Aftermath Of The U.K. Elections

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves after a meeting with the Leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Arlene Foster at 10 Downing Street after the general election in London, Tuesday, June 13, 2017. Britain's prime minister has begun talks with a Northern Ireland-based party Tuesday to see if they can create an alliance to push through the Conservative Party's agenda after a disastrous snap election left her short of a majority in Parliament. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves after a meeting with the Leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Arlene Foster at 10 Downing Street after the general election in London, Tuesday, June 13, 2017. Britain's prime minister has begun talks with a Northern Ireland-based party Tuesday to see if they can create an alliance to push through the Conservative Party's agenda after a disastrous snap election left her short of a majority in Parliament. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Aftermath Of The U.K. Elections

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

British Prime Minister Theresa May found her Conservative Party losing its majority in Parliament last week. This came after May called for a snap election to increase the Tories’ majority in their bid to push for a “hard Brexit.” Just two months ago, the Tories had hoped to gain 100 seats in these elections. Instead, they lost 12, while the Labour Party gained 29 seats.

The Conservative Party is still the largest party, but they no longer hold a majority in what is called a hung parliament. Theresa May is still the prime minister, but former chancellor George Osborne has called May “a dead woman walking,” speculating that she will be forced to resign if the Tories no longer have faith in her leadership. 

We follow up on the aftermath of the elections and discuss how it might impact the United States with Erin Delaney, an associate professor of law and political science at Northwestern University. Her research focuses on Britain.