USA votes: Reflections on Biden/Harris

The recent US elections provided many across the globe with a nervous five-day wait for a decision on the country’s next president. With early-called, big swing states like Florida sticking with Donald Trump, it quickly became apparent a ‘blue wave’ was not quite upon us. But the unique nature of voting in the middle of a pandemic eventually delivered Joe Biden and Kamala Harris a clear victory. The traditional ‘blue wall’ states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin returned to the Democrats, and more ambitious victories were won in Arizona and Georgia.

When the pair enter the White House on 20 January next year, they will inherit the colossal tasks of bringing the sprawling pandemic under control, taking immediate action on the climate crisis, addressing deep racial inequalities, and repairing American institutions at home and abroad after the damage of the Trump years. Not to mention, the new leadership will be charged with trying to heal the bitter political and cultural divisions running through many aspects of daily life and discourse.

Critical for the Democrats’ hopes of delivering change are the two run-off Senate races in Georgia in the new year. Winning both is essential for gaining control of Congress, and clearing important legislative obstacles which have caused many problems for progressive agendas in recent years.

All this in addition to a turbulent transition of power at the hands of a petulant, defeated president on his way out. Join us and our guests for this reflection on results and exploration of prospects for the centre left in the US going forward. There is a lot in play, and a lot of work to do.