UK elections

The local elections in the UK are over and most results known. In Scotland and Wales they were electing their regional Parliaments while in England (and Scotland) they were electing local authorities.

In Scotland, the SNP have gained 20 seats to have 47 seats to 46 for Labour. The Lib Dems have 16 and Tories 17 with three held by minors. You need 65 seats to govern so an SNP/Lib Dem coalition gets them 63, so they need to pick up two of three minors – probably the Greens. Despite their narrow win, I doubt Scotland will go Independent – polls show less than 30% support, but a referendum is likely and as campaigns start, they can change.

Wales saw Labour lose only three seats to have 26 out of 60 seats. Tories have 12, Lib Dems 6 and Plaid Cymru 15. Probably Labour/Lib Dem Government.

In the local Councils, Labour lost control of a further eight and now control only 33, compared to 157 for the Tories and 22 for the Lib Dems.

Scotland also had a major fuck up with their ballot papers and up to 100,000 were spoiled. Everyone who laughed at the inability of the US to have clear voting papers should now laugh at Scotland louder.