Great Britain is in the thick of it today. After months of campaigning and countless other political preparations, its voting citizens are eager to finally have their voices heard. This momentous event has been long anticipated and holds a particularly special significance as it will determine the political fate of the United Kingdom for the next several years. Thus, let us explore the various issues and nuances of the election and discuss how today’s vote might affect the nation in the days to come.
At the outset, a look at the candidates participating in the election will be useful. Those vying for the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom are Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. Johnson, the current leader, is running for reelection on behalf of his Conservative Party. His opponent, Corbyn, is the leader of the Labour Party. Each of the two candidates have their own set of policies and practical approaches to governing the nation that will make them attractive to different parts of the electorate.
In addition to the two Prime Ministerial candidates, there are also numerous other parties vying for positions within the Westminster and European Parliaments. The Liberal Democrats, Scottish Nationalists, Green Party, Plaid Cymru, and Brexit Party, are all present in and vying for seats along Johnson and Corbyn. Oftentimes, these smaller parties can sway the tide in individual ridings, and this is especially likely this election given the uncertainty that Brexit has caused in the UK.
Many commentators and pundits have offered their opinions and thoughts on what the outcome of today’s election will be. Most agree that Johnson is likely to remain in power, with the only real question being to what extent his Conservative electoral base will be waning. This, of course, will be partially determined by the amount of votes that the minor parties receive, and whether this has a chilling effect on the power of the larger candidates. Altogether, it is likely that Johnson will still prevail, though perhaps in less convincing fashion.
The election of course has ramifications beyond the borders of the United Kingdom. The decisions today will have an impact on the survival of the European Union, especially after the UK’s impending exit from it. Moreover, the outcome of today will also determine the shape of possible future relations between the US and the UK, with a Johnson victory being much preferred by the White House. As such, today’s election is a significant event for both the UK itself and the greater international community.
It is impossible to say for certain what the outcome of today’s election will be. Nevertheless, one thing is clear: the decision of the British people today will shape the face of the nation for the foreseeable future and will have lasting influence beyond its borders. As such, the eyes of the world are on the UK, and today’s election brings with it great power and responsibility.
Economic Impact of Today’s Election
Given the global and national significance of today’s election, one aspect of it that is of particular note is its economic implications. In this regard, the policies of both Johnson and Corbyn can be fairly clearly distinguished. Johnson has promised to increase investment in transportation and technology infrastructure, alongside slashing taxes and reducing borrowing. On the other hand, Corbyn has promised increased spending on public services while raising taxes on corporations. In addition, much of the Brexit Party’s campaign has been built on the notion of improved trade deals for the UK. As such, whichever candidate succeeds today could very well have quite a large effect on the economic future of theUK.
Some have suggested that Johnson will be the milder choice in terms of economics, whereas Corbyn could lead to greater shakeups in the sector. This can partially be seen in the reactions to both candidates by the business classes. To that end, there is evidence that a Corbyn victory would be significantly feared by corporate investors, whereas a Johnson one would be more favorably received.
Furthermore, it can be asserted that the results of the Brexit Party will likely have much to do with the ramifications of the election’s economic policies. If they manage to receive a large enough number of seats in Parliament, then their notions of increased trade access to the EU will be taken more seriously. Such a result could certainly mitigate or at least temper the economic policies of both major candidates, and how today’s election plays out in this regard is something all of us can keep our eyes on.
Public Opinion and Voter Turnout
Another area that the election has received a large amount of attention from is public opinion and voter turnout. While Corbyn has generally had the support of younger generations and many in the working class, Johnson has been more favored by the older groups and those in higher income brackets. On the other hand, the Brexit Party has previously appealed to those who previously voted for the now-imploding UKIP. This has created a complex information and knowledge base for people to look at when coming to a decision at the polls.
What does this mean for voter turnout in today’s election? Historically, it has been seen that in the UK, older demographics are much more likely to vote than younger ones. This could mean that Johnson has the edge in terms of those showing up to cast their ballot. On the other hand, the surge of new voters in previous elections could bode well for Corbyn and the Labour Party. Altogether, the result is hard to predict, with each of the candidates having their own set of dedicated supporters that may or may not turn up today.
As is typically the case in any democracy, those who end up showing up and casting their ballots will determine the outcome of today’s election. This is true of any democratic process and it is true for the UK in particular. It is uncertain what the outcome of today’s vote may be, but one thing is for certain; the nation’s citizens will have their say.
Social Media Influence
In today’s day and age, social media has become an integral part of any election. For this election, it has proven to be no different. Throughout the campaign season, both Johnson and Corbyn have taken to the platform to push their message and manifesto to the public. Both candidates have used Twitter and Facebook as a way to communicate with supporters, as well as to attack their opponents. This has been a contentious part of the election process, with both candidates being harshly criticized at times for their public comments.
Moreover, in addition to the candidates themselves, various social media campaigns have been launched by their respective teams as a way to gain attention and sway public support to their side. This has included advertisement campaigns, social media polls, as well as various other tactics that seek to have an impact on the upcoming election. It is impossible to say how much impact these campaigns will have, but they do prove the important role that the platform plays in modern democratic processes.
In addition to the official campaigns, everyday citizens have had their say as well. Through the hashtag #UKGE19, citizens have been able to voice their thoughts, opinions, and experiences about the election process, in hopes of helping sway others to their camp. This is yet another example of the power of social media and its ability to shape public opinion.
Consequences
Post-election there will be ramifications regardless of the outcome. For one, the Brexit process will proceed in one way or another, depending on who succeeds. If the victory goes to Johnson then the UK will be making greater progress towards a fully-fledged divorce from the EU, whereas if Corbyn comes out on top, the process could slow or even be reversed in some cases. Whatever the result, the nation will be moving into uncharted territory, with its position in the international community to be determined by the outcome of today’s vote.
Additionally, the results from today will determine the direction of the nation’s domestic policy for the next several years. Education, transportation, health care, and other national concerns will be high on both Johnson and Corbyn’s initial agendas when they take power, should they come out triumphant. Thus, it is clear that today’s election is a significant moment in British domestic policy and its aftermath will have lasting implications.
Finally, it will be interesting to see in the days to come how the voting public measures up the result and reflects on today’s election. Depending on the outcome, some may feel betrayed or vindicated in their choice to vote, while others may continue as they have in the past. Either way, today represents a meaningful milestone in British politics, and all eyes are now on the nation as its people come together to determine the future of their country.
Political Polarized Atmosphere
The UK election has been running in a particularly divided and polarised atmosphere. The tension between the candidates have been remarkable, and at times, dominating the news. For much of the campaign, both candidates have largely swung their positions around each other, attempting to paint the other in a negative light. This has created an atmosphere where even minor points of difference between the two have been thrown into sharp focus.
This has caused a high degree of uncertainty about the election and its outcome, as the true nature of the electorate has been difficult to divine. For instance, while Johnson may have had the momentum through much of the campaign, the more recent polls have been indicating a shift towards Corbyn and the Labour party. All of this has made it difficult to assess who can claim victory today, despite the obvious favourite being Johnson.
The intense atmosphere that has surrounded the campaign has furthermore led to a lot of apathy and discontent within the population. This sense of dissatisfaction has been further exacerbated by the fact that the overall impact of Brexit on Britain has yet to be fully felt. As such, many of the electorate have been perplexed at
