By Smartencyclopedia & Agencies

In a significant shift in the political landscape, The Sun newspaper has endorsed the Labour Party in the upcoming general election, announcing that “it is time for a change.” This marks a departure from the paper’s longstanding support for the Conservative Party, which it has backed in every general election since 2010.

In a bold editorial, The Sun criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s party as “a divided rabble” in need of “a period in opposition to unite.” The tabloid, while acknowledging ongoing concerns about Labour, particularly regarding its immigration policies, praised Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for his efforts to reform the party. “Sir Keir has fought hard to change his party for the better,” the editorial stated.

Historically, The Sun’s endorsements have been influential in British politics. The newspaper has supported the party it believed would secure the most MPs since Margaret Thatcher’s first victory in 1979. However, the impact of its endorsement has arguably waned in recent years due to declining newspaper circulations. During the 1997 election, when The Sun endorsed Tony Blair’s Labour Party, it sold four million copies daily. In contrast, its current daily print readership is estimated to be around 600,000, although these figures are not publicly disclosed.

Responding to The Sun’s endorsement, Sir Keir Starmer expressed his delight. Speaking to journalists during a campaign visit in Scotland, the Labour leader remarked, “I think that shows just how much this is a changed Labour Party, back in the service of working people.”

Adding to the momentum for Labour, the Sunday Times has also thrown its support behind the party, signaling a potential shift in media support as the election approaches.

The upcoming election promises to be a critical juncture for the United Kingdom, with The Sun’s endorsement underscoring the growing call for political change. Whether this will translate into electoral success for Labour remains to be seen, but the endorsement is undoubtedly a significant boost for Sir Keir Starmer and his team as they campaign to return to power.