John Oliver expertly manages to make the British election funny


If you found yourself struggling to keep up with (or care about) the British general election that took place last week, fear not, John Oliver is here to help. On Sunday's Last Week Tonight, he explained why the U.K. is in the midst of a "crumpetf—k of epic proportions" that is entirely the making of one Prime Minister Theresa May.
After voluntarily calling the general election to boost her own power going into Brexit negotiations, May got a rude awakening when she lost her Conservative Party's majority in Parliament. How did this happen? Well, it might have something to do with her inability to provide a straight answer to the question of how, exactly, she intends to negotiate the terms of the U.K.'s upcoming split from the European Union. Oliver explains the stakes: What happens to EU citizens living in the U.K.? What about Northern Ireland? And what about all those pet passports that will need to be obtained?!
Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is chipping away at her majority whilst embarking on "history's most catastrophic rounding of second base."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Brexit negotiations will be tough, and the catastrophic general election certainly hasn't made anything easier. But, Oliver says, "British politics, when done well, can be very fun." Indeed. Watch below (but beware NSFW language). Jessica Hullinger
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jessica Hullinger is a writer and former deputy editor of The Week Digital. Originally from the American Midwest, she completed a degree in journalism at Indiana University Bloomington before relocating to New York City, where she pursued a career in media. After joining The Week as an intern in 2010, she served as the title’s audience development manager, senior editor and deputy editor, as well as a regular guest on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. Her writing has featured in other publications including Popular Science, Fast Company, Fortune, and Self magazine, and she loves covering science and climate-related issues.
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump stands by Hegseth amid ouster reports
Speed Read The president dismissed reports that he was on the verge of firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a second national security breach
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Hegseth reportedly shared war plans in 2nd group text
Speed Read The defense secretary sent information about an attack in Yemen to a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cuts
Speed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deportee
Speed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't last
Speed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's Shapiro
Speed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
By Peter Weber, The Week US