The Squiz 

As predicted, the UK’s Labour Party under new PM Keir Starmer romped home in Thursday’s election, securing 412 seats of the 650 on offer – ending 14 years of Conservative rule. But that was more down to declining support for the Conservatives – which saw Britain’s shortest-serving PM Liz Truss get the boot – than a surge in votes for Labour. The Tories have been left with 121 seats – a record low – while the Liberal Democrats secured 72, their most in over 100 years. Due to the UK’s electoral system, the right-wing Reform UK party secured a high share of the overall vote but finished with just 5 seats, including leader Nigel Farage who became an MP on his 8th attempt.

So what now?

Starmer has promised to “rebuild Britain with wealth created in every community,” using “stability and moderation”. He campaigned on a platform of improving public services, schools and affordable homes, saying he’s “restless for change” – but he’s also flagged it won’t be quick… After meeting with King Charles, the 61yo appointed his 25-person Cabinet, featuring a record 11 women – that includes the first female Chancellor (aka Treasurer) Rachel Reeves and Deputy PM Angela Rayner. And Starmer’s already making friends on the world stage – our PM Anthony Albanese was one of the first to congratulate him on an “emphatic victory” and the pair have had a call to discuss several issues including the AUKUS defence partnership.

What about elections elsewhere?

Let’s start with US President Joe Biden who is ignoring the cacophony of calls to step aside ahead of the November election, saying only the “Lord Almighty” could persuade him to drop out. The 81yo’s attempt to restore faith during a much-anticipated interview on Saturday morning didn’t convince his critics… And in France, polls have closed in their second-round General Assembly election to decide who becomes PM. After a strong result in the first round for the far-right National Rally party (known as RN), frontwoman Marine Le Pen was hoping for a historic victory against President Emmanuel Macron’s centre alliance – but early signs show a joint effort by left and centrist parties may have blocked RN from winning a majority. Whatever happens, experts say it’s almost certain Macron will find governing harder in the remaining 3 years of his term. To be continued…