The midterm results could open the door to an era of cooperation

Analysis: Republicans and Democrats may create congressional deadlock but, as Chris Stevenson explains, neither party will want to see an increase in presidential executive orders

US politics faces a new reality (AFP/Getty Images)

After tens of millions of votes had been totted up in one of the most keenly anticipated midterm elections in recent memory, America has ended up with gridlock.

Hoping to ride a “blue wave” of candidates to electoral success, the Democrats achieved the objective of taking control of the House of Representatives from the Republicans. While that is an obvious setback for the Republican Party – and therefore to Donald Trump in the White House – it is nowhere near a mortal blow.