On November 5th, the world will be watching as the United States elects its new president. Current Vice President Kamala Harris, leading the Democratic Party, and former President Donald Trump, will draw hundreds of millions of people to the polls.
In the UK, businesses and individuals will be watching the results closely. Historically, the US and UK have had strong economic ties, and the election result will undoubtedly affect businesses nationwide.
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How Have US Elections Historically Affected The UK?
The US and UK have very strong ties, once described as the ‘Special Relationship’. This became famous in the late 20th Century when Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President Ronald Reagan were very public about their diplomatic alliance.
The new president could have a huge impact on the UK, especially in areas such as:
Military and intelligence cooperation: Since the Cold War, the UK and US have been strong military allies. This has a huge impact on international safety, with the US military being the largest army in the world. When it comes to intelligence sharing, the US CIA and the UK MI6 and MI5 secret services have been close allies in information sharing, helping to protect much of the western world.
Trade: After Brexit, the UK has relied heavily on beneficial trade agreements with the US. If the President were to create harsher trade costs for importers, this would affect UK businesses that ship to the US.
Financial markets: The US elections always come with a level of volatility in the financial markets. This affects individuals and investors with money tied up in the US. Elections have also seen volatility in the pound/dollar exchange rate, which can affect businesses that operate in both currencies.
Here, we look at how those looking to follow the election in real-time from the UK can do so.
How To Watch The U.S. Election Live From The UK
For those in the UK that want to follow the election live, you have a few options.
For UK-Based Reporting
If you wanted to follow the election from a UK perspective, broadcasters like the BBC are likely to be streaming updates throughout the evening. You can follow these either through your television or through streaming services like BBC iPlayer. The BBC will likely feature regular updates and panels with experts.
It’s worth noting that to watch this, you do need a UK TV licence.
For US-Based Reporting
If you wanted to follow from a US perspective, it’s worth looking into a VPN. VPNs allow you to connect to US servers and unlock regional-based content like local news stations.
Once connected, you will be able to access content on broadcasters like CBS, CNN and NBC. These national news stations are likely to provide the best on the ground reporting, as they will have exclusive access to some of the top political commentators across the US.
More from VPNs
How To Choose A VPN To Watch The US Election
When thinking about what VPN to choose, it’s worth considering a few things, including:
US Server availability: Election night is bound to draw in tons of viewers from around the world. VPNs work by accessing servers in another country. Look around for VPNs that have multiple servers in the US, this means you’ll be able to access one easily without overcrowding one server.
Price: Not all VPNs are free, though many of them do have free trial periods. Consider the price when shopping around. Whilst one may be slightly more expensive than the other, if it’s going to provide a better service and more security, it’s definitely worth investing.
Security: When it comes to privacy and protection, not all VPNs are created equally. Look for one with a strong encryption policy to help protect your information online.
Ease of use: When choosing a VPN, you want to make sure it’s easy to use. Look for options that have an intuitive user-experience to help you connect with speed and easy.
How To Connect To A VPN To Watch The US Election
1. Download A VPN
Once you’ve done your research and decided which VPN you want to use, download it onto your chosen device or devices!
2. Install The VPN
After download, you’ll need to install the VPN on your device. Most VPNs come with easy install instructions, so this step shouldn’t take too long and you should be up and running in no time.
3. Connect To A Server In The US
Next, choose to connect to a server in the US and then connect to it. You should get confirmation when this has happened, so you know you’re online.
4. Choose The Channel You Want To Watch
Once you’ve connected, you can choose the channel you want to watch the US election on. If you still can’t access the content, you might need to reboot the VPN. If you can, happy watching!
5. Disconnect When Done
When you’ve finished watching the coverage, you’ll need to disconnect form the US server. That way you can continue accessing UK based content once finished.
Following The US Election
Tuesday’s US election is going to be a heavily watched event all over the world. If you want to access US based content from outside of the US, you’ll need to use a VPN to do so.
As long as you make sure your choice is secure, you can enjoy the coverage on Election Night with complete peace of mind.
