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05/05/2005
Voting under way in General Election
The British public have been heading out to the polls to decide the next government in today’s general election.
Prime Minister Tony Blair was the first of the three main political leaders to cast his vote at his Sedgefield constituency. His wife Cherie and two sons Nicky and Euan joined Mr Blair this morning.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy was joined by his wife Sarah to vote in Fort William in his constituency of Ross and Skye, while Conservative leader Michael Howard went to vote this afternoon in his constituency in Folkestone, after reportedly indulging in some last-minute campaigning at a party telephone call centre. Labour’s deputy leader John Prescott also participated in some election campaigning, e-mailing Labour supporters earlier today.
Polls across the country opened for votes at 7am this morning and will remain open until 10:00pm. Results are widely expected to begin coming in around 11:30pm, with the outcome of the election likely to begin taking shape around 01:00am tomorrow morning.
Local elections are also taking place in 34 councils and three unitary authorities in England, as well as four mayoral contests. Northern Ireland is also holding elections in all of the 26 local councils as well as the 18 Westminster seats.
At the end of the last Parliament, Labour had 410 MPs, while the Conservatives had 164 and the Liberal Democrats 54. In order to gain a majority, one party needs to win 324 seats.
A Guardian/ICM poll placed Labour in the lead in the election race with 38% of the vote, although the Conservatives were close behind on 32% and the Liberal Democrats on 22%. A Times Populus poll revealed similar results, placing Labour on 37.9%, the Conservatives on 31.7% and the Liberal Democrats on 21.4%.
It has been reported that there are likely to be tough battles for a number of key marginal seats and voter turnout could prove to be crucial. At the 2001 election, voter turnout fell to 59%, the lowest level since 1918. Postal voting could prove to have an impact, with around six million people registered to vote.
However, there have been widespread concerns voiced regarding possible election fraud in recent weeks.
(KMcA/SP)
Prime Minister Tony Blair was the first of the three main political leaders to cast his vote at his Sedgefield constituency. His wife Cherie and two sons Nicky and Euan joined Mr Blair this morning.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy was joined by his wife Sarah to vote in Fort William in his constituency of Ross and Skye, while Conservative leader Michael Howard went to vote this afternoon in his constituency in Folkestone, after reportedly indulging in some last-minute campaigning at a party telephone call centre. Labour’s deputy leader John Prescott also participated in some election campaigning, e-mailing Labour supporters earlier today.
Polls across the country opened for votes at 7am this morning and will remain open until 10:00pm. Results are widely expected to begin coming in around 11:30pm, with the outcome of the election likely to begin taking shape around 01:00am tomorrow morning.
Local elections are also taking place in 34 councils and three unitary authorities in England, as well as four mayoral contests. Northern Ireland is also holding elections in all of the 26 local councils as well as the 18 Westminster seats.
At the end of the last Parliament, Labour had 410 MPs, while the Conservatives had 164 and the Liberal Democrats 54. In order to gain a majority, one party needs to win 324 seats.
A Guardian/ICM poll placed Labour in the lead in the election race with 38% of the vote, although the Conservatives were close behind on 32% and the Liberal Democrats on 22%. A Times Populus poll revealed similar results, placing Labour on 37.9%, the Conservatives on 31.7% and the Liberal Democrats on 21.4%.
It has been reported that there are likely to be tough battles for a number of key marginal seats and voter turnout could prove to be crucial. At the 2001 election, voter turnout fell to 59%, the lowest level since 1918. Postal voting could prove to have an impact, with around six million people registered to vote.
However, there have been widespread concerns voiced regarding possible election fraud in recent weeks.
(KMcA/SP)
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15 April 2005
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Concerns rise over potential postal vote fraud
Concerns are rising that a dramatic increase in postal voting applications could lead to fraud in the next general election. A Guardian survey of twenty key marginal constituencies indicated that postal voting was “soaring”, with applications in some areas increasing by more than 300% since the last general election in 2001.
06 May 2010
Voting Begins In General Election
Polling day is here with millions of people across the UK casting their votes in the General Election. Polling Stations up and down the country opened at 7am this morning and will remain open until 10pm tonight. Some 44 million people are registered to vote and the first declarations are expected at 11pm tonight.
Voting Begins In General Election
Polling day is here with millions of people across the UK casting their votes in the General Election. Polling Stations up and down the country opened at 7am this morning and will remain open until 10pm tonight. Some 44 million people are registered to vote and the first declarations are expected at 11pm tonight.
04 May 2007
Election drubbing for Labour
Labour has experienced huge losses in England and Wales, and the SNP has made inroads in Scotland in Thursday's elections. As counting continued on Friday, revealing a Labour slide, in spite of the losses Prime Minister Tony Blair was defiant that Labour had a "good springboard" for a General Election.
Election drubbing for Labour
Labour has experienced huge losses in England and Wales, and the SNP has made inroads in Scotland in Thursday's elections. As counting continued on Friday, revealing a Labour slide, in spite of the losses Prime Minister Tony Blair was defiant that Labour had a "good springboard" for a General Election.
07 January 2015
Labour Councillor Suspended Over Auschwitz Tweet
A Labour councillor has been suspended from the party after she retweeted a conservative election poster containing a picture of Auschwitz. Nottingham councillor Rosemary Healy insisted she did not see what the picture was of and issued "profound apologies". The poster reads: "Let's stay on the road to a stronger economy.
Labour Councillor Suspended Over Auschwitz Tweet
A Labour councillor has been suspended from the party after she retweeted a conservative election poster containing a picture of Auschwitz. Nottingham councillor Rosemary Healy insisted she did not see what the picture was of and issued "profound apologies". The poster reads: "Let's stay on the road to a stronger economy.
07 May 2015
Polling Stations Open For General Election Voting
Around 50,000 polling stations across the UK have opened to allow people to cast their votes in the General Election. Polls opened at 7am and will remain open until 10pm. Around 50 million people are registered to vote in this election, which will see 650 Westminster MPs elected.
Polling Stations Open For General Election Voting
Around 50,000 polling stations across the UK have opened to allow people to cast their votes in the General Election. Polls opened at 7am and will remain open until 10pm. Around 50 million people are registered to vote in this election, which will see 650 Westminster MPs elected.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
