Arif BEKTAŞ
London

The polls have closed in the snap general election held in the UK. Whilst the results remain uncertain, according to initial polls the Conservative Party is expected to have 316 MPs. Based on this presumption the conservatives are set to lose 12 seats. The Labour Party is expected to increase its MPs to 261, having previously had 232 MPs before the general election was called. The far right UKIP are not expected to win any seats and the Scottish National Party is also projected to lose seats – reducing its MPs down to 35 (previously 56). The Liberal Democrats are expected to gain 12 MPs (an increase from 8).

Based on these exit polls the Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn have been hugely successful. The Prime Minister gambled when she announced a snap election, but despite this and the fact that the exit polls show that she may still gain a majority, the decision to call an early snap election was a big blow against the Conservative Party.

During the election campaign, the media’s approach towards Jeremy Corbyn was particularly noteworthy, with some accusing the Labour Party leader of “standing with terrorists”.  The so-called objective press, made open calls to its readers to vote for the Conservative Party. It is clear that there is widespread fear amongst the pro-establishment media that a Corbyn led government will secure social rights through higher taxation from the wealthy.

The Conservative Party were unable to persuade the public on the so-called need for further austerity and strong leadership, and continuously chose to attach Corbyn.

Jeremy Corbyn who is known for his long standing support for the Irish, Kurdish, Spanish, Indonesian and Palestinian liberation struggles, responded to these attacks by calling for a government “for the many not the few”.