
I have the privilege of knowing several people involved in the polling station and counting side of our various elections. When I go for the first part of my 10,000 steps each day (assuming the weather is not too bad) at about 6am I walk past three of the polling station venues which this morning were all very busy as the staff were setting out the posters and preparing the rooms for the voters. Over the last few days both in terms of my friends who are doing these tasks and indeed in one case our client who relies on my company for screens and wireless systems to carry out the work, the indications are that very few of these people are really pleased to be dealing with these issues at this time in the year. Behind the scenes there will have been hard work carried out by Police Officers to plan for the various challenges that may occur from protecting some of the candidates from abuse to preparing for reactions from our nation depending on the outcome tomorrow. There will also be a health related issue for the elderly population, some people with mental health conditions and the impact albeit over weeks rather than hours of losing their jobs or failing to get the job they hoped for. It is all work that will not be understood by most of us and so thank you for responding to the incompetence of the Tories for calling the election and the Labour Party for agreeing to it at this time of year.