We are past midnight, so all campaigning is over. The polling stations open at 7:00 (and close at 22:00). So it’s time for the voting thread.
It’s trickier this year because of voter ID requirements but gov.uk have all the details. However, note this: “You can still use your ID even if it has expired.” So an out-of-date passport, for example, will work as long as the name is the same and the photo still looks like you. Don’t forget that there are other polling stations rules.
There have been problems in some areas with people getting their postal vote on time but if you haven’t got yours and you aren’t on your holidays, it’s not too late. Details on what to do.
Tactical voting can make a difference in some places and there are a number of sites to help with this. They’ll largely be similar but check a couple before committing:
- Get Voting - which also has ID info and a boundary checker
- tactical.vote
- StopTheTories.vote
- Win As One has broader aims to change the voting system
If you want your vote to count you can try SwapMyVote.uk.
Other things you can do:
- Offer lifts to people so they can get out and vote - contact your party of choice
If you have any other resources then throw them in below. If you have any questions then ask away and, hopefully, someone can rummage the answer up for you. edit: If I’ve cocked up, then let me know.
NB: we aren’t endorsing any links, so you will have to use your best judgement on who you trust with your details.
13 seats for Reform feels like it would be more than a foot in the door for Faragism if the exit poll is accurate for them. I hope Labour will be able to provide effective counters to this.
Of course it’s also possible that with suddenly gaining MPs in double digits, the inexperienced party might keep tripping over itself before it can trip anyone else.
Luckily Reform only got 5. That’s 5 too many, but better than 13. They’re the 7th largest party in the new Parliament (if you count Independents as a party, which is a stretch-- I regard them as the null party).
Chances of at least 2 of them being disqualified/resigning for saying something awful is like 100%. There will be by-elections in no time.