Afternoon, all! Just back from the front line. The weather is foul and I'm only just beginning to thaw out.
I enjoyed my unexpected stint as a teller but have to be very careful about what I can say. I will therefore relate only my personal experience and let you draw your own conclusions.
The LibDem teller, a very pleasant woman, and I were the only ones present outside the polling station. We agreed to be non-partisan, amicable and share duties. Actually, we had a good old natter and will meet up for a coffee in a couple of weeks as we got on so well.
We definitely shared a similar sense of humour. Most people were happy to show us their polling cards (I asked nicely but made it clear that they didn't have to do so). Some were not, and I said that was fine, no worries. A few voters not only refused but grunted grumpily at us so I waited until they were out of earshot and whispered to LibDem Woman, "Labour. You can always tell. They've got nothing to be cheerful about" and she howled with laughter.
Just two voters, both men, thought it necessary to advertise their political allegiance. No one else did. Both wore red rosettes. One called me a Tory bitch. The other seemed to regard me as a mother figure which was really quite confusing because he was older than me.
Well, it sounded like "mother figure" anyway but I could have misheard.
Those were the only unpleasant incidents.
On the other hand, I was the only one to be offered handshakes or a smile and a thumbs-up - and there were plenty of those. It is, of course, no indication of how people were voting, of course, and should not be read as such.
A voter also asked me to take a photo of her and her dog in front of the Polling Station sign (I cheerfully obliged). I was asked to mind a number of dogs while their owners went in to vote (dutifully tickled said dogs between ears). One nervous young man said it was the first time he'd ever voted and didn't know the routine so I explained cheerfully and in a completely neutral way, and pointed him towards the polling booths inside. I also shook his hand and congratulated him on doing his civic duty. He looked quite pleased. Doubt he voted Tory, but he might do one day and remember that first time.
Business was brisk, despite the rain lashing down.
Finished up being met by the Conservative constituency chairman and my nice local county councillor, a man who is definitely GC, and I'm meeting up with both separately to see how else I can get involved. The chairman invited me to a constituency dinner with Geoffrey Cox, he of the booming voice and Shakespearean oratory, in the New Year. Might be worth turning out for.
I'm on pins now.
Hope you have all managed to keep the nerves at bay!