This Week in Politics
British Local Elections
On the 2nd of May, many Britons went to the ballot box to place their local election vote. The ruling Conservative party (Tories) lost major ground, the opposition won seats held by the Tories for decades. Labour gained large headway taking control of nearly 10 councils out of 107 councils holding elections including the ones already controlled by an outright majority. Moreover, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens alongside several smaller parties made gains - especially the Greens that nearly doubled their total seat count. The results are a testimony to the unpopularity of the governing Conservatives and by extension those running the party. Labour won (so far, the results have most likely changed since publishing this article) 1026 (+204), the Lib Dems won 500 (+92), the Tories garnered 468 (-371) and the Green Party mustered 158 (+58). This is monumental the Liberal Democrats, 4th largest party in parliament, won more total seats than the Conservatives - that's distressing news for Downing Street. The looming general election is looking very positive for Labour and the Lib Dems. The government needs a Hail Mary to even stand a chance of re-election.
Democrats Retain House Seat
A special election in New York's 26th district culminated in the election of Democratic State Senator Tim Kennedy. The prior district representative was a Democrat and the district is reliably blue. The seat is located in Buffalo and some surrounding suburbs. The result entails further difficulties for the narrow Republican House majority, meaning that Speaker Mike Johnson must be weary of any rebellion. Only a few need to defect to oust him, a real possibility since compromising with Democrats. The GOP has 217 seats, 1 from an outright majority, and the Democrats have 213. 5 seats remain vacant. Former district representative Brian Higgs served for 10 terms, including this election cycle. Mr Higgs stated that the institution was "in a very, very bad place" and that “we’re at the beginning phases of a deterioration of the prestige of the institution.” That did not stop Mr Kennedy, he wishes for civility and honour to return to the aisles of Capitol Hill.
Humza Yousaf Steps Down
SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has stepped aside after realising he could not win a vote of no confidence. Mr Yousaf triggered the vote after he scrapped major climate goals, not very popular with his coalition partner the Scottish Green Party. The ending of the Bute House Agreement entailed the demise of the first minister as he burned the bridge to the only party willing to work with him in Holyrood. John Swinney is set to take his place as Kate Forbes, a prominent member of the SNP, has stepped aside.
