Election results: No change, divisions, turmoil, dinosaurs and Boris Johnson - Five takeaways from Vote 2021
From a constitutional collision course and woes for Sir Keir Starmer to curtains for mavericks - what the poll results tell us.
Saturday 8 May 2021 18:26, UK
These were no change elections
There is no doubt that the results of these elections across England, Scotland and Wales were dramatic, topped by a Conservative MP capturing the Labour heartland of Hartlepool for the first time in a half a century.
But in truth the votes confirmed the pre-existing balance of power.
UK elections live: Follow latest results and reaction as 'Super Thursday' votes counted
Electorates stuck with incumbent governments which have been dealing with the pandemic and particularly the successful vaccine rollout.
So rather than give the old order a kicking, the same party has now been in control in Wales for 22 years, Scotland for 14 years and the UK, especially England, for 11 years.
Divisions between Scotland and England are deeper than ever
The status quo means that Boris Johnson's Conservatives dominate the UK and Nicola Sturgeon's SNP dominate Scotland.
The prime minister and first minister are now locked into a head on clash of the Titans over Indyref2 - which is likely to shape UK politics for the next few years.
For sure Scotland is split roughly 50/50 on wanting a referendum soon and on the fundamental Yes/No to the independence question.
But more than half of the votes on 6 May have gone to parties - the SNP and Greens - who ran on manifestos for both.
Ms Sturgeon is demanding that Mr Johnson "respect" the expressed will of the Scottish people - Mr Johnson says this call is "irresponsible and reckless".
Ironically, it may suit both of them to stick to posturing for now, since neither can be sure which way the Scots will go in another referendum.
Ms Sturgeon could benefit from building up resentment of an English PM denying the will of the Scots.
Mr Johnson hopes that a UK-wide recovery from COVID will persuade more Scots that independence is not worth the economic risk.
No end to Labour turmoil
In December 2019 Jeremy Corbyn chalked up one of Labour's worst ever election results.
He was comprehensively rejected.
Yet Mr Corbyn and his allies including Diane Abbott, Richard Burgon and Len McCluskey have been loud after this week's results attacking Sir Keir Starmer's attempts to reform the party.
From the New Labour side Lord Adonis has derided Sir Keir as "not a leader".
Labour plans a policy review, a shadow cabinet reshuffle, and there will be mutterings about choosing a new leader.
But so far no-one has a bright idea how to keep Labour's dwindling body of support together.
Opportunity may come for the party if Mr Johnson fails to deliver on his promises to "level up" economically in what used to be Labour "red wall" constituencies.
Mavericks are dinosaurs
The Conservative surge was down to their success uniting the Brexit vote.
Mr Johnson did "get Brexit done".
Most voters who supported UKIP and the Brexit parties now back the Tories.
Turnout has been exceptionally high in these elections, and more people are opting for mainstream parties.
This is bad news for colourful characters, who've built a big profile as mavericks.
Nigel Farage has effectively given up politics and reverted to his former role as a City boy, promising "freedom and fortune" to those who follow his investment tips.
Reform, the rebranded Brexit party, stalled in the elections.
Party leader Richard Tice chose not to stand again in Hartlepool.
In Scotland, two big beasts formed new movements in the hope of a comeback.
George Galloway, the former Labour and Respect MP, now represents the Workers Party and the pro-Union All for Unity.
Having been found not guilty on charges of sex assault in the courts, the former SNP leader and first minister of Scotland Alex Salmond created the new Alba Party.
Alba, which is Gaelic for Scotland, wanted to put pressure on the SNP for an immediate referendum and argued it would contribute to a "super majority" for independence thanks to proportional representation.
Neither Mr Galloway nor Mr Salmond will be elected to the Holyrood parliament.
It's all up to Boris Johnson
There is one controversial big beast still standing: Boris Johnson.
To an unusual degree what happens next in UK politics will depend on his personality.
He is good at getting into scrapes but he is also "a vote winner", a celebrity mobbed by the public wherever he goes.
So clear conventional leadership and policy delivery have not been his strong points.
He is not popular in Scotland and will struggle to charm the majority there who seem to want to escape from his rule.
As the inevitable squeeze follows the big spending necessitated by the pandemic, he faces a challenge too satisfying the demands and needs of the voters who boosted the Conservatives this week.