UK’s voters facing a defining choice when they go to the polls this week

WHILE the vote itself will be happening across the Irish Sea the UK General Election will be a defining day for the future of the island of Ireland. As it stands Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party appear to have a decent if not overwhelming lead on Jeremy Corbyn and Labour.

Based on the most recent polls the Tories look set to take about 42 per cent of the vote with Labour hovering at about 33 per cent.

Even with a late surge in support for Labour – which many pollsters are predicting – Johnson still looks to be on track to win the election.

Though Johnson may emerge as the overall winner such a result wouldn’t do much to end the Brexit logjam in Westminster. An 11 per cent win over Labour would see Johnson avoid a hung parliament but he would still be some way off the majority he would need to get his Brexit deal through parliament and usher the UK oout of the EU by January 31.

Indeed his experience could mirror that of Theresa May whose disastrous decision to go to the polls early in her tenure saw her return with a dismal 42.3 per cent of the vote, a result that set the tone for the entirety of her doomed premiership.

Looking at all that it’s easy to argue that Thursday’s election could just result ion more of the same in Westminster. However the result could lead to one huge change in the Brexit dynamic, the Corbyn factor.

If Labour lose the election, as looks increasingly likely, much of the blame will fall on Corbyn. The Labour leader has managed to survive and see off several attempted heaves but a poor performance on Thursday could finally give his opponents the ammunition they need to depose him.

For many Jeremy Corbyn is seen as the Labour party’s greatest weakness in the election and his wishy washy approach to Brexit has alienated many potential voters.

His poor handling of allegations about anti-semitism in the Labour party have also proved very costly.

Indeed it is telling that in an election battle against Boris Johnson (who was once forced to apologise after writing about “picanninny” Commonwealth islanders with “watermelon smiles”) it is Corbyn and his party who are battling allegations of racism.

The political arithmetic in Westminster may not change massively after Thursday’s vote but a change of leadership in the Labour party could result in a sea change in the Brexit battle in parliament.

A change of direction in Labour and an allegiance on Brexit with the Liberal Democrats could upend the political status quo in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff.

It wouldn’t necessarily end the Brexit impasse – indeed it could worsen it – but it could move the debate on to a new level and perhaps ultimately another referendum on the EU and the future of the union.

One thing is certain the eyes of Ireland, Europe and the world will be on Westminster the second counting begins.