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
- What does Labour’s win mean for British foreign policy?
- Britain’s Labour government has declared war on NIMBYs
- Britain’s general election was its least representative ever
- How did pollsters do in predicting the British election?
- Why are British beach huts so expensive?
- How the Gaza war affected the British election
- The new front line of British politics is just lovely
From the July 13th 2024 edition
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Explore the editionMore from Britain
The harmony between Labour and Britain’s trade unions
They agree on the labour market above all
Britain’s submarines are at sea for too long—or not at all
No sunlight or fresh food for months
What’s next for Britain and the EU?
Brexit’s economic toll is now clear. But the path forward is murky
Britain’s ban on arms sales to Israel mixes politics and legalism
The government has outlined grounds for concern but not a coherent rationale
Britain and the EU find it easier to talk about guns than butter
But closer ties in foreign and security policy are still not easy to forge