The incredible public opinion reflected in Britain's election is not at all sudden or surprising. Analyzes of polls and observations had already hinted that a shift in power was about to take place. It was being said from all quarters that people are angry with the work of the Tory government in the country and abroad. Everyone is expecting a change. It is revealed in the ballot box. The ruling party also accepted it with a bowed head. But no one expected that the result would make such a huge difference and give rise to the great rise of the(Whig) Labor Party in British politics.
Pilgrimage of Parliamentary Democracy the Parliament of Britain is bicameral: the House of Lords (upper house) and the House of Commons (lower house). The power of the upper house is limited to delaying the enactment of legislation. So the lower house has the real power of Parliament. The total number of seats in the lower house of the British Parliament or 'House of Commons' is 650. 326 is the 'magic number' for an absolute majority to come to power. The Labor Party ended 14 years of Conservative rule with over 410 seats this time.
Why did the ruling Conservatives do so badly in the election? This question has got analysts thinking. Britain's near-equal two-party system pits the Conservative Party against the Labor Party on equal footing. But in this election, the Conservatives managed to hold only 121 seats. Why did this happen? The number is not only far from power but also marginal in popular support. Conservatives in a conservative country like Britain have rarely been in such a delicate situation before. That is why the outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had to leave the official residence No. 10 Downing Street in such a helpless situation in this election, where the Labor Party took over the reins of British power by practically destroying the Conservative Party (Tory).
At a time when authoritarianism and warlords are on the rise worldwide, the rise to power of the relatively liberal and left-wing Labor Party in Britain has been sensational. But this is largely due to the failure of the Conservative Party's governing policies, which have greatly influenced British public opinion to bring the Labor Party to power. Britain's fragile post-Brexit economy, the rising cost of living for ordinary people, the massive deterioration of the country's renowned National Health Service (NHS), the immigration problem, and the recent rise in crime have led the British public to resent the government. They expressed their anger openly and openly in public opinion polls. They also objected to the stagnation in government policy. Many have called the Conservative Party government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stagnant.
Most objections have come against the leadership and organizational structure of the Conservative Party or the Tories. The Tories' infighting over the past five years, three prime minister changed, etc. also affected the vote this time. Traditionally the British believe in permanence and continuity. The Conservative Party could not show much hope. The people did not like the vacillating regime that was established in the country due to repeated changes of Prime Minister due to conflict in their leadership.
There is reason for the crowd to be upset. Democracy embraces permanence as a principle rather than a revolutionary approach. The Conservative Party could not provide a permanent government in Britain. The Conservative Party could not even establish stability in the governance of the country. Because, at the end of 49 days of Lease Trust's chaotic rule, Rishi Sunak of Indian origin became the Prime Minister of Britain in October 2022. Everyone hoped that he would be able to bring stability to the politics of the party and the country after the turbulent leadership of his predecessors. Under his leadership, the country's economy improved somewhat. He was able to reduce the inflation rate of 11 percent to 2 percent.
But despite some improvements, the post-Brexit economic crisis, the shock of the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war left Britain in dire straits; Rishi Sunak has not been able to offer much of a cure. Along with rising prices, rising tariffs, problems like housing shortages have added to the suffering of the British public. The government had to rush in many sectors of social welfare. That puts pressure on the masses and its effect can be seen in the Conservative Party's victory in the elections.
Five years ago, the Conservative Party campaigned for Brexit with a huge response. Boris Johnson sat in the Prime Minister's chair with an absolute majority after winning 365 of the House of Commons with the slogan 'Get Brexit Right'. But he could not spend more than two and a half years in the official residence of No. 10 Downing Street. Resigned as prime minister in July 2022 amid allegations of insurgency within the party and organizing drinking sessions in violation of covid rules. After that, Rishi became the Prime Minister of the country at the end of the 49-day prime ministerial phase of the Lease Truss.
On the other hand, the Tory government's actions on immigration have become the focus of debate. Although the country's elections are scheduled to be held by 2025, Sunak took steps to call a general election quickly to put the opposition in trouble. But this political move by him instead of saving the party put the Conservatives in more trouble.
New Prime Minister Kier Starmer promised during the election campaign that he would focus on reforms that the country needed. The Labor Party has promised no tax increases for those in employment, no increases to the basic, higher or additional rates of income tax, national insurance or VAT. A welfare or social welfare related and public welfare matters. His speech has managed to instill hope among voters and attract their votes.
Kier Starmer demanded that special attention be given to the country's National Health Service to ease people's suffering, with incentives for health workers to work outside working hours. He said that Sunak's immigration policy will also be rejected. Arguably, many of the policies of the Conservative Party will be reformed by the new leader of the Labor Party. Kier Starmer's party has highlighted several issues in this election campaign. Their manifesto emphasized on many issues including recruitment of teachers, taking care of women and children, creating stable employment, ensuring economic security of the country, which motivated the general voters in their favor.
However, after fourteen years in power, the big challenge in front of the Labor Party is whether it will be easy to fulfill the promises they are making in the current situation? They have to deal with many problems in the world situation and European reality. They have to forge new paths. That path is really hard. During Rishi's rule, Britain faced several difficult situations. Despite all that, public opinion was saying otherwise. The Labor Party won big, confirming the opinion polls' predictions. The Prime Minister is Keri Starmer. "Change starts today," his message to supporters after Labour's landslide victory.
Britain's vote this time was mainly fought between incumbent Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labor Party leader Kier Starmer. It was there that Kier had the last laugh defeating the Rishi’s party. He is the next prime minister of Britain. Many believe that 61-year-old politician Kier Starmer will face challenges from the start even if he becomes prime minister. The problems that the country is currently going through, he will have to face all those challenges as soon as he becomes the Prime Minister.
Kier Starmer was born in London in 1962. Raised in Oxted, Surrey. After graduation, he started his professional career as a lawyer. After that he entered politics. His father was a carpenter by profession. And the mother was associated with the National Health Service. Worked as a nurse. Starmer was very interested in studies since childhood. However, along with studies, he got involved in politics during his student life. First graduated in Law from the University of Leeds. Kier Starmer later earned a Masters degree from Oxford University.
He is the first in his family to attend university. He joined politics at the age of 16. He joined the Labor Party Young Socialists. After completing his college studies, he started working as a lawyer. He started working as a barrister in 1987. He also achieved success in his career as a human rights barrister. Appointed Queen's Counsel in 2002. Starmer was legal adviser to the Northern Ireland Policing Board for five years from 2003 to 2008. He was also the Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008 to 2013. During that period he handled cases like the murder of Stephen Lawrence. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2014 for his outstanding contribution to the criminal justice system.
However, he rarely uses the title 'Sir' before his name. He became an MP the following year. He started his political life again as a Labor Party MP from London's Holborn and St. Pancras constituency. He lost his mother a few months after starting his political career. She died due to a complicated disease. Nevertheless, he strengthened his position in the Labor Party. He won a landslide victory in the 2020 Labor leadership vote. After that, the control of the party came into his hands. In his speech, he repeatedly mentioned building stronger relations with the world based on global security, climate protection and economic security.
Starmer is a father of two. He married his girlfriend Victoria in 2007. Like Starmer's mother, Victoria is a nurse by profession. Associated with the National Health Service. Like a burnt-out politician, he came to power by ousting the young Rishi Sunak. It remains to be seen how stable Britain can be at home and strong in the world under his leadership.
Dr. Mahfuz Parvez: Associate Editor, Barta24.com; Professor, Department of Political Science, Chattogram University and Executive Director, Chattogram Center for Regional Studies, Bangladesh (CCRSBD).