The last 19 seats!

[acw]

According to the bbc website, 627 of 646 have been declared.  I understand that in the 647th constituency, sadly one of the candidates died and there will be a by-election soon.  Does anyone know what is going on in the last 19 seats?  Why is there a delay?

 

Thanks!

[ianess]

I believe they're nearly all from Northern Ireland and their counting didn't start til lunchtime today.  Hope that solves the problem.

[acw]

A-ha! (As some DJ from Norwich used to say!) Thanks - 3* rating coming up! :-)

[kempie]

Expect legal challenges in close seats due to the debacle with postal voting.

[flaming]

Side issue comment: Kempie has used the right word - i.e.'debacle'.  I think the widespread practice of postal voting is disgraceful.  It cannot be seen to be fair.  As time goes on, the percentage of frauds, disenfranchisements and so on will matter.

[THECORBYLOON]

There's one result in England that won't be known til Saturday. The Returning Officer in Harlow stopped a second re-count because the staff were too tired. I know because I have a bet on the Lib Dems having 62 seats or fewer and that is what they have at the moment, if they win Harlow, I lose the bet. 

[bernardo]

There are only 646 constituencies.  Your question should have referred to "627 of 645" and "the 646th".

Incidentally, the delayed election in Staffordshire South constituency will not be a "by-election".  It is still authorised by the same writ, and will still be part of the general election; it will not count as a by-election.  The other candidates remain validly nominated, and may be joined by other candidates when the nominations are re-opened.

Incidentally incidentally, the delaying of a general election in one constituency (due to the death of a candidate) previously happened in 1951, 1950, 1945, 1929, 1923 and 1918.

[acw]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/default.stm

 

Like I said, "according to the BBC website"... I was quoting from the link now copied out for your benefit above.  I do now understand that Staffs South was included in the 646, so thanks for pointing that out bernardo. 

The quote below is from this page.  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4472293.stm#two

"Due to the death of Jo Harrison, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Staffordshire South, no election will take place there on 5 May.

This means that the election result will be made up of a total of 645 seats, not 646.

A by-election will be called in Staffordshire South after the general election has taken place. "

 

Bernardo you may well be correct, but where are you getting your facts from please?  Thanks. 

[bernardo]

I am definitely correct, and I have already emailed the BBC three times over the last week to alert them to the fact that the election in South Staffordshire will be the general election and not a by-election.  Unfortunately they do not seem to be very good at correcting their mistakes.

I am getting my facts from an entire lifetime of having been an elections junkie and anorak :-), and having read billions of reference books about the subject.

[bernardo]

e.g. "British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949" by F.W.S. Craig (page xvi) says "Postponed polls at General Elections due to the death of a candidate are indicated in footnotes.  It should be noted that postponed polls are not considered by-elections but are part of the General Election, no new writ being issued".

[jenstar]

I read that the sitting MP, Patrick Cormack, will lose his chance of becoming Father of the House because this constitutes a break in his continuous service. But surely that can't be right if he's still up for election under the same writ? Bernardo?

[acw]

Cheers Bernardo.  I honestly did believe you - I'm a lawyer you see - I need to see evidence!!! :-p :-)

[bernardo]

I read that the sitting MP, Patrick Cormack, will lose his chance of becoming Father of the House because this constitutes a break in his continuous service. But surely that can't be right if he's still up for election under the same writ? Bernardo?

It wouldn't be a "break in his continuous service".  I'm not sure who came up with that idea.

[tubeway]

The Harlow result was announced on Saturday - Labour by 97 votes - it was over 5000 last time