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.

  • Glasgow council to rehire 23,000 staff on revised terms after talks fail

    Glasgow City Council is proceeding with one of the UK’s largest fire-and-rehire schemes affecting nearly 23,000 non-teaching staff after union negotiations collapsed this week. The council plans to sack and rehire workers under less favourable terms to implement a new pay and grading system designed to resolve longstanding pay equality issues. This matters because it…

  • Green motion on Zionism widens divisions as deputy backs proposal

    The Green Party of England and Wales faced internal divisions over a motion that defines Zionism as racism and calls for a single Palestinian state across historic Palestine. Deputy co-leader Mothin Ali said he would support it, while leader Zack Polanski planned to abstain and seek an amendment; former leaders warned the proposal could alienate…

  • One Nation edges ahead of Labor in long-held Melbourne seat of Footscray

    A Greens-commissioned poll has revealed a dramatic collapse in Labor support in Footscray, a Melbourne working-class seat Labor has held since 1927. One Nation now leads on primary votes at 28.6 per cent against Labor’s 27.5 per cent, marking a shocking reversal in one of the party’s safest electorates and signalling serious trouble ahead of…

  • Why Brexit could end up being Kemi Badenoch’s arrow in the eye

    The Conservative Party’s decision to depict Kemi Badenoch as Harold Godwinson in a Bayeux Tapestry-style display risks drawing an awkward parallel with the defeated king, argues the article. It uses the 1066 story to illustrate the party’s political bind: facing Reform UK on the right while also competing with Labour and the Liberal Democrats elsewhere.…

  • The volunteers who spend their time saving city’s historic buildings

    The Doncaster Civic Trust, founded in 1946 to preserve the town’s Georgian and Victorian heritage, is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Run entirely by volunteers, the trust has successfully saved numerous historic buildings from demolition and continues to play a vital role in protecting Doncaster’s architectural heritage and sense of identity. Members believe that such conservation…

  • Cruz calls Vance insecure as speculation grows over 2028 Republican race

    Ted Cruz and Vice President JD Vance have exchanged public criticism over who is positioning themselves for a 2028 presidential run. Vance accused Cruz of obviously campaigning for president, whilst Cruz countered that Vance is the one feeling insecure and distracted, insisting he is instead focused on helping Republicans win the midterm elections. The dispute…

  • Barlinnie Reprieve Granted as Democrats Plot Trump Family Probe

    Scotland’s most notorious prison may stay open amid overcrowding crisis. Democrats vow to investigate Trump family business ties if they control Congress this November.

  • Trump rallies Ohio Republicans, attacks Democrats and CNN’s Kaitlan Collins

    Donald Trump rallied in Vandalia, Ohio, for Republican Senate candidate Jon Husted and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy ahead of the midterm elections. He urged supporters to vote, promised Republicans would defeat Democrats, and used profane insults for his opponents. He also criticised CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, commenting on her demeanour. The rally included a speech…

  • Trump urges Ohio supporters to secure Republican midterm victories

    Donald Trump used an Ohio rally to urge supporters to help Republicans win November’s midterm elections, asking them to vote as though he were on the ballot. He framed a Republican victory as a way to preserve what he called a new “golden age” and maintain the economic gains he attributed to his administration. Speaking…

  • One Nation candidate sparks backlash over prison pledge for former Victorian premiers

    A One Nation upper house candidate Mark Nicholson has triggered a political backlash by declaring that former Victorian premiers Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan should be “in prison by Christmas”. The remarks were made during One Nation’s campaign launch in Melbourne on Saturday and sparked immediate criticism from political opponents and commentators who said such…