UK elections 2021

As results come in for Thursday's local elections, Stephen Bush, Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea discuss what the vote is likely to reveal – and the "known unknowns" they're most interested to learn about. Then, in You Ask Us, they answer listener questions on whether Labour are setting out a positive view of its plans for the UK. Further reading Follow the election results as they come in, on our exclusive ward-by-ward election results tracker. Stephen Bush assesses why Labour did so badly in Hartlepool. Chris Deerin discusses why failing to win an SNP majority would be dangerous for Nicola Sturgeon. How to listen to the New Statesman podcast 1. In your browser You can use the player above to listen in your browser right now. The New Statesman podcast publishes twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays. All episodes are published to newstatesman.com/podcasts on the day of release. Subscribers to the New Statesman can access episodes a day early, in our subscriber edition. 2. In a podcast app The New Statesman podcast is available on all major podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, Google Podcasts, and more. Search 'New Statesman podcast' in your favourite podcast app, and subscribe or follow to make sure you receive episodes as soon as they publish. While you're there, please leave a review for the podcast - it helps others find the show, which in turn makes it possible for us to keep making it. 3. On your smart speaker If you have an Amazon Echo, Google Home or Apple HomePod smart speaker, ask it to "play the latest episode of the New Statesman podcast". The same command also works with virtual assistants on mobile devices.