The UK electorate, despite voting around the same number for Labour as in the 2019 collapse, has returned a Labour government, largely because of its appetite to thrash the tories for their dreadful record. Tactical voting dislodged a lot of tories: ours baled out ahead of the election, and the Lib Dems took the seat (with our modest tactical help). Much has to do with the vote for the so-called reform UK party, which a former Tory PM characterised as closet fascists, fruitcakes and loonies. Said party garnered over four million votes, which suggests that the UK is tending somewhat towards the populist trend in the neighbouring Continent. Still, it looks like the sophisticated French electorate, having put a first round across the bows of Le Pen’s lot, has prevailed in the second round. Remains to be seen how the new Parliament can be made to work. Both in France and at home. Though somewhat reassured, I remain glad I’m old.
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