The general election in Britain is set to conclude in three days, and the fate of leading politicians will be decided by the voters. The campaign has narrowed to core messages that the main parties, particularly the Conservatives and Labour, are emphasizing to appeal to crucial segments of the public. Rishi Sunak, the Conservative leader, has expressed confidence that he will remain prime minister after the election, but the Conservative campaign is defensive and focused on preventing voters from switching to Labour, Reform UK, and the Liberal Democrats.
Labour’s task is simpler, as they are primarily focused on winning over former Conservative voters in England. Their main message has been “Change,” but they are now urging voters to actively vote for change to ensure it happens. Labour is also preparing for potential government, with Sue Gray, the chief-of-staff poached from the civil service by Keir Starmer, expected to play a key role.
In the Conservative Party, there is a semi-public, semi-private conversation about the future, with some members discussing the possibility of a Conservative leadership election following the general election. Jesse Norman, a former minister standing for re-election, has suggested that the role of Conservative Party members should be reduced and that the leadership election should not be rushed.
In Labour circles, there is buzz about preparations for government, with David Cameron’s 2015 election victory serving as a model for how a concerted assault on the opposition’s record can secure victory. However, it is important to note that only postal votes have been cast so far, and the outcome of the election is still uncertain. Both main parties are campaigning as if a Labour victory is the most plausible scenario.