I was always taught, "never bet on a sure thing". As I write this, the future of Mrs May's government still hangs in the balance following the surprise result of the general election.

Whatever happens over the next few weeks there will likely be another general election within the next 12 months. I am sure Mrs May is wishing she had not bet her career on what looked like a racing certainty.

No doubt we are in for a period of uncertainty. What this means for us, one can only guess, but I will have a go.

Europe: As I have mentioned previously in these articles, I believe that the majority of the British public would be satisfied by a Brexit which keeps us in the customs union. The hung parliament makes a soft Brexit much more likely – and according to the economic consensus this will benefit us all. The trick will be to find a negotiated settlement which gives us some limited control over immigration, while preserving the customs union and giving us tariff free access to the single market. My bet is that we, and the EU, will now find a way to make this happen.

Schools: I suspect we will hear no more of new grammar schools, and I hope and expect the proposed cuts to schools budgets will be reduced.

Business rate revision: This may also be put on the back burner. The Tories proposed a complex reorganisation, the benefit of which was questionable long term.

Pensioner benefits: By the time this article is read, I suspect we will know that the Tory proposals for means tested winter fuel allowances and revising the pensions triple lock, have been dropped.

Boundary changes: The number of constituencies was to be reduced in the UK, (and in Cumbria), before the next general election. I suspect it is now questionable whether this will go ahead. In South Lakeland we are scheduled to have a 2018 District election based on new boundaries and three member wards. I believe this will proceed as planned. Whereas, in Scotland prospects of another referendum have receded.

Welfare reform: A telling moment of the campaign was when Amber Rudd was asked if she had ever been to a foodbank. The ensuing exchange and other election campaign events highlighted the plight of those "just not managing". This clearly had an impact. My hope is that this will lead to a softening of the welfare reform. As readers will recall, I have previously agonised that we have too much child and food poverty already in Cumbria. Welfare reform was set to make it worse!

The people have decided. We are not to have a large Tory majority. Indeed we are to have no Tory majority at all. In a hung parliament, policy will have to be decided by consensus. Perhaps not a bad idea after all.

Giles Archibald, leader of South Lakeland District Council