A day of exercising one's political powers
Which is to say I VOTED. And it was pretty exciting, too. Almost as good as chocolate.
And, before I stop thinking about who I want to govern Britain for another five years, is it raining in your constituency? In this paper Eminent Academics from Tel Aviv University reckon that "each inch of rain on election day decreases turnout by 3.4%". Granted they're talking about Americans, but I imagine that applies over here too, more or less.
So: if it does rain, who do you think it would benefit? Conventional wisdom says Conservative/Republicans, as "upscale people are the most likely to vote, and...upscale people tend to be more Republican". And, presumably, can drive to the polling station.
However, I have no idea what kind of people would decide not to vote because of the rain. I can imagine that if one was living in a safe seat constituency, like Pontypridd (yeah, I just like the name), you might think "Sod it, it's going to Labour anyway", and stay in and watch the football. But what if you live in a marginal constituency (and it looks like it might rain, actually)? Maybe the Lib Dems will stay home then? Or possibly all those people who can't see the Lib Dems getting in, and can't bring themselves to vote for either of the other two but think they should? Or sugar people, who melt in the rain... o.O It doesn't make a great deal of sense to me. But, as eddie777 pointed out, think of the lizards.
And, having lost my voting virginity this morning, I can recommend it. It was even fun. And you don't even need to hunt about for some scented candles, and a condom. However, if you are in one of the rainier constituencies, a bath after might still be nice, or some post-electoral chocolate.
Edit: It is now pissing it down. So much for the Election Day Barbeque
And, before I stop thinking about who I want to govern Britain for another five years, is it raining in your constituency? In this paper Eminent Academics from Tel Aviv University reckon that "each inch of rain on election day decreases turnout by 3.4%". Granted they're talking about Americans, but I imagine that applies over here too, more or less.
So: if it does rain, who do you think it would benefit? Conventional wisdom says Conservative/Republicans, as "upscale people are the most likely to vote, and...upscale people tend to be more Republican". And, presumably, can drive to the polling station.
However, I have no idea what kind of people would decide not to vote because of the rain. I can imagine that if one was living in a safe seat constituency, like Pontypridd (yeah, I just like the name), you might think "Sod it, it's going to Labour anyway", and stay in and watch the football. But what if you live in a marginal constituency (and it looks like it might rain, actually)? Maybe the Lib Dems will stay home then? Or possibly all those people who can't see the Lib Dems getting in, and can't bring themselves to vote for either of the other two but think they should? Or sugar people, who melt in the rain... o.O It doesn't make a great deal of sense to me. But, as eddie777 pointed out, think of the lizards.
And, having lost my voting virginity this morning, I can recommend it. It was even fun. And you don't even need to hunt about for some scented candles, and a condom. However, if you are in one of the rainier constituencies, a bath after might still be nice, or some post-electoral chocolate.
Edit: It is now pissing it down. So much for the Election Day Barbeque