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UK's landmark postwar elections: When Boris Johnson sought and got a mandate to 'Get Brexit Done'

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UK's landmark postwar elections: When Boris Johnson sought and got a mandate to 'Get Brexit Done'
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UK's landmark postwar elections: When Boris Johnson sought and got a mandate to 'Get Brexit Done'

2024-07-03 16:44 Last Updated At：16:50

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s upcoming general election is widely expected to lead to a change of government for the first time in 14 years. Many analysts believe it will be one of the country’s most consequential elections since the end of World War II.

Ahead of the July 4 vote, The Associated Press takes a look back at other landmark U.K. elections since the war.

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FILE - Protestors are reflected in a large puddle as they wave European flags to demonstrate against Brexit in front of the Parliament in London, Dec. 3, 2018. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

FILE - Protestors are reflected in a large puddle as they wave European flags to demonstrate against Brexit in front of the Parliament in London, Dec. 3, 2018. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
FILE - British Prime Minister Theresa May waits for the arrival of European Council President Donald Tusk prior to their bilateral meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 20, 2017. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)

FILE - British Prime Minister Theresa May waits for the arrival of European Council President Donald Tusk prior to their bilateral meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 20, 2017. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)
FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson drives a JCB through a symbolic wall with the Conservative Party slogan 'Get Brexit Done' in the digger bucket, during an election campaign event at the JCB manufacturing facility in Uttoxeter, England, Dec. 10, 2019. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on Dec. 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (Ben Stansall/Pool via AP, File)

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson drives a JCB through a symbolic wall with the Conservative Party slogan 'Get Brexit Done' in the digger bucket, during an election campaign event at the JCB manufacturing facility in Uttoxeter, England, Dec. 10, 2019. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on Dec. 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (Ben Stansall/Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron walks past a map of Europe on a screen as he walks away after making a speech on holding a referendum on staying in the European Union in London, Jan. 23, 2013. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron walks past a map of Europe on a screen as he walks away after making a speech on holding a referendum on staying in the European Union in London, Jan. 23, 2013. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
FILE - London Mayor Boris Johnson makes a statement outside his home in London, Feb. 21, 2016, announcing his support for the Leave campaign. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)

FILE - London Mayor Boris Johnson makes a statement outside his home in London, Feb. 21, 2016, announcing his support for the Leave campaign. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)

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FILE - Protestors are reflected in a large puddle as they wave European flags to demonstrate against Brexit in front of the Parliament in London, Dec. 3, 2018. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

FILE - Protestors are reflected in a large puddle as they wave European flags to demonstrate against Brexit in front of the Parliament in London, Dec. 3, 2018. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

FILE - British Prime Minister Theresa May waits for the arrival of European Council President Donald Tusk prior to their bilateral meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 20, 2017. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)

FILE - British Prime Minister Theresa May waits for the arrival of European Council President Donald Tusk prior to their bilateral meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 20, 2017. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson drives a JCB through a symbolic wall with the Conservative Party slogan 'Get Brexit Done' in the digger bucket, during an election campaign event at the JCB manufacturing facility in Uttoxeter, England, Dec. 10, 2019. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on Dec. 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (Ben Stansall/Pool via AP, File)

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson drives a JCB through a symbolic wall with the Conservative Party slogan 'Get Brexit Done' in the digger bucket, during an election campaign event at the JCB manufacturing facility in Uttoxeter, England, Dec. 10, 2019. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on Dec. 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (Ben Stansall/Pool via AP, File)

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron walks past a map of Europe on a screen as he walks away after making a speech on holding a referendum on staying in the European Union in London, Jan. 23, 2013. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron walks past a map of Europe on a screen as he walks away after making a speech on holding a referendum on staying in the European Union in London, Jan. 23, 2013. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

FILE - London Mayor Boris Johnson makes a statement outside his home in London, Feb. 21, 2016, announcing his support for the Leave campaign. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)

FILE - London Mayor Boris Johnson makes a statement outside his home in London, Feb. 21, 2016, announcing his support for the Leave campaign. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)

When former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called an election in December 2019, it was essentially about one issue: Brexit.

General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics.

For Johnson, desperate times called for desperate measures. The June 23, 2016 Brexit referendum, won narrowly by those backing an exit from the European Union, triggered a chaotic period in politics.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron, who had campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU, had resigned immediately after his side lost the referendum.

His successor, Theresa May, tried but failed to find a Brexit formula that a majority in Parliament would back. Everyone seemingly had a different idea as to what post-Brexit deal the U.K. should have with the EU, and the original day of departure — March 2019 — was delayed.

Parliament was in chaos, and Johnson, who succeeded May, pledged that he would get “Get Brexit Done.”

With Labour’s Brexit policy unclear and its left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn deeply unpopular, Johnson’s Conservatives won their biggest majority since 1987 under Margaret Thatcher. Labour suffered its worst election result in terms of seats since the 1930s.

Johnson prevailed largely because his message was clear, especially in parts of the country that voted Brexit but had for decades voted Labour. The U.K. left the European Union on Jan. 31, 2020.

Any celebrations were short-lived, however, with a deadly coronavirus pandemic soon spreading around the world.

Johnson was forced to resign in the summer of 2022 after he was found to have lied to Parliament over lockdown-breaching parties at his offices in Downing Street. The 49-day tenure of his successor, Liz Truss, was even more chaotic after she unveiled unfunded tax cuts that roiled financial markets and sent borrowing costs for homeowners surging.

It's a dual legacy that their successor Rishi Sunak has had to contend with ahead of Thursday's election.

FILE - Protestors are reflected in a large puddle as they wave European flags to demonstrate against Brexit in front of the Parliament in London, Dec. 3, 2018. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

FILE - Protestors are reflected in a large puddle as they wave European flags to demonstrate against Brexit in front of the Parliament in London, Dec. 3, 2018. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

 FILE - British Prime Minister Theresa May waits for the arrival of European Council President Donald Tusk prior to their bilateral meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 20, 2017. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)

FILE - British Prime Minister Theresa May waits for the arrival of European Council President Donald Tusk prior to their bilateral meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 20, 2017. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)

 FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson drives a JCB through a symbolic wall with the Conservative Party slogan 'Get Brexit Done' in the digger bucket, during an election campaign event at the JCB manufacturing facility in Uttoxeter, England, Dec. 10, 2019. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on Dec. 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (Ben Stansall/Pool via AP, File)

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson drives a JCB through a symbolic wall with the Conservative Party slogan 'Get Brexit Done' in the digger bucket, during an election campaign event at the JCB manufacturing facility in Uttoxeter, England, Dec. 10, 2019. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on Dec. 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (Ben Stansall/Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron walks past a map of Europe on a screen as he walks away after making a speech on holding a referendum on staying in the European Union in London, Jan. 23, 2013. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron walks past a map of Europe on a screen as he walks away after making a speech on holding a referendum on staying in the European Union in London, Jan. 23, 2013. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

 FILE - London Mayor Boris Johnson makes a statement outside his home in London, Feb. 21, 2016, announcing his support for the Leave campaign. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)

FILE - London Mayor Boris Johnson makes a statement outside his home in London, Feb. 21, 2016, announcing his support for the Leave campaign. The U.K. election in December 2019 was basically about one issue: Brexit. General elections in the U.K. are typically held in the spring or early summer. But in the fall of 2019, the recently-appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled on holding one on December 12, when most people just want to get ready for Christmas and would rather think of anything but politics. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)

DENVER (AP) — A sick Jamal Murray may have been questionable for Game 6, but in his mind there was nothing ambiguous about his playing status.

“Absolutely not,” Murray said when asked if there was any chance he'd have sat out the game.

Murray scored 25 points and powered the Denver Nuggets past the Thunder 119-107 Thursday night, sending the series back to Oklahoma City for a decisive Game 7.

After being sick for 24 hours, Murray ignited the Nuggets with a four-point play to start things off and sank a step-back 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter that pushed Denver's lead into double digits.

Nikola Jokic led Denver with 29 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, and Christian Braun scored a career playoff-best 23 points. But it was second-year reserve guard Julian Strawther who ignited the Nuggets' runaway, scoring a career playoff-high 15 points, all in the second half.

“Julian played huge for us, made real big shots," Aaron Gordon said. “I don't think that's something that they game-planned for.”

Strawther had a pair of 3s and a layup during the decisive 10-0 third-quarter spurt and he kept making big plays at both ends in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets finally had a laugher in this exhaustive, physical series.

Case in point: Strawther lost a crown in the fourth quarter. A ballboy retrieved the artificial tooth from the circle when the action went to the other end.

Gordon grabbed at his left hamstring late in the game and hobbled through the final few minutes, but he insisted he'd be fine for Game 7, which is Sunday, with the Minnesota Timberwolves awaiting the winner after dispatching Golden State in five games.

If he's good to go, that would be a huge relief for Denver interim coach David Adelman, who called Gordon “the reason why we've won games and won series and have a banner hanging up.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points, but he didn’t get enough help from his teammates to clinch Oklahoma City's first trip to the Western Conference Finals since 2016. All-Star Jalen Williams scored six points on 3-of-16 shooting.

The Nuggets, who won the title two years ago, finally get two days off after a grueling past few weeks. They have played every other day since April 29.

“The guys in there looked like they were happier to have tomorrow off than they were about going to a Game 7,” Adelman said.

The Thunder have only lost back-to-back games twice this season, once in November and once in early April. However, this will be the current iteration's first win-or-go-home game.

“First of all, credit Denver — they threw a punch tonight as has happened in the series, both teams are exchanging blows," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “They got theirs in tonight, and both teams have done a great job of standing back up, including us, and we need to do that on Sunday.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

From left, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, center Isaiah Hartenstein, guard Cason Wallace, forward Jaylin Williams and guard Aaron Wiggins look on from the bench as time runs out in the second half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Denver Nuggets Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

From left, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, center Isaiah Hartenstein, guard Cason Wallace, forward Jaylin Williams and guard Aaron Wiggins look on from the bench as time runs out in the second half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Denver Nuggets Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

 Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther reacts after hitting a 3-point basket late in the second half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther reacts after hitting a 3-point basket late in the second half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

 Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic collects a loose ball in the first half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic collects a loose ball in the first half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

 Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, front, drives the lane as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends in the first half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, front, drives the lane as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends in the first half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

 Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front left, drives to the basket as Oklahoma City Thunder guards Alex Caruso, back left, and Luguentz Dort defend in the first half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front left, drives to the basket as Oklahoma City Thunder guards Alex Caruso, back left, and Luguentz Dort defend in the first half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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