Britain set for election in wake of terror attacks

Britain is heading to the  polls today, after a turbulent few weeks which have shifted the political ground and been marred by terror attacks.

Prime Minister Theresa May was riding high when she called a snap election on April 18, having kicked off Brexit proceedings and boasting a double-digit lead over the rival Labour party.

But in recent weeks, the Conservative leader has seen her popularity wane as the political debate shifted from EU membership to domestic policy and her own record on security.

"Give me your backing to lead Britain, give me the authority to speak for Britain, strengthen my hand as I fight for Britain," May urged voters on June 6 in Stoke-on-Trent, the city that registered the highest vote for leaving the European Union.

With formal Brexit talks due to start on June 19, May is hoping to sweep up supporters from the UK Independence Party as well as taking seats from Labour.

The Conservatives have run a presidential-style campaign, promoting May as the "strong and stable" leader to fight Britain's corner in Brussels and warning that Labour's Jeremy Corbyn is not up to the task. Despite being seen as an unlikely leader -- one who has faced off a rebellion by his own MPs -- Corbyn has gained momentum during the election campaign and regularly attracts big crowds to his rallies.

Labour gained a boost following the May 18 release of the Conservatives' manifesto, outlining elderly care costs which the tabloids dubbed the "dementia tax."

The pledge hit the party's core supporters and May was forced to backtrack on capping the costs, prompting further criticism that she was unreliable.

A "Liar, Liar GE2017" election protest song which targeted May and the Conservatives has made waves...