In what follows, a group of leading social scientists explore these themes, explaining what has happened in the past, the situation the UK finds itself in now, and the issues that might confront us going forward. The collection is intended as a guide to the big questions confronting the country in the years to come.

Liberal Democrats wrest seats from Tories and Labour, while Labour win back seat in Hartlepool borough.

After Britain leaves the European Union some 900 Britons serving on local councils in France will also have to give up their seat at the table. / Britons in France have the right to vote in local elections and stand for election ... But in leaving the bloc Britain will forfeit that right ... British residents will no longer be able to represent the communities some have served for years.

A council election candidate who lost by one vote after a ballot paper with ‘Brexit’ written on it was counted as a vote for the Tories is preparing a legal challenge to the result.

How did a sweeping local elections vote for Remain parties become an instruction to “just get Brexit done”? / ALEX SOBEL, the pro-People’s Vote Labour MP for Leeds North West, joins us to unpick the spin around a vote that saw both Labour and the Tories receive a bloody nose – and then try to explain it away.

Local elections point to Remain but big parties sell mantra of ‘need to deliver Brexit’.

For the first time in living memory, the Mendip ward has elected a councillor who is not a Tory

No reasons to be cheerful in either Labour or Tory ranks, a comeback of sorts for the Lib Dems and a surge for Independents. Was it a Brexit election? What does it mean for the Brexit process?

Big swings from Labour to pro-EU Liberal Democrats and Greens prove need to guarantee new referendum, Labour leader told - but he insists 'a deal has to be done'.

Gerard Batten's party fails to capitalise on Tory collapse despite absence of Farage's Brexit Party from ballot papers.

The anti-Brexit party is up by more than 250 seats in early counting while both Tories and Labour struggle.

Councils in Northern Ireland will start counting on Friday morning and results are expected either later on Friday or on Saturday.

Results so far from local elections in England and Northern Ireland suggest voters are unhappy with the two main parties in Westminster.

In swiftly deleted tweet, London-based politician says: ‘I just voted Conservative’. / Boris Johnson is facing widespread criticism after claiming to have voted Conservative in the local elections despite living in an area where they were not taking place.

Liberal Democrats see surge as some predictions forecast gain of up to 500 seats

Voters have punished the two main parties over Brexit as the Tories and Labour both suffered early losses in the English local council elections, with the Liberal Democrats making big gains.

The two biggest parties hemorrhaged support in areas they once considered strongholds.

The Conservatives and Labour have faced a backlash at the ballot box over the Brexit deadlock, with smaller parties and independents winning seats.