Yesterday, two months of rapid campaigning came to a close as 68.67% of the population – the highest turnout in 20 years – headed to the polls to have their say in the snap General Election. Now, with a Hung Parliament announced, the country waits with baited breath as talks take place to decide upon a coalition government. In the meantime, focus turns to what this result could mean for the UK.

After an intense period of campaigning, and a focus on the rivalry between Labour and Conservative, the snap General Election has concluded, with neither party holding the minimum number of seats required to form a new government outright. The result is a Hung Parliament, whereby two or more parties must form a coalition. But with drastically different policies between the main parties – as well as the shadow of Brexit looming large over proceedings – the outcome of the Hung Parliament may leave us with quite a wait.

Brexit Negotiations & the Construction Industry

A huge point of contention between all parties during Election campaigning, Brexit has been a major issue in the minds of the electorate. The EU announced that Brexit negotiations will begin as early as June 19th, and the most immediate challenge for the coalition government will be to deliver those negotiations as per the EU’s timetable. If a coalition cannot be decided upon in time, however, it’s likely that the UK will need to ask for an extension.

For the construction industry, the uncertainty leading up to Brexit has remained a thorny issue. If a Coalition can be formed in a timely manner, the industry may be able to avoid further uncertainty around Brexit negotiations, and securing Britain’s future can begin in earnest. If this isn’t possible, though, it’s likely that we’ll see the industry suffer again in the short term.

If the coalition sees Labour take the helm at Westminster, we can also expect to see a surge in infrastructure investment, following leaked details around a £250bn funding pledge made early in campaigning. On the other hand, if the Conservatives take the lead, the construction industry could experience some consistency in government, leading to more long-term stability as Parliamentary priorities will scarcely change.

Internet Security

Even before campaigning for the General Election began, the Conservatives made it clear that internet security was an important priority – especially in the face of recent terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, Labour’s pledge to better fund the NHS could very likely see computer systems across the trust upgraded, following the WannaCry cyberattack.

With this in mind, it would seem that either party leading a coalition government will focus on improving internet security to tackle both cybercrime and terrorist threats. Until a result is announced, however, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how important this topic will be.

The Northern Powerhouse

Although a Conservative creation, the Northern Powerhouse has found its supporters in both the Labour Party and in local business owners. Early on in her leadership, there was concern when Mrs May didn’t immediately state her support of the movement, but she has since voiced her commitment to making the Northern Powerhouse a viable programme of growth for the region.

Likewise, the Northern Powerhouse has found support in Labour Mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram. As part of their election campaigns, both Burnham and Rotheram made promises for a high-speed train in the North – dubbed HS3 – and it’s an action they’ve both publicly pushed for during the General Election campaigning. With a Labour coalition, we could see these promises of improved infrastructure come to fruition.

Either way, the Northern Powerhouse is seemingly safe, guarded by George Osborne’s think tank and embraced by the region. For the Conservatives, the movement could help to sustain their ‘strong and stable’ narrative – which they’ll need to retain confidence in Parliament – and for Labour, it’s an opportunity to deliver exciting new infrastructure improvements to the North.

A Clear Path Forward?

If the turn out for the snap General Election has told us anything, it’s that the UK is more engaged with politics than ever before. Although we’re currently in a period of uncertainty, with a small possibility of a second election in October, it’s clear that the UK has taken to this General Election with an enthusiasm and sense of ownership not seen for some time.

As the reaction to the election result unfolds over the coming weeks, and some parties recoup their losses, one thing will remain clear: that this was an incredibly important election at a poignant time in our country’s history. Where we go from here is significant and the circumstances demand a sense of collaboration and unity that can not be based on necessarily sharing the same core values, but an overarching goal to achieve the best outcome possible for our country.

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