Must See The Pen/Pencil . EU Video. and The Police.

[Johnny Lee]

I do not know how to share links etc. But I have just watched the WPC who was called out to an elderly lady offering to loan people her pen to vote.

Police State springs to mind.

[Keithcaley]

I know how to share links!

Police called out to investigate and determine the facts of an 'unusual' - nay, 'unprecedented' situation at a Polling station.

No illegal activity detected (as far as I could see - or as far as the WPC could see, for that matter).

'Police doing their job' springs to mind

Lee!

Calm down!

You WON

[Johnny Lee]

I am calm Kieth, I have not won , I am too far down the line to be affected by it really, But hopefully our younger generation may still have a country.

I just thought once again what waste of Police time and resources.

[jofra]

But surely we can afford it now that we will not be paying all those billions to Europe......?

[Johnny Lee]

I did not realise how many Billions, until speaking to a well traveled friend today. The amount of countries paying in, V. the amount of countries taking out does not balance, in my eyes.

[Keithcaley]

I am calm Kieth, I have not won , I am too far down the line to be affected by it really, But hopefully our younger generation may still have a country.

I just thought once again what waste of Police time and resources.

Perhaps it was a waste, but the Police are obliged to respond to reports - even if it's only a 'suspected irregularity' - and even if they think that it may be trivial or malicious...

Given that free elections and the ballot box are the cornerstone of our democracy, I would have not been happy to see them ignore this.

I have to say that the WPC didn't look unduly excited by it all!

...and the ballot box does appear to have done its job this time - pencils or no pencils...

[Ragged Robin]

Well they do say that you know you are getting old when the Police look young - mmm - that WPC looked and sounded to me as if she was still in the fourth form!

However , having spent several years in my previous existence, as a Poll Clerk in various UK elections I am aware that in the interests of democracy a lot of time and patience has to be expended in explaining, advising and helping the uneducated and disadvantaged as well as the disabled. The process throws up many dilemmas (for instance someone has to enter a vote for a blind person), and electoral officers being mainly volunteers we were very glad of the reassurance and assistance of the Police standing by. They also serve who only stand and wait and it is not a waste of time if they prevent a nasty incident before it happens.

However, If it is true that no pencils were provided, did not someone drop a clanger in the organisation?

[turtle]

Well I'm comfortable in the knowledge that I took my own pen to the booth...