Channel 4's General Election coverage viewers 'switch off' as panel leaves them seething

Channel 4 viewers who tuned into the live General Election coverage this evening were left raging over the panel of guests used on the show.

By Rebecca Jones, Senior Showbiz Reporter

Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner Deliver Message Of Change Ahead Of Thurday's Election

Labour Leader Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)

Channel 4 Britain Decides viewers were informed the exit polls reported a Labour Landslide in this year's General Election which hosts Emily Maitlis and Krishnan Guru-Murphy shared at 10pm this evening.

However, Channel 4 viewers were quick to "switch off" even before the announcement had been made as they were not pleased with the panel which included Ann Widdecombe, Nadine Dorries and Kwasi Kwarteng.

Taking to Twitter, one fan fumed: "I was looking forward to @Channel4News #Election2024 results till I saw Nadine Dorries is on the panel! #c4BritainDecides." Another added: "Tunes into #C4BritainDecides. Sees Nadine Dorries. Switches over to #BBCElection for the rest of the night."

A third noted: "No no not@NadineDorries will switch Channels #C4Britaindecides." A fourth penned: "What are Nadine Dorries, Ann Widdecombe and Kwasi Kwarteng doing on #C4BritainDecides ?! I’m off to BBC…"

Despite the backlash, other viewers were more interested in what the panel had to say, with one writing: "#c4britaindecides The exit poll is irrelevant. The vote count happens."

A victory for Starmer would see Labour return to power for the first time in 14 years.

There have been five consecutive Tory Prime Minister since Labour last won a General Election, including Liz Truss who held the role for just 44 days.

Boris Johnson's premiership was during the coronavirus pandemic after Theresa May's run, and David Cameron left Brexit in voters' hands when he was in a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats.

Emily Maitlis and Krishnan Guru-Murphy

Emily Maitlis and Krishnan Guru-Murphy (Image: CHANNEL 4`)

Emily Maitlis and Krishnan Guru-Murphy

The Channel 4 panel were met with criticism (Image: CHANNEL 4)

Polling stations across the nation opened at 7am, giving Britons the chance to decide if Conservative Leader Rishi Sunak would remain in the top job or if Labour's Sir Keir Starmer would take over as Prime Minister.

The opinion polls have been suggesting Labour was on course to secure a majority vote and form a new government.

The ballot closes at 10pm this evening and the exit poll is broadcast by the BBC, Sky and ITV.

Ahead of the live coverage on Channel 4, Starmer was joined by his wife Victoria when he visited his Holborn and St Pancras constituency.

On Wednesday night, the 61-year-old told Reddict residents to "imagine a Britain moving forward together with a Labour government". He added: "That's what we are fighting for, let's continue that fight. If you want change, you have to vote for it."

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey visited a polling station in Surbiton with his wife Emily. "It's a beautiful day. I hope lots of people come out to vote," he said as he left Surbiton Hill Methodist Church.

The full Channel 4 General Election 2024 coverage can be streamed on All4.

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