Pencils at Polling Stations

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John Upham
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Pencils at Polling Stations

Post by John Upham » Thu May 06, 2021 10:06 am

I took two pencils to the Polling Station today.

When it was time to vote I could not decide which one to use : 2B or not 2B?

(A tribute to Geoff C.)
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Paul Habershon
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Re: Pencils at Polling Stations

Post by Paul Habershon » Sun May 09, 2021 2:58 pm

Putting this in a vaguely political thread rather than start a new one.

Did you see the inflatable Boris Johnson at Hartlepool? I thought it looked more like Boris Becker.

Kevin Thurlow
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Re: Pencils at Polling Stations

Post by Kevin Thurlow » Sun May 09, 2021 4:09 pm

"Did you see the inflatable Boris Johnson at Hartlepool? I thought it looked more like Boris Becker."

I was impressed when they announced the results, that the Monster Raving Loony Party Candidate (I assume from his clothes) managed to stand just behind the Returning Officer, so guaranteeing his happy smiling face would appear on TV. I was also impressed that he politely applauded all the other candidates, which not everyone did.

Paul Habershon
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Re: Pencils at Polling Stations

Post by Paul Habershon » Sun May 09, 2021 4:26 pm

Kevin Thurlow wrote:
Sun May 09, 2021 4:09 pm
"Did you see the inflatable Boris Johnson at Hartlepool? I thought it looked more like Boris Becker."

I was impressed when they announced the results, that the Monster Raving Loony Party Candidate (I assume from his clothes) managed to stand just behind the Returning Officer, so guaranteeing his happy smiling face would appear on TV. I was also impressed that he politely applauded all the other candidates, which not everyone did.
Also full marks to the Hartlepool Returning Officer, who managed to avoid breaking down in giggles as she formally read the results of the usual long list of by-election weird candidates.

Kevin Thurlow
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Re: Pencils at Polling Stations

Post by Kevin Thurlow » Sun May 09, 2021 6:52 pm

"Also full marks to the Hartlepool Returning Officer, who managed to avoid breaking down in giggles as she formally read the results of the usual long list of by-election weird candidates."

Sadly, I haven't seen footage of the Chessington South Council election where there were 13 MRLP candidates (none of them official allegedly, although I doubt the MRLP would be offended) out of the 19 candidates.

https://www.kingston.gov.uk/news/articl ... 208%20May).

gives the impression that the MRLP tridecet were official.

(A group of 13 is variously given as a Baker's Dozen and a coven, but tridecet has more gravitas.)

Neil Graham
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Re: Pencils at Polling Stations

Post by Neil Graham » Mon May 10, 2021 11:54 am

Kevin Thurlow wrote:
Sun May 09, 2021 6:52 pm
"Also full marks to the Hartlepool Returning Officer, who managed to avoid breaking down in giggles as she formally read the results of the usual long list of by-election weird candidates."

Sadly, I haven't seen footage of the Chessington South Council election where there were 13 MRLP candidates (none of them official allegedly, although I doubt the MRLP would be offended) out of the 19 candidates.

https://www.kingston.gov.uk/news/articl ... 208%20May).

gives the impression that the MRLP tridecet were official.

(A group of 13 is variously given as a Baker's Dozen and a coven, but tridecet has more gravitas.)
There might just be a crumb of comfort for Mike Basman in that the total for all 13 MRLP candidates combined failed to reach the number of votes cast in his favour in this ward. Anyway if you have a choice between 13 candidates for the same party which one do you vote for? Those at the bottom of the list (Rev. Robbie -The Radical Recyclist for example) were less popular than those at the top - Robbie scored a poor 1 vote whereas Undertaking Director Brunskill scored a magnificent 16 votes. Finally spare a thought for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidate whose seven votes was bettered by six of the Loonies. The populace of Chessington would clearly rather have a Loony in power than a Trade Unionist!

Kevin Thurlow
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Re: Pencils at Polling Stations

Post by Kevin Thurlow » Mon May 10, 2021 12:19 pm

"The populace of Chessington would clearly rather have a Loony in power than a Trade Unionist!"

Yes - I was thinking that. A friend of mine lives there and I must ask how much campaigning the candidates did, although I got the impression, he would pretend to be out if any of them knocked at the door!

Reg Clucas
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Re: Pencils at Polling Stations

Post by Reg Clucas » Mon May 10, 2021 4:14 pm

Kevin Thurlow wrote:
Sun May 09, 2021 6:52 pm

Sadly, I haven't seen footage of the Chessington South Council election where there were 13 MRLP candidates
Brings to mind the Monty Python election sketch - "That's going to split the Silly vote!"

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MJMcCready
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Re: Pencils at Polling Stations

Post by MJMcCready » Tue May 11, 2021 9:38 am

Reg Clucas wrote:
Mon May 10, 2021 4:14 pm
Kevin Thurlow wrote:
Sun May 09, 2021 6:52 pm

Sadly, I haven't seen footage of the Chessington South Council election where there were 13 MRLP candidates
Brings to mind the Monty Python election sketch - "That's going to split the Silly vote!"
Would that have something to do with the North Minehead by-election, feat. Adolf Hilter?

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MJMcCready
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Re: Pencils at Polling Stations

Post by MJMcCready » Tue May 11, 2021 9:38 am

John Upham wrote:
Thu May 06, 2021 10:06 am
I took two pencils to the Polling Station today.

When it was time to vote I could not decide which one to use : 2B or not 2B?

(A tribute to Geoff C.)
Did you arrive with plenty of lead in your pencil? :D :D :D

Matthew Turner
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Re: Pencils at Polling Stations

Post by Matthew Turner » Tue May 11, 2021 10:26 am

MJMcCready wrote:
Tue May 11, 2021 9:38 am
Reg Clucas wrote:
Mon May 10, 2021 4:14 pm
Kevin Thurlow wrote:
Sun May 09, 2021 6:52 pm

Sadly, I haven't seen footage of the Chessington South Council election where there were 13 MRLP candidates
Brings to mind the Monty Python election sketch - "That's going to split the Silly vote!"
Would that have something to do with the North Minehead by-election, feat. Adolf Hilter?
It is a different skit, it is available here, definitely worth a listen I'd say.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFc5kJUMFzM

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