Reform UK’s surge and Trump’s Iran war: what it means for construction

By Chloë McCulloch2026-05-13T06:00:00

Last week’s elections have reshaped local power across the UK, creating hung councils and planning uncertainty just as the Gulf conflict drives up costs – with big implications for development pipelines, prices and delivery, says Chloe McCulloch

Here we go again. Yet more political upheaval and uncertainty for UK businesses. Last week’s elections across Scotland, Wales and councils in England have reshaped the political balance of power, and have sent the Labour party into a leadership tailspin. It’s all a stark contrast to the hopes for much-needed stability after Keir Starmer’s general election landslide in 2024.

Instead, the recent polls show voters have backed parties from the right (Reform UK), the nationalist centre-left (Plaid, SNP) and the environmental left (Greens), while the two main traditional parties (Labour and the Conservatives) took heavy losses and the Lib Dems made modest gains in England, while performing well in Scotland but badly in Wales.

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