Is the old left/right divide over? This week will see the first local elections since last year’s earth-shattering national vote. Some think we are entering a new political era.
UK faces biggest shakeup in 100 years
Decision day: Elections will take place tomorrow in 23 councils in England, alongside six mayoral elections. Glossary
Liberals - Liberalism is a school of political thought that stresses individual liberty. Liberals believe that society should not try to impose values or behaviours on individuals but should be tolerant of different lifestyles.
Conservatives - A traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories.
Protectionism - The idea or act of protecting a country's domestic industries by taxing imports from foreign countries.
Left - A grouping of political ideologies that tend to emphasise the equality of all human beings and the importance of redistributing wealth to create more economic equality.
Right - The "right" (or "right-wing") tends to align with conservative and traditional ideologies, often emphasising individual responsibility, limited government, and traditional social structures.
Laissez-faire - "Leave alone" in French. A common phrase in English usage now, meaning to leave things to take their own course, without interfering.
Trade unions - An organisation of workers who band together to negotiate their wages and working conditions collectively, on grounds that this gives them more bargaining power.
Labour party - The main left-wing political party in the UK.
Liberal Democrats - Also known as the Lib Dems, a liberal political party in the UK.
Reform - Making big changes to how a system works.
Greens - In England and Wales, the Green Party is a left-wing political party. It argues for more taxation and more spending.
Tories - The Tory Party was the former name of the Conservative Party. The phrase is still used to refer to Conservatives.
Coalitions - Different groups or parties working together to lead.
Midlands - The central part of England between Northern and Southern England. It includes Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Centrist - Occupying a position on the political spectrum between left and right.
Technocratic - A technocrat is a person with political power who is an expert in their field, e.g. economics, rather than a career politician.
Welfare - Welfare can take a variety of forms, such as monetary payments, subsidies and vouchers, or housing assistance.