Elections

Reform UK has received the largest political donation in British history, MPs have voted down assisted dying legislation, and the ground is shifting ahead of both a Westminster by-election and the American midterms. This hub follows the mechanics and drama of electoral politics on both sides of the Atlantic: who funds campaigns, who gets selected to fight for a vacant seat, and how governments quietly time contentious decisions to avoid handing opponents ammunition before voters go to the polls.

Elections shape who holds power and how that power is exercised, which is why the manoeuvring around them, donor influence, candidate selection rows, delayed rulings, party infighting, often reveals as much as the vote itself. In Britain, attention is turning to a closely watched contest for a former Labour leader's seat, with rival parties jostling for position and local issues such as North Sea drilling becoming entangled in the timing of national announcements. In the United States, both major parties are already framing the narrative around the midterms, trading accusations of foul play and reading the runes for who stands to lose ground.

Expect ongoing coverage of campaign finance, candidate controversies, parliamentary votes with electoral consequences, and the wider jostling between parties as they position themselves for the next test at the ballot box.

  • Khan urges Burnham to begin campaign for closer EU ties

    London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to begin immediately making the case for much closer ties with the EU, rather than merely promising to consider rejoining in a future election manifesto. Khan proposed returning to the customs union, seeking associate membership and eventually rejoining the EU, arguing that Labour needed to…

  • Democratic duo fuel 2028 ticket speculation as pair trade winks about White House campaign

    Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Maryland Governor Wes Moore have intensified speculation that they could seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, after exchanging supportive comments at a Washington book event. Beshear said he was no longer certain he would never run for office again, while Moore told him, “Our country needs you”; Beshear’s reply…

  • Houses can be built on floodplains despite failing safety test, says high court

    The High Court has ruled that 190 homes can be built on a north Somerset floodplain despite the development failing a key planning safety test. The decision has alarmed residents, councils, ministers and flood experts, who fear it could create a national precedent enabling similar developments across England and Wales. The site is in flood…

  • Sjöbo referendum made Swedish town symbol of anti-migration politics

    In 1988, residents of Sjöbo, a small town in southern Sweden, voted overwhelmingly against accepting refugees, after the national government asked it to take in about 15 people. The referendum, unusual in Sweden at the time, attracted international attention and exposed deep divisions over immigration, while its result helped make Sjöbo a lasting symbol of…

  • Cameroonian landlord accused of tenant exploitation left UK after arrest

    Cameroonian national Ndumbe Achile Ndumbe, 41, is accused of exploiting vulnerable tenants by overcrowding rented properties, charging high rents and monitoring residents with cameras. He was arrested on suspicion of rape in July 2024, but was released on bail and later reportedly left the UK, prompting questions about policing, border controls and access to justice.…

  • GOP is running 2026 like it’s 2006, repeating George W. Bush’s Iraq War election failure

    The opinion article argues that Republicans risk repeating their 2006 midterm defeat by allowing a Middle East war to dominate the political narrative. It says voters’ dissatisfaction with the Iraq War, a late Republican scandal and the party’s failure to present a forward-looking programme helped Democrats capture the House, despite economic growth. In 2006, Democrats…

  • US officials say Iran is misjudging midterm pressure in negotiations

    The Trump administration says Iran is misjudging how much rising fuel costs and November’s midterm elections will affect the US position in negotiations to end the nearly seven-month conflict. Officials argue that pressure on Tehran and US control of the Strait of Hormuz give Washington strong leverage, while President Donald Trump has warned Iran to…

  • Fake ChatGPT billing emails can steal your login

    Cybercriminals are impersonating OpenAI in fake ChatGPT subscription emails designed to steal login credentials and payment details. The messages create urgency by claiming a payment problem and giving recipients 48 hours to update their information, directing them towards a convincing imitation of the ChatGPT login page. Cofense researchers identified a suspicious sender address unrelated to…

  • Megapoll projects Labour recovery as Reform’s surge fades

    A More in Common megapoll suggests Labour’s electoral position has improved substantially, while Reform’s recent surge has weakened. The findings have revived speculation about a snap election at Labour’s conference, although Andy Burnham has rejected the idea and said a vote before 2029 is not being considered. The poll projects Labour winning 250 seats, Reform…

  • From turgid to thrusting – mixed start for new Scotland

    Scotland drew 0-0 with Slovenia in Sebastien Pocognoli’s first match as manager, producing a disjointed and lifeless first half before improving markedly after the interval. The performance offered encouragement because Scotland became more aggressive and creative, but their failure to score highlighted a continuing weakness in attack. Scotland had no first-half shot on target and…