UK General Election 2024: Britons to Decide Future Leadership on July 4

On July 4, the citizens of the United Kingdom will head to the polling stations to cast their votes in the upcoming general election, following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak‘s announcement of snap elections on May 22.

Recent polling data indicates a potential shift in power with the Labour Party projected to clinch a majority, ending the 14-year Conservative reign.

The UK, composed of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, boasts a population of approximately 67 million and ranks as the sixth-largest economy globally.

Polling stations will open across the UK from 7am to 10pm local time on July 4 (06:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT).

Exit polls expected around 10pm (21:00 GMT) will provide initial insights into voter preferences, with full results and seat allocation predicted to be disclosed during the early hours of Friday following the election.

The House of Commons, featuring 650 constituencies, will elect Members of Parliament via the first-past-the-post system, requiring candidates to secure the highest number of votes in each constituency to claim a seat.

A party needs to secure at least 326 seats out of 650 to attain a majority in the House of Commons and be invited by the monarch, King Charles III, to form a government.

The UK operates under a constitutional monarchy, with the executive branch led by the Prime Minister who appoints Cabinet members, overseeing various government departments.

The House of Commons and House of Lords form the two houses of Parliament, situated at the Palace of Westminster.

The General Election is marked by the dominance of two prevalent parties, the Labour Party and the Conservative Party, which have historically shaped the nation’s political landscape.

Key election issues include the economy, healthcare, immigration, housing, and environmental concerns, according to polling data collected by YouGov prior to the election.

The Conservative Party, which has ruled for the past 14 years, is represented by five different prime ministers, including Boris Johnson, who secured victory in the 2019 elections.

The Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn in 2019, has positioned itself as a prominent challenger, aiming to secure a substantial number of seats in the upcoming election.

The Government in the UK includes devolved entities such as the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments, along with the Northern Irish Assembly, each exercising varying levels of legislative power.