Ireland combines an idiosyncratic party system with an oddly familiar electoral system, but today's election could usher in a period of uncertainty.
Category: British Isles
Fascism and the royals
No-one actually thinks the queen was a Nazi at age seven, but that's not what this particular controversy is about.
The limits of Europe, part II
Russia and Britain, for all their obvious differences, have the same sort of equivocal relationship with Europe: unmistakably European powers, but with interests and traditions that draw them elsewhere.
Well, that was easy
Contrary to expectation, Britain's Conservative Party wins a parliamentary majority. But the electoral system, very much as expected, failed to give people anything like what they voted for.
What to look for in Britain
Your handy guide to interpreting the British election results.
What a dreadful electoral system this is!
For those who wanted a demonstration of the faults of a non-proportional electoral system, Britain is now providing it in spades.
British may stick with the coalition habit
Last time around, the British electorate returned a hung parliament for the first time since 1974. Next month it looks likely that they'll do it again.
UKIP scores again
The UK Independence Party wins itself a second seat in the House of Commons. It's bad news for the Conservatives, and not much joy for Labour or the Lib Dems either.
Scotland almost live
Scotland votes decisively against reclaiming its independence.
Mr Abbott takes on the Scots
The Australian prime minister has a go at telling Scotland which way it should vote in next month's independence referendum. Scots are unlikely to be impressed.
The World is Not Enough 