May 7, 2010 UK General Election 2010

general election 2010

11:00 I’m awake again. I can’t sleep much. I turn on the TV to catch up on the election results. What is going? What will the politicians do next?. I hope they’ve had more sleep than me.

I eat breakfast and read The Guardian online message boards. Time flies when I do this. A couple of hours later I eat dinner. I’ve not slept properly in 36 hours and everything is fuzzy.

14:30 I arrive back at Stevenage Leisure Centre. The local count’s in progress. This time I wander around. It’s a similar set up as yesterday but with each ward having a separate couple of tables.

The team I’ve spent the last month canvassing with are focussed on Manor ward. One of our councillors retired from here this year, and we’ve made a big effort to get our new guy John Mead elected.

It’s all a bit of an anti-climax after last night.

I go and check out Chells ward. I’ve been delivering leaflets in Chells, but didn’t cross paths with Gareth Steiner, our candidate there. I introduce myself to Gareth. He thanks me for all the deliveries.

Sharon Taylor, the defeated Labour candidate is there. I offer her commiserations on her defeat. She is trying to look on the bright side. Her daughter is getting married in September and she will now have more time to enjoy the wedding and preparations.

16:00 (ish) The returning officer announces the results. John wins in Manor, which was the result we were working on. Gareth has done well and increased the LibDem vote, but not good enough to take the seat. Maybe next time he will get a break through.

Everything else stays the same I think. Perhaps the Conservatives win one from Labour. I am not sure as my mind is definitely beginning to dull with lack of sleep now.

I see Stephen McPartland, out new Conservative MP. I congratulate him on his win. He says, “it’s not sunk in yet.” He looks like he hasn’t slept much either. Close up I realise how young he is. He’s only thirty-three. He says lots of positive things.

I see Howard. “Book at Bedtime,” he says.

“Wah?” I mumble.

“The one across the top”

“Huh?”

“The crossword clue we couldn’t get”

The penny drops. Was it really 34 hours ago we were doing that crossword in Fry Road?

17:00 I’m out on my feet. The talk’s of a hung parliament and in all likelihood another election soon.

Someone mentions me running as a councillor next year.

I must get some sleep first. I go home.

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