IT was an election gamble that did not pay off for British Prime Minister Theresa May. As results trickled in, early victories for Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership hinted at a tough ride for the Conservative Party.
The possibility of a hung Parliament was in the air.
At 10pm on Thursday, exit polls predicted the Conservatives would lose their overall majority.
Labour’s victory in Southampton Test dashed all hopes for the Tories. The victory made it impossible for any party to reach the 326-members-of-parliament required to achieve absolute majority in the House of Commons.
May has rejected Corbyn’s call to resign and is reportedly discussing a deal with the Democratic Unionists Party (DUP) to form a government after her party lost the majority.
It was against the grim backdrop of recent attacks in London and Manchester that residents went out to vote yesterday.
At most polling stations, there was a noticeable presence of the younger generation — first time voters who wanted their voice heard and to make a change.
And, indeed they did.
According to Sky News, the turnout of voters aged 18 to 24 was 66.4 per cent, compared with 43 per cent in the 2015 General Election. Their choice was unmistakably Jeremy Corbyn.
For Sorfina Shamsudin, 22, and her friends, this GE was the first time that they were making their voices heard.
Voters of Sorfina’s age were guided by social media, which they were familiar with, and made their decisions based on it.
“I feel that, as a student coming out of university, the leader of the party I voted for said things that affected me directly.
“I don’t have much interest in politics, but this particular campaign felt relevant to me... Someone who could come into power could ‘change’ my life.
“For example, university tuition fees.
“Most, if not all, of the students that I know will have a huge tuition debt to pay upon graduation. Labour’s manifesto appeals to them (students) because the prospect of not having to be in so much debt upon graduation is a relief.
“Although I’m in my final year, I think it’s important for education to be more accessible to people who may not have the financial support to go to university.”
Sorfina said she knew the importance of social care funding as she has friends who struggled to pay their fees while providing for their families.
For someone who had been in the United Kingdom since 1978, the results of the general election came as no surprise for Steven Lee, a Malaysian photographer.
He said the change in the political scenario was healthy.
“It is healthy to have changes in governments. This keeps everyone on their toes.”
Lee had experienced “life” under the Tory government of Margaret Thatcher and John Major, Labour under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and the coalition government of the Tory and Liberal Democratic parties under David Cameron.
“I was expecting a Labour win, but was surprised by the hung Parliament.
“It means the country cannot go forward with Brexit, which means more uncertainty, especially for European Union nationals here,” he said.
On Corbyn’s appeal to the younger generation, Lee jokingly said: “It must be his uncle like figure!”