Polling Day In The Good Old Days

[anotheoldgit]

Today I noticed many of the elderly staggering to the polling station, on their zimmer frames, walking sticks, crutches, mobility scooters etc. just to place their vote.

I remember a time when your local candidates would prowl the streets in their cars asking if anyone wanted a lift to the polling station.

And what about those vans and cars with a loudspeaker on their roofs, yelling out who to vote for?

Yes polling day was quite an event back in those days.

[sunny-dave]

My gran was always offered a lift to the polls by her friend who was the local Labour candidate - she always refused and asked the Tories instead

"A better class of car - and while they're driving me they can't be taking a Tory voter to the polls"

[sandyRoe]

Sinn Fein in West Belfast had a remarkable well organised election machine. They'd send people to your door and ask if you'd voted. If you said you hadn't they'd insist you take a lift to the polling station.
Lots of people didn't like to refuse.

[AliceTickband]

the disappearance of the things you mentioned is a symptom of how today's politicians take voters for granted at election time and some for the times between elections.

[Cloverjo]

I think they go round in the evening offering lifts to people who haven't voted yet. Haven't see a vehicle with a loudspeaker for years, though.

[craft1948]

This must be the first election I've not had canvassers or candidates knocking on my door for a lively discussion.
I thought I was in with a chance on Tuesday but they turned out to be Jehovah's Witnesses...

[anotheoldgit]

What would be better than to utilise those luxurious coaches in which they have been touring the country, and use them to ferry voters to and from the polling stations?

[sunny-dave]

I can't see you in a pink bus, AoG ...

[douglas9401]

The only loudspeaker equipped vehicle around here is for SNP and the sound is strangely muted. I suppose Nicola only wants her voice echoing through the wee bit hill and glen.
I wouldn't like to take an open pay packet home to her. :-)

[trt]

## Yes polling day was quite an event back in those days. ##

Yes it was aog, but I wouldn't say it was the good old days.

[anotheoldgit]

sunny-dave

/// I can't see you in a pink bus, AoG . ///

I've always been taught never to take lifts from strangers.

Must admit though, I did during my RAF days but then the country was a different place in those far off days.

[Baldric]

/// I've not had canvassers or candidates knocking on my door for a lively discussion///

Just how lively can you make two words?

[anotheoldgit]

trt

/// Yes it was aog, but I wouldn't say it was the good old days. ///

Then tell me trt, why weren't those days good for you?

Because they were for me.

[Tilly2]

Now that we have postal voting as an option, that has taken care of people who are unable to make it to the polling station.

[sunny-dave]

Noooo - Balders - you're doing it wrong.

When any 'candidate not of my choice' rings the bell, they are engaged in a meaningful and polite discussion for as long as possible - they are wasting their time, but whilst they are bandying words with me they are not converting anyone else ... my gran taught me well.

[anotheoldgit]

Baldric

/// Just how lively can you make two words? ///

You most certainly can if it is you addressing a politician who represents the Party that you do not support..

One word begins with 'P'and the other with 'O' :0)

[jourdain2]

When I voted in my local elections in France, the 'wrong' candidates came out top in the first round. For the second round you could scarcely get near the booths for the wheelchairs and zimmer-frames - the party in control had mobilised every car-owner to drag all the 90 yr. olds in.
One old lady was very nearly carried by a couple of blokes!

I've nothing against that per se--- but it was very telling. (The powers that be won the second round!)