak vs. Keir Starmer for Prime Minister - Key Insights for Competitive Exam Preparation

The campaigning for the 2024 general elections in the United Kingdom concluded just hours before the nation heads to the polls on July 4. This election is poised to potentially end the Conservative Party’s 14-year governance. Current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is vying for another term, while the opposition Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, is anticipating a significant victory.

Historical Context: The Conservative Party has been in power since 2010, initially under David Cameron, followed by Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and currently Rishi Sunak. This period has been marked by significant events such as the Brexit referendum in 2016, which led to the UK’s departure from the European Union, and various economic and political challenges. The Labour Party, traditionally the main opposition, has been out of power since 2010 and is now seeking to capitalize on public dissatisfaction with the Conservatives.

Election Details:

• Date and Time: Voting will take place on July 4, from 7 am to 10 pm local time.
• Constituencies: The UK is divided into 650 constituencies.
• Opinion Polls: Indicate a strong lead for the Labour Party, suggesting a potential landslide victory.
• Result Declaration: Expected in the early hours of July 5.

Key Candidates:

• Rishi Sunak (Conservative Party): Emphasized issues such as migration and economic revival during his campaign.
• Keir Starmer (Labour Party): Focused on public fatigue with the Conservative leadership, Brexit, economic issues, and scandals involving top Conservative leaders.

Post-Election Process:

• The leader of the party with the most votes will be invited by the monarch (currently King Charles III) to form a new government.
• Opinion polls and seat projections suggest that Keir Starmer is likely to become the next Prime Minister.

Campaign Highlights:

• Labour Party: Highlighted the instability within the Conservative Party, economic challenges, and public dissatisfaction.
• Conservative Party: Aimed to mitigate losses and maintain enough seats to serve as an effective opposition.

Summary:

• Election Date: July 4, 2024
• Voting Time: 7 am to 10 pm local time
• Total Constituencies: 650
• Main Candidates: Rishi Sunak (Conservative) and Keir Starmer (Labour)
• Key Issues: Economic revival, migration, public dissatisfaction with Conservative leadership, Brexit
• Expected Outcome: Labour Party likely to win, Keir Starmer expected to become Prime Minister
• Historical Context: Conservative Party’s 14-year rule, Brexit, economic and political challenges

This comprehensive overview provides essential information for students preparing for competitive exams, offering both current election details and relevant historical context.