Underblog.co.uk

For this election, poll cards were delivered to me at both my home and university address. As I understand it, people with two adresses are allowed to vote in both places in local elections but only once in the general election.

I went to the polls in the morning at university, and then went home to vote in the county council elections there as well. When I went to the polling station at home, I pointed out that I should not be given a ballot for the parliamentary election, because I’d already voted in it. An official warned me very sternly, “You will be breaking the law if you exercise your right to vote in this constituency”. I thought this a slightly strange thing to say; it can’t be my “right to vote” if do so would be breaking the law! Anyway, if had I been intending to break the law I could have done so quite easily without bringing it to their attention. I asked if I was able to vote in the county council election, and at first the guy seemed slightly uncertain, but eventually said to the woman handing out ballots “He can have a yellow one”, as if giving me the benefit of the doubt over a point that was debatable.

I’m now not sure that I should have voted twice, because both my addresses are in the same county (but in different divisions). So does anyone know if I broke the law after all, and if so what I should do about it? (more…)

Reports are emerging of an explosion at the UK consulate in New York. Be sure to READ THIS.

Read some stuff, if time allows.

Watch this.

Realise that Labour are going to win this election, “possibly with a majority of more than 100″.

Get angry.

Calm down.

Think.

Vote.

OK, no more detailed analysis of legal advice for now. I just want to say one more thing before the election tomorrow. The choice at this election is between a very large Labour majority and a reasonably large labour majority. Everyone knows that Labour cannot lose, whatever nonsense Bliar is spouting about back doors and 1 in 10 labour voters being able to let the tories in by staying at home.

It isn’t true.

Blair knows he’s won the election. Labour think they’ll win a majority of 90+, which in historical terms would be considered a landslide. What Blair is really worried about is only(!) getting a majority of 40 or so, which would force new labour to listen to parliament. David Blunkett (coming to a cabinet post near you) has admitted as much. It’s their worst-case scenario, and democracy’s best-case scenario, and what we should vote for tomorrow.

Resist the scaremongering. Hold your nerve. Explain the position to family and friends (this might help). With enough support, and a bit of luck, Blair will have resigned by the end of the month.

Chicken Yoghurt will be be blogging through election night. See you on the other side.