Sometimes it can be hard to associate our own day-to-day lives with the weird and wild state of american politics. However it affects the UK more than it may initially appear. The choices and actions of the US have very real and serious consequences on Europe and the UK, and knowing what is going on across the pond is a useful step in staying up to date.
So this tuesday last, the American public rolled up to polling station to have their say. Midterms in America are sort of a nationwide by-election mid way between a president’s term, i.e. a midterm. For 2026 all the 435 house seats were up for election and 35 out of the 100 senate seats. Whoever holds a majority in both has control on passing legislation or blocking opposition.
This year was a very crucial midterm election as Trump is halfway through his second term and historically unpopular. The rising fuel costs due to the Iran war and the cost of living crisis put a shadow over Trump’s hopes to sweep the midterms. Both Trump and the republican party’s control of congress has led to these outcomes and thus put them in a sticky situation. Losing a midterm, although quite common for a majority party, reduces the absolute power of the president.
The war especially has impacted the whole globe, leading to higher oil prices here in the UK as well as elsewhere. Alongside the military alliance with the US, the UK has been dragged into conflict in the Middle East. Its needless to say that the war is unpopular both here and in the US and therefore became a major factor at the midterms.
With the stage set the election was under way. In the end the democrats came out on top. Quite a bit on top. They won 240 seats in the house, with a majority of 218 needed, and 54 seats in the senate out of 50 required. With a majority in both, Trump’s position is more untenable than ever.
So what does this actually mean in real terms? Well the President is still in charge of the executive branch of government, so Trump has control of foreign affairs, particularly the war in Iran. However congress now a democratic stronghold, won’t be in support of the war. Infighting between the parties is highly expected and it will create a sort of roadblock for the next two years on how to continue foreign policy.
Domestically Trump still retains his veto, which will most likely lead to a stalemate in congress, neither side able to pass any new domestic laws. However this also means Trump has been muzzled for the remainder of his term. Furthermore the democrats now have the power to investigate both the republicans and Trump for actions committed while in office. This is signposting a new era for Trump politics and will definitely change how he conducts the presidency.
In conclusion, the US has reached a political stalemate, which globally is probably a beneficial thing. Trump now must be held accountable for his actions, which potentially may downgrade foreign conflicts. For the UK this is promising signs, both for the cost of living and the integrity of western democracy.
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