For Britain, this is a turn-the-page, night-and-day kind of election. After 14 years, the Conservative Party may be on the way out, replaced by an energized Labour Party led by former lefty lawyer turned ruthless centrist Keir Starmer.
Campaigning for this surprise snap election lasted just a merciful six weeks. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s campaign has been dogged by gaffes and micro-scandals. Voters appear impatient with Tory promises of a sunlit tomorrow. They are ready for Labour.
Thursday’s general election is the nation’s first since King Charles III took the throne. But can the reigning monarch — and senior members of the royal family — vote in the election?
They can, but they don’t.
Welcome to Britain’s constitutional monarchy, where kings reign, but they do not rule.
The monarch and royal family members “choose to abstain” from voting, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said. “Anything else would violate the need under our unwritten constitution for the monarchy to be above party politics.”