Election counts will have to begin within four hours of polls closing under proposals backed by Jack Straw.The justice secretary has thrown his weight behind a cross-party campaign to save the traditional election night. He told MPs he was concerned about the "growing trend by returning officers" to begin counts the following day "for their own convenience". He said he was confident MPs would back an amendment to the Constitutional Reform Bill when they vote on it later. MPs will be given a free vote on the issue. It is far from certain that the bill will become law before a general election but Mr Straw said he wanted to "send a message" to returning officers.
Election counts will have to begin within four hours of polls closing under proposals backed by Jack Straw.
The justice secretary has thrown his weight behind a cross-party campaign to save the traditional election night.
He told MPs he was concerned about the "growing trend by returning officers" to begin counts the following day "for their own convenience".
He said he was confident MPs would back an amendment to the Constitutional Reform Bill when they vote on it later.
MPs will be given a free vote on the issue.
It is far from certain that the bill will become law before a general election but Mr Straw said he wanted to "send a message" to returning officers.
Of course this was before electronic voting and "Programs for victory"! As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
