People are looking for answers in very different directions
In Scotland and Wales, voters handed the keys to nationalist parties. The SNP have maintained control of the Scottish parliament, and Plaid Cymru’s progressive social democratic vision for Wales has shattered Labour’s offer. Unlike the English council results, these will have a direct impact on economic policies for some UK citizens, and both should have a positive impact. Before the election we ranked Plaid Cymru’s manifesto as the second strongest in terms of delivering on Tax Justice priorities, with a score of 9/18. And the SNP promise to deliver a Private Jet Tax, and a Mansion Tax, that will represent serious victories for our movement to tax wealth fairly.
In England, Reform has made large gains at the expense of both the Conservatives, and Labour. The Green Party and the Liberal Democrats have also prised serious numbers of council seats as well as crucial mayoralties away from Labour. We know trust in politicians is at an all time low, and although the turnout has not been officially released yet, the prediction is it will be historically low, with millions clearly disillusioned with what’s on offer. This would continue the downward trend of political participation that we saw in the 2024 General Election, the second lowest turnout in a General Election since records began in 1885.
Whether today leaves you hopeful, scared, frustrated, or despondent it’s obvious we are living in a moment of great upheaval. Whether it is remembered as the beginning of a democratic reckoning that wrestles back power from the elites, or a launchpad for a politics of division, distraction and hate, that scapegoats the marginalised and lets the mega-rich continue to exploit our communities, is up to us. Thank you for being part of or movement, and powering the People’s Lobby with your regular gift.