Boris Johnson: heading back to Downing Street.
Will Oliver/EPA
December 13, 2019
Paul James Cardwell , University of Strathclyde ; Costas Milas , University of Liverpool ; Hanna Szymborska , The Open University ; Helen Parr , Keele University ; Katy Hayward , Queen's University Belfast ; Ken Rotenberg , Keele University ; Kevin Albertson , Manchester Metropolitan University ; Sean Kippin , University of Stirling , and Victoria Honeyman , University of Leeds
Our panel of experts analyse the results of the British election.
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From Brexit and Labour’s future to Britain’s new political battlegrounds, here’s the expert lowdown on what Boris Johnson’s predicted landslide win means.
What exactly is Boris Johnson’s plan?
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Boris Johnson wants to leave by the end of January 2020 and hopes to have a trade deal agreed within a year.
In happier times: Stanley Baldwin (r) in August 1923, months before the December election.
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When Stanley Baldwin called an election in December 1923, the outcome was unintended, unexpected and enduring.
Economically speaking, Brexit is bad news.
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The academic research makes it clear that ‘getting Brexit done’ will deeply hurt the UK economy across the board.
Bonar Law, leader of the Conservative Party, addressing a crowd at Blehnheim Palace in 1912.
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The crisis of Conservatism of the early 20th century has some parallels for the party today.
Why does the UK media play to the Conservative Party’s strengths?
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Newspapers and broadcasters have been more likely to focus on issues the Conservatives want people to talk about.
Definitely going to ‘get Brexit done’ this time?
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Research from around the world shows that UK leaders are actually better at putting their pledges into action when they win office than voters think.
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The British electorate is volatile but one party has to benefit more than the others for that to actually affect the outcome.
Boris Johnson’s party has announced some modest spending increases.
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Before we declare the end of austerity, it is important to explore what exactly austerity was – and remind ourselves of the terrible toll it has had on many people’s lives.
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The Conservative Party’s manifesto presents a modest £2.9 billion spending increase compared to Labour’s £82.9 billion spending programme.
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Promises in the Tory manifesto on the NHS fall well short of what is needed.
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The Brexit Party’s most baffling decision is to continue to fight key Labour-held seats. But all is not what it seems.
Short-sighted?
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A political economist explains the background to Labour and the Conservatives’ new commitment to spending and borrowing.
Nigel Farage says he’s coming for Labour votes but he’s probably still more of a threat to the Conservatives.
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The anti-EU party will not contest constituencies the Conservatives won in 2017 in the upcoming general election. But it still hopes to take votes from both of the two biggest parties.
Protesters form a human chain around a fracking site in Balcombe, West Sussex.
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In Labour target constituencies in the North of England, the moratorium applies. But sites in safe Conservative areas in the South East will remain open for business.
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In order to win a majority in the upcoming election the Conservative Party is targeting traditional Labour strongholds that voted Leave.
Amber Rudd played a central role in the last election but won’t be standing this time.
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Nearly 60 members of parliament have said they won’t run again in 2019. It’s worth looking closely at who they are and why they are quitting.
Conservative leader Andrew Scheer speaks to supporters in Trois-Rivieres, Que. on Sept. 11, 2019. Scheer’s non-position on research and innovation is a cause for concern.
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Historically, the Canadian government supported Canadian innovation and discovery. This support will be threatened if a Conservative government is voted in.
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Division among the opposition parties continues to play into Boris Johnson’s hands.