rime Minister Rishi Sunak has called snap elections, stating that the United Kingdom will go to the polls on July 4.

Leading political figures, including opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party have all launched their election campaigns, made various pledges and unveiled manifestos. The elections carry heightened significance amidst growing public dissatisfaction with the incumbent government’s stance on international conflicts including the ongoing war in Gaza. This conflict has left many in the British populace critical of the government’s position and response. The issue has the potential to shape the platforms and strategies of some of the contesting parties.

The British Pakistani community has been quick to mobilize to participate in the elections. The list of candidates will become available after the nominations are submitted by June 7. Preliminary data indicates a notable presence of British Pakistani candidates, with 17 participating on Labour Party tickets, 8 on Conservative Party tickets, 2 for the Green Party, 6 for the Liberal Democrats and 10 as independent candidates. Additionally, a British Pakistani is contesting on George Galloway’s Workers Party of Britain ticket. The numbers could vary a little.

Preliminary data indicate a notable presence of British Pakistani candidates, with 17 participating on Labour Party tickets, 8 on Conservative Party tickets, 2 for the Green Party, 6 for the Liberal Democrats and 10 as independent candidates.

Prominent MPs who have announced they will not stand for the election in 2024 include former prime minister Theresa May; former deputy prime minister Dominic Raab; the incumbent levelling-up secretary, Michael Gove; Sir Sajid Javid, the health secretary; secretaries of state Ben Wallace, Nadhim Zahawi, Matt Hancock and Adam Afriyie, Nickie Aiken and Lucy Allan. Most of the 132 MPs standing down are Conservatives (78). Additionally, five of the ten retiring independent MPs were first elected as Conservatives. This is unsurprising, as there are more Conservative MPs than MPs from any other party.

Thirty Labour MPs too have announced they will not stand in this general election. Other parties also face significant turnover, with nine SNP MPs planning to stand down. The Green Party’s sole MP, Caroline Lucas, and Hywel Williams, the MP of Plaid Cymru, have also announced that they will not stand in the election.

Some MPs are retiring after long careers in the Commons. Barry Sheerman, for example, is planning to retire after 45 years in Parliament. Similarly, Harriet Harman, the longest-serving female MP, is leaving politics after four decades in office. Many of those stepping down, however, are comparatively young. SNP MP Mhairi Black, once the youngest MP and still in her 20s, has announced that she does not intend to stand for Parliament again. Young MPs like Davison and Robin Walker are among those stepping down. Many MPs have cited personal reasons for standing down, such as mental health struggles or a desire to spend more time with their families.

The writer is a correspondent for Geo News, Daily Jang and The News in London