STORY: Voting begins in Britain's general election
SHOOTING TIME: July 4, 2024
DATELINE: July 4, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:20
LOCATION: London
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of polling stations in London
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MILO, London resident
3. various of polling stations in London
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): NATALIE, London resident

STORYLINE:

Millions in Britain began to cast their votes in the general election on Thursday, as around 40,000 polling stations across the country opened at 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT).
  
Voters in 650 constituencies will elect members of the House of Commons, the lower chamber of parliament. A party must win at least 326 seats to secure a majority and be asked by the monarch, King Charles III, to form a government.

Pre-election opinion polls gave the main opposition Labour Party a 20-point lead over the Conservative Party, which has been in power for 14 years.

Observers say the cost of living, health care, education and immigration are among the issues that matter most to voters. 

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MILO, London resident
"I voted Labour. Things especially like inflation and poverty, like to do with the economic state, it was really screwed over by the Tories. Definitely, like poverty is obviously been a really big issue throughout history, but especially now. An overwhelming amount of people are using food banks, and inflation has been really high."

Britain's inflation rate soared to a four-decade high in 2022 as exorbitant prices for groceries, energy and rent inflicted pain on the public. Despite falling inflation in recent months, the cost of living continued to be the primary concern for people across Britain, according to an official survey in April.

Meanwhile, a recent survey showed that public satisfaction with Britain's National Health Service fell to a record low, with long waiting times cited as a major reason.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): NATALIE, London resident
"I think it'll be labour. I think that it's time for some change, and I think that they will be able to sort of take forward some things, at least. You know, like no one can ever deliver absolutely everything they promise. But I think that some things will change and hopefully for the best."

The Conservative Party was recently hit by several allegations that top members placed bets on the general election date. The betting scandal further tarnished the ruling party's image, following a string of Tory scandals, including bullying, sexual misconduct, and "partygate." It dealt a further blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is struggling to regain the public's trust.

The results of an exit poll will be released at around 10 p.m. (2100 GMT) when the polling stations close. The counting will start immediately, and most results will come out on Friday.

Britain's general election usually takes place every five years, and this election could have been held by January 2025. Sunak announced the snap general election on May 22, followed by the dissolution of the parliament on May 30.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from London.
(XHTV)