A hung parliament suggests continued uncertainty and volatility for the UK economy, but the election results bring a small victory for diversity.

Following news of a hung parliament, continued uncertainty from a political and business perspective seems inevitable. But one understated coup for the snap election is that the public have cast their votes for diversity in these volatile times.

More young voters

Political apathy is now a thing of the past in the UK. Voter turnout was the highest since 1997,  up by 2 per cent to 69 per cent. Turnout has also increased more in seats with young people (voters between 18 and 24), and Labour’s vote appears to have advanced proportionately in constituencies where the turnout increased most.

More female MPs

A record number of female MPs have been elected. There will be more than 200 women in this Parliament, outnumbering the 196 women elected in 2015.
Around 30 per cent of candidates were women this year, up from 26 per cent in 2015.

The Conservatives won 13 seats in Scotland – the party’s best performance in Scotland since 1983, led by Tory leader Ruth Davidson.

First female Sikh MP

In another victory for diversity, Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill retained the party’s seat in Birmingham Edgbaston, becoming the UK’s first female Sikh MP. The seat of Birmingham Edgbaston has been consistently represented by women since 1953.

Actual numbers paint a different picture

In terms of actual numbers, however, the number of women standing was down from 1,036 to 983.