How the Gaza war affected the British election
Deciphering the striking success of independent candidates
“In general independent candidates do not do very well in Westminster elections,” says Matt Singh, a pollster. That changed in the general election on July 4th, when the Labour Party won a landslide but also lost five of its safest seats to independents. Their victories mean there are now six independents in Parliament, the most elected since 1945. With the exception of a unionist in Northern Ireland, all campaigned heavily on Gaza.
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This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Independents’ day”
Britain July 13th 2024
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