Record number of candidates standing at general election
Record number of candidates standing at general election
Experts say 4,515 candidates at the 2024 elections suggest "more marginal" seats are possible.
A record number of candidates are standing in this year's general election.
More than 4,500 candidates are standing to be elected in the 650 constituencies across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It means that the election, on 4 July, sees a 35.7% increase on the 2019 poll.
The increase primarily comes from Reform UK ending its promise not to stand against Conservatives, the Green Party standing more candidates and the Workers Party of Britain entering its first general election.
There has also been a large spike in the number of independent and smaller party candidates standing.
Matthew Flinders, professor of politics at Sheffield University, said an increase in candidates means this election means the next government will see "more marginals" and "more fluidity between elections".
The increase primarily comes from Reform UK ending its promise not to stand against Conservatives
I didnt realise this was how promises worked.
Fascists like to think they're making promises when they are just threats.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
A record number of candidates are standing in this year's general election.More than 4,500 candidates are standing to be elected in the 650 constituencies across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.It means that the election, on 4 July, sees a 35.7% increase on the 2019 poll.The increase primarily comes from Reform UK ending its promise not to stand against Conservatives, the Green Party standing more candidates and the Workers Party of Britain entering its first general election.There has also been a large spike in the number of independent and smaller party candidates standing.Matthew Flinders, professor of politics at Sheffield University, said an increase in candidates means this election means the next government will see "more marginals" and "more fluidity between elections".
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Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, said: "Virtually every European country, including the UK, has seen a fragmentation of their party systems.
"Voters nowadays have far fewer tribal loyalties than used to be the case, and in many cases feel the 'old' parties have failed either to deliver or have left them behind.
Mr Farage has ruled out a similar pact with the Tories at this election.
The Green Party has also put forward 131 more candidates than last election, with 629 candidates - after ending their own "Unite to Remain alliance" with the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru, three parties that supported the UK remaining in the European Union (EU).The Workers Party of Britain, led by George Galloway, has also entered the election for the first time with 152 candidates.Prof Flinders said the next election could see even more candidates.
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