Polls open in UK election, as security takes precedence over Brexit

British voters head to the polls Thursday to decide between the Conservative and Labour parties. But in light of recent terrorist attacks, this election has become more about the country's safety, and less about Brexit.

First Look

British voters went to the polls Thursday for an election envisioned to be dominated by the country's pending departure from the European Union but that ended up focusing on international terrorism following attacks in London and Manchester.

Voters are choosing 650 lawmakers for the House of Commons after Prime Minister Theresa May called the vote three years early, hoping to boost her majority before starting Brexit negotiations. But the attacks forced her to defend the government's record on terrorism, and she's promised to crack down on extremism if she wins.

Voter Rachel Sheard, who was casting her ballot near the site of Saturday's attack in London, said the election had not gone as expected.

"They wanted this election to be very much a kind of Brexit vote and I don't think that's in the hearts and minds of Londoners at the minute, (not) nearly as much as the security is," said Ms. Sheard. "It was very scary on Saturday."

Atrocities near Parliament, a Manchester concert venue, and London Bridge have left Britain on high alert, with the official threat level at severe, the second-highest rating, indicating an attack is "highly likely."

When Ms. May called the election seven weeks ago, she was seeking to capitalize on opinion polls showing that the Conservatives had a wide lead over the opposition Labour Party. At that moment, the time seemed right.

May became prime minister through a Conservative Party leadership contest when predecessor David Cameron resigned after the referendum. She went into the election untested on a national campaign, but with a reputation for quiet competence. She championed "strong and stable government."

But the campaign did not go to plan.

May was criticized for a lackluster campaign and for a plan to force elderly people to pay more for their care, a proposal her opponents dubbed the "dementia tax." As the polls suggested a tightening race, pollsters spoke less often of a landslide and raised the possibility that May's majority would be eroded.

After the terror attacks in Manchester and London, which killed 30 people and forced the suspension of campaigning, security became the focus of the debate.

In her final message to voters, May appealed directly to the undecided, urging them to support her in negotiating the best deal for Britain as it leaves the European Union.

"I can only build that better country and get the right deal in Brussels with the support of the British people," she said. "So whoever you have voted for in the past, if that is the future you want then vote Conservative today and we can all go forward together."

Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who built his reputation as a left-wing activist, focused his campaign on ending the years of austerity that have followed the global financial crisis. He called for increased spending on the National Health Service, schools and police, as well as the nationalization of railroads and water utilities.

The Labour leader closed out his campaign by telling a rally he had reshaped British politics.

"As we prepare for government, we have already changed the debate and given people hope," he said. "Hope that it doesn't have to be like this; that inequality can be tackled; that austerity can be ended; that you can stand up to the elites and the cynics. This is the new center ground."

While the gap between the two parties has narrowed, virtually all polls suggest the Conservatives will retain control of Parliament. A high turnout is seen as Labour's best hope of eroding the Conservative majority.

The Conservatives held 330 seats in the last Parliament, compared with 220 for Labour, 54 for the Scottish National Party, and nine for the Liberal Democrats.

Rain is forecast through much of the country, but it is unlikely to be severe. Turnout is not expected to be affected.

"We live in a country where a bit of drizzle is commonplace," said John Curtice, an election expert at Strathclyde University.

Polls are open across Britain from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.