U.K. GOVERNMENT HANGS IN BALANCE

Our friends on the British isles spent Thursday at their local polling stations after PM Theresa May called for a snap election in an attempt to strengthen her hand in Brexit negotiations. After the vote resulted in a hung parliament—where no party has enough seats to secure an overall majority—May has secured permission from Her Majesty the Queen to join with the Democratic Unionist party and seek to lead Government. The result leaves uncertainty for the British music business.

Both the Conservatives and the DUP are pro-Brexit with talks to initiate Britain’s exit from the EU set to begin in 10 days. In the meantime, some politicians are questioning May’s ability to lead. Labour, which secured 40% of the vote over the Conservatives’ 42%, will try to pressure her to resign and form its own coalition.

Despite the foggy landscape, music trade bodies are remaining hopeful for policies that support investment, exports, better define Safe Harbour rules and anti-piracy measures. You'll hear about further developments when we do.