It’s human nature to think that what is important to you is just as important to everyone else.

One of the most valuable lessons I learnt at university was after I left. I’d spent a lot of time involved in student politics – while politically neutral, it was full of terribly earnest people and I suspect I was one of the most earnest of the lot. Of course, it wasn’t long after I graduated I realised that, actually, I made very little difference (except on a few individual levels) and most people just didn’t care.

And I wonder if it’s the same with the current hoo-haa about ‘election night’.

I love election night. It’s enjoyable and exciting. I’ve been involved in a general election count for each election since 1992 in varying capacities. Each had its emotions and memories. The unexpected victory of 1992. Pride in the face of rather unpleasant jibes from the victors of 1997. A defeated candidate of 2001. Multiple re-counts in Battersea’s close run thing of 2005.

But just because I love it, does everyone else? People who are involved in politics think it’s great. There’s something special about staying up and celebrating or commiserating the results on an election night. Cheering the victories you like, jeering the winners you don’t (and these aren’t necessary based on political allegiances). But does anyone else? If you aren’t involved, or at least very interested, in politics could you give a stuff about election night?

It’s not as if the result is a surprise. Opinion polls will give a good indication. Exit polls give an almost certain result. The vast majority of people go to bed with a fair idea of the outcome and wake up unsurprised – and probably with a sense of relief the election is finally over.

One of the biggest drawbacks of election night is the lack of distance between election and new government. After a gruelling three or four week campaign, and full night of election results, the new Prime Minister must form his government and his new ministers start the administration… all while suffering sleep deprivation. Hardly the best way to do it.

Instead of having fresh ministers ready to discharge their new mandate with energy – we are run by politicians spending their first week in office recovering from the campaign.

So we have politicos supporting the retention of a tradition that relatively few participate in, and probably means we have a less effective government for the first few days than we should – just because we like staying up with a pint to watch the results.

I love election night. And can’t wait for the next one. But it isn’t perfect, and, frankly, aren’t there better things to be worrying about?

One thought on “Is election night worth saving?

  1. It’s sad you wonder that, but I can understand it. There is so much apathy in this country now and most don’t even turn up to vote these days. It is still important to those of us who care about our country and our local councils, so don’t give up.

    Unfortunately, we haven’t had a lot to be excited about recently though have we? I, and many others on Twitter, would LOVE to see Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. He really does care and what’s more, he gets things done.
    Most politicians today are good at talking, but don’t do what they promise. I think most people are just fed up with being lied to or misled.

    It is important that we have honest people in politics who still have the passion for it and who care about their country. It is a sad fact that so many people in the Tory party seem to be liars, cheats, thieves and ex cons. If they were seen to be kicked out of the party publicly, it would do the Tories the power of good.

    By the way, if you’re fed up with Twitter, you’re not alone. I am at present. I block most people who follow me as I like to interact with my followers. There are a few of us who have great conversations, albeit it small ones. I’ll tweet you with some recommendations.

    Keep up your good work and don’t lose faith. There are still quite a few of us who do care about what happens and we need good people such as yourself to redress the balance and to give us faith again.

Leave a Reply