The United Kingdom’s Next Prime Minister: Keir Starmer and the Tumultuous Period Ending with Change of Cycle

Polling stations across the United Kingdom opened at 7 a.m. local time on Thursday, marking the first time in over four and a half years that Britons have gone to vote since the parliamentary elections on December 12, 2019. In this time, three prime ministers have occupied Downing Street, an indication of a tumultuous period that, according to all polls, is set to come to an end with a change of cycle in which Labour aspires to achieve its greatest historical victory.

Barring any major surprises, it seems likely that Keir Starmer will become the next prime minister. After taking over as leader of the opposition in 2020 without much fanfare, Starmer has been steadily gaining popularity at the expense of a Conservative Party that has continued to lose support due to factors such as Brexit and Boris Johnson’s controversial management during the pandemic.

Johnson resigned from his position due to internal pressure, while Liz Truss only lasted for just over a month before being replaced by Rishi Sunak. Sunak made tightening immigration policies one of his main priorities during his tenure, despite being the son of immigrants himself. However, flagship measures such as plans for deportations to Rwanda have been met with criticism and calls into question his real management skills.

Sunak has also warned against dividing the vote and giving Starmer “a blank cheque,” arguing that doing so would make it easier for Labour to gain power. Despite this, Sunak’s good performance in televised debates has not allowed him to gain ground in the polls, which seem determined to predict a win for Starmer and Labour overall.

Starmer has called not only for victory but for a strong mandate – similar to Tony Blair’s landslide win in 1997 – and insists that it represents “the change that the United Kingdom needs” after 14 years of Conservative governments. Economic fragility, improving public health care systems and environmental commitments have been some of the major issues discussed recently; however, there are still other challenges looming ahead, including those related to Brexit such as establishing future relations with Gibraltar