A very important day in the UK today. We get to choose our government for the next 5 years (probably).
A very important day in our household as well, because Sam is now 18 and eligible to vote for the first time. As a Politics student, headed for University to read Politics in September, it is a big day for my eldest boy!
So, gazing into my crystal ball, what do I see?
Well no party is likely to win an overall majority. It may be that some of the smaller parties win a few seats, like UKIP and the Green Party. It is possible that the Lib Dems will be punished for one broken promise made at the last election. It is possible that the SNP (Scottish Nationalist Party) will force Labour into a coalition after wiping them off the map in Scotland. Labour deny this will happen, but maybe any port in a storm?
One thing for sure is that we are entering a very volatile and dynamic few days and years in British politics. There is a strong possibility of Scotland becoming independent during the course of the new parliament. Maybe we will see the advent of an alternative system of voting that better reflects the way the British people vote, with seats being awarded in line with the % of the total vote gained. If the Conservatives regain power, we will see a referendum on whether we should stay in the European Union.
Like I say, a very dynamic period, and an incredible time to be voting for the first time and headed to study the subject at University. Isn't timing everything in life?
Note, I have tried to give no clues as to my poitical persuasion, or my thought son any of the things that I think will happen!
I shall sit up most of the night watching the results come in, as I have done at most elections since I was old enough and TV didn't switch off at midnight. I have a carefully selected range of beers and snacks to see me through to dawn!
Late addition.
A big day for our Ben today too. His last day at school, he finished and went on exam leave today. He got a result too, 71% for his music composition a good solid A in what is a tricky GCSE. Well done lad!
We have moved our mattress downstairs, Stephen has day off work, I'm hoping to last till 1ish, I still have school runs to do in the morning. Think Stephen would enjoy chatting with you, you've basically written our washing the pots conversation. Enjoy if that's the right word. Sam sitting up with you?
I could have written this exact post Sean except my granddaughter Lydia would be standing where Sam is standing....she is very excited to be voting for the very first time.
I too will stay up pretty much all night too as I always do........I keep saying I wil just wait for another result....I love it! No beer here though! I think the economy is the key thing, get that right & you can move on!
Quite a party night.......will be thinking of all the 365ers sitting up! @newbank
@happypat I did wonder if Lydia was voting for the 1st time today. I hope she felt it was worth the wait. I agree with you, we have to ensure the economy is in safe hands. I also think we have a responsibility to our kids and their kids to protect the planet, their planet.
@newbank@happypat I meant to put in my commentary, I turned down the opportunity to attend the count in Rushcliffe as an observer for one of the parties. One of my new year resolutions was to join a political party this year so I did! Fully paid up, was invited to the count. Declined so I can watch with Sam, probably my one and only chance.
@seanoneill Yes Thank's Sean.....Things are finally getting better this end, I had to pop back and pay my respects to the lovely Sue Wilde & see if there were any familiar faces still here....Great to see you, Hope all is well with you & your family!
It's one of those milestones that really bring home to you how much they've grown up, isn't it? I should imagine, in view of his reading politics, Sam was pleased to get the chance to vote in an election before taking up his place at university.
Good, storytelling capture, Sean.
All good wishes to Sam for the future.
@annbo pleased to hear it Ann. I didn't know Sue, but was saddened by the news. It reminds us of our own mortality when one of our community is lost. Take care old friend. X
@seanoneill I often wondered how you get to get on the front line so to speak......perhaos you could go next year instead when your boy is at uni. Jack is voting for the first time too & as he is at Sheffield uni his MP is Nick Clegg! It's reckoned by them that he may lose his seat but that the Tories are voting for Nick to keep Labour out.....wheeling & dealing LOL!
@happypat all very Machiavellian Pat. I'd feel desperately sorry for Clegg if he lost. He strikes me as a very honest man struggling to stay afloat in a nest of vipers. I added Ben's news, but like you, I am filled with love and pride in my kids and their achievements. Approaching Bagel O'Clock here!!
@yrhenwr Oh I don't know David. I think I did pretty well there, and I think my longer term predictions will come to fruition, certainly the Scottish prediction, and I hope a more representative voting system. Otherwise we are headed for a one party state in the remainder of the UK and an independent Scotland.
@seanoneill Sorry Sean.. I didn't read it carefully enough! I suppose I homed in on the 'no overall majority' line… which at 7:00 am yesterday was conventional wisdom. Not a cat in hells chance of changing first past the post as the winner gets in by that system! Labour were making mutterings in that direction in their wilderness years, but soon changed their minds after victory in 1996.
@yrhenwr No apology necessary. Yes, I go that bit wrong. I am more hopeful of changing the FPTP system. I think there is a groundswell, and it may take a couple more elections. When Scotland presses the ejector seat button we are stuck with a perpetual Tory government in the rest of the UK. I can't see the electorate allowing that, and I don't think that the Tories would want to govern in that way. Though they have a wafer thin majority now, I think that the Tories are actually in a weaker position than they were in the last parliament, with no buffer of 30 or 40 Lib Dem seats.
@seanoneill Maybe… but the default position of the Brits is 'firm' 'strong' … 'power over'…. we almost expect our leaders to be born to rule… after 1000 years of history its in the DNA! ! They seem to be suspicious of the 'collaborative', 'power with' models…. see it as being 'soft'; but I hope you are right. Interesting that the Tories share of the vote increased on 2010 by 0.8% compared to Labour's increase of 1.5%. SNP was just 3.1% and the Greens was not far behind at 2.8% yet look its effect on seats… one gains 50 seats, the other none! Iniquitous! Looks like the Lib Dems have yet again to decide whether they are economic liberals or social liberals. Interesting times but I have to own up to being more depressed post election day than on any other occasion in my life… I fear for the young.
Lovely shot Sean, congrats to both the boys.
I miss the polling station trip - I've arranged a postal vote since I started working on the ships, good job this time too coz I was twist Turkey and Sicily on the day. First I new of the result was on German TV in Munich airport on my way home.
All those big names going down!
Love the tag - I think I agree. :)
I too will stay up pretty much all night too as I always do........I keep saying I wil just wait for another result....I love it! No beer here though! I think the economy is the key thing, get that right & you can move on!
Quite a party night.......will be thinking of all the 365ers sitting up! @newbank
Good, storytelling capture, Sean.
All good wishes to Sam for the future.
I miss the polling station trip - I've arranged a postal vote since I started working on the ships, good job this time too coz I was twist Turkey and Sicily on the day. First I new of the result was on German TV in Munich airport on my way home.
All those big names going down!