All eyes are on the general elections in the UK, which will be held on the 4th of July. From 650 constituencies, nearly 50 million British citizens will use their democratic right to vote for candidates they want as their representatives in the House of Commons. These are also the first polls to be held since the UK’s departure from the EU. In addition to covering and experiencing the elections in Pakistan and the US, UK is the third country where I not only observe the entire democratic process, but also participate in it as a voter.
Earlier this year, many of us living abroad were deprived of our right to vote as overseas Pakistanis. The feeling of inclusion and the freedom to choose and vote sans any fear of rigging or foul play my community longs for is unknown to the first world democratic nations. When I received my poll card from UK electoral services, I asked myself whether to use this right (which is more of a privilege) and step out to cast my vote or do otherwise… Of course I haven’t been here very long. And I am still acclimatising to not just the rainy and wintry weather, but the political climate as well.
The issues facing the country are of an entirely different nature, and if the new government would not address them in the way they are required to be handled, then a slow and silent downfall for the country is imminent. Furthermore, making a sensible choice has never been this easy as everything about all the political candidates and their parties is all out in the open – their past performances, the empty pledges, the unfulfilled promises, the failure to deliver, the blunders and errors, how an individual MP or the entire party chose to prioritise an issue and of course, the connection with an average voter or lack thereof.
According to the most recent YouGov surveys, 45 per cent of voters from all age groups say cost of living crisis is the most crucial factor for them. Next comes health, as 43 per cent of voters said they would vote for a party that would prioritise the nearly fractured healthcare system of the country where as per a BBC News Investigation, the hidden NHS waiting list peaked at over 7 million patients awaiting urgent or follow-up treatments. Economy is the third most important issue as 26 per cent voters (mostly Conservatives) believe ‘economy in general’ is what will decide their vote. Also, 26 per cent voters, mostly Conservatives and Reform UK, consider immigration and asylum to be a top issue for them. Over all, there is a prominent generational gap in priorities and issues between the younger and the older voters – the former focus on cost of living, housing, climate change and conflict in Gaza whereas the latter is concerned about immigration, economy, and pensions.
Brexit – the elephant in the room and its after-effects are given a silent treatment in the election campaign. In his article for The Independent, former Conservative deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine stated that, “Brexit is now the ‘elephant in the room’ that the main parties refuse to acknowledge… no key problem affecting the country can be ‘honestly addressed’ without considering the impact of leaving the EU.” The Centre for European Reform has estimated that the UK annual tax revenues would have been about £40bn higher if the country had not left the EU. The ongoing avoidance of Brexit’s consequences in political discourse suggests a disconnect between political narratives and voter experiences. This disconnect may lead to voter apathy and frustration, as their real concerns about the economic and social impacts of Brexit are not being addressed. Additionally, the polarisation around Brexit highlights the challenge for political leaders to bridge divides and engage in constructive dialogue about the future relationship with the EU and domestic policies to mitigate Brexit’s negative effects. This gap between political rhetoric and voter reality underscores the need for more honest and pragmatic discussions in the UK’s political arena.
Some political analysts argue that the upcoming general election will disproportionately target young people. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s proposal to bring back the mandatory National Service suggests for 18-year-olds to serve in one of the armed forces, which is seen as a return to outdated policies and is also criticised by military leaders.
The proposal is part of the Conservative Party’s effort to bolster its security credentials and appeal to older voters, while side-lining young people. On the other hand, Labour is likely to exploit this generational divide, positioning itself as the responsible party and dismissing ambitious policies like rent controls. Here we see the two leading parties, to their advantage, are using generational and cultural divide as a tool, as they are seen as engaging in a broader cultural and generational conflict, ignoring young people’s aspirations and worsening their socio-economic conditions.
The survey also shows that the popularity of the Tories is at an all-time low. So much so that Larry the Cat who is the Chief Mouser of the Cabinet Office appears to have more favourable ratings than them. Any remaining doubts about the outcome of general elections were dispelled after PM Rishi Sunak’s D-Day disrespectful disaster – another addition to the ever-growing list of mistakes and blunders of his party.
Labour Party’s significant lead is one of the key factors that make these General Elections stand out. Despite tensions within the party and some public backlash following Diane Abbott episode, – where she said that racist experiences of black people are different than that of Jewish, Irish, Traveller – the polling shows that 82 per cent of voters were unaffected, with some even more likely to support Labour Party. Keir Starmer’s evasiveness and eventual decision to let Diane Abbott, who is the first black woman and also the longest serving black MP, stand as a candidate did not significantly alter Labour’s lead in the polls. Labour’s national vote share remains stable at 44 per cent, with a 24-point lead over the Conservatives. Yet, their ability to deliver on their promises and to satisfy the expectations of their voters is a matter of future debate. Only time will tell if they will fulfil their promises, if, they win the election.
The contributor is an independent writer and filmmaker based in UK.
UK Polls: Who Will Win the Keys to No.10?
All eyes are on the general elections in the UK, which will be held on the 4th of July. From 650 constituencies, nearly 50 million British citizens will use their democratic right to vote for candidates they want as their representatives in the House of Commons. These are also the first polls to be held since the UK’s departure from the EU. In addition to covering and experiencing the elections in Pakistan and the US, UK is the third country where I not only observe the entire democratic process, but also participate in it as a voter.
Earlier this year, many of us living abroad were deprived of our right to vote as overseas Pakistanis. The feeling of inclusion and the freedom to choose and vote sans any fear of rigging or foul play my community longs for is unknown to the first world democratic nations. When I received my poll card from UK electoral services, I asked myself whether to use this right (which is more of a privilege) and step out to cast my vote or do otherwise… Of course I haven’t been here very long. And I am still acclimatising to not just the rainy and wintry weather, but the political climate as well.
The issues facing the country are of an entirely different nature, and if the new government would not address them in the way they are required to be handled, then a slow and silent downfall for the country is imminent. Furthermore, making a sensible choice has never been this easy as everything about all the political candidates and their parties is all out in the open – their past performances, the empty pledges, the unfulfilled promises, the failure to deliver, the blunders and errors, how an individual MP or the entire party chose to prioritise an issue and of course, the connection with an average voter or lack thereof.
According to the most recent YouGov surveys, 45 per cent of voters from all age groups say cost of living crisis is the most crucial factor for them. Next comes health, as 43 per cent of voters said they would vote for a party that would prioritise the nearly fractured healthcare system of the country where as per a BBC News Investigation, the hidden NHS waiting list peaked at over 7 million patients awaiting urgent or follow-up treatments. Economy is the third most important issue as 26 per cent voters (mostly Conservatives) believe ‘economy in general’ is what will decide their vote. Also, 26 per cent voters, mostly Conservatives and Reform UK, consider immigration and asylum to be a top issue for them. Over all, there is a prominent generational gap in priorities and issues between the younger and the older voters – the former focus on cost of living, housing, climate change and conflict in Gaza whereas the latter is concerned about immigration, economy, and pensions.
Brexit – the elephant in the room and its after-effects are given a silent treatment in the election campaign. In his article for The Independent, former Conservative deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine stated that, “Brexit is now the ‘elephant in the room’ that the main parties refuse to acknowledge… no key problem affecting the country can be ‘honestly addressed’ without considering the impact of leaving the EU.” The Centre for European Reform has estimated that the UK annual tax revenues would have been about £40bn higher if the country had not left the EU. The ongoing avoidance of Brexit’s consequences in political discourse suggests a disconnect between political narratives and voter experiences. This disconnect may lead to voter apathy and frustration, as their real concerns about the economic and social impacts of Brexit are not being addressed. Additionally, the polarisation around Brexit highlights the challenge for political leaders to bridge divides and engage in constructive dialogue about the future relationship with the EU and domestic policies to mitigate Brexit’s negative effects. This gap between political rhetoric and voter reality underscores the need for more honest and pragmatic discussions in the UK’s political arena.
Some political analysts argue that the upcoming general election will disproportionately target young people. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s proposal to bring back the mandatory National Service suggests for 18-year-olds to serve in one of the armed forces, which is seen as a return to outdated policies and is also criticised by military leaders.
The proposal is part of the Conservative Party’s effort to bolster its security credentials and appeal to older voters, while side-lining young people. On the other hand, Labour is likely to exploit this generational divide, positioning itself as the responsible party and dismissing ambitious policies like rent controls. Here we see the two leading parties, to their advantage, are using generational and cultural divide as a tool, as they are seen as engaging in a broader cultural and generational conflict, ignoring young people’s aspirations and worsening their socio-economic conditions.
The survey also shows that the popularity of the Tories is at an all-time low. So much so that Larry the Cat who is the Chief Mouser of the Cabinet Office appears to have more favourable ratings than them. Any remaining doubts about the outcome of general elections were dispelled after PM Rishi Sunak’s D-Day disrespectful disaster – another addition to the ever-growing list of mistakes and blunders of his party.
Labour Party’s significant lead is one of the key factors that make these General Elections stand out. Despite tensions within the party and some public backlash following Diane Abbott episode, – where she said that racist experiences of black people are different than that of Jewish, Irish, Traveller – the polling shows that 82 per cent of voters were unaffected, with some even more likely to support Labour Party. Keir Starmer’s evasiveness and eventual decision to let Diane Abbott, who is the first black woman and also the longest serving black MP, stand as a candidate did not significantly alter Labour’s lead in the polls. Labour’s national vote share remains stable at 44 per cent, with a 24-point lead over the Conservatives. Yet, their ability to deliver on their promises and to satisfy the expectations of their voters is a matter of future debate. Only time will tell if they will fulfil their promises, if, they win the election.
The contributor is an independent writer and filmmaker based in UK.
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