UK newspaper backs opposition Labour Party in election

Britain's Sunday Times newspaper has endorsed the main opposition Labour Party for the parliamentary election, saying in an editorial that the country needs a "radical reset" after 14 years of Conservative rule.

The newspaper, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News UK, has backed the Conservatives at every election since 2005 but said on Sunday that the country could not carry on with what it said was now an "exhausted" party.

"We believe it is now the right time for Labour to be entrusted with restoring competence to government," the editorial said.

"There comes a time when change is the only option."

Keir Starmer's Labour Party is far ahead of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives in the opinion polls.

The Sunday Times said the period since 2016 - the year of the Brexit referendum - had been defined by political chaos which had distracted Conservative leaders from the issues which matter most to voters - health care, schools and the economy.

"The Conservatives have in effect forfeited the right to govern," the newspaper said.

"In opposition, they must regroup, rejuvenate, reject internecine fighting and stop blaming everyone else for their woes."

The Sun, one of Britain's best-selling newspapers which is also owned by Murdoch, has not yet said which party it will endorse in Thursday's election.

It has a strong track record of picking election winners.

Among other newspapers, the Daily Mirror and the Guardian have also endorsed Labour, while the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph have backed the Conservatives.

The Economist, a pro-business weekly magazine, has thrown its weight behind Labour.