Election Night
The polling stations have just closed and the counting of votes in our National Election will now begin. Retirement has meant that not only have I had more time to follow the campaigns of the various parties but have also been able to examine their manifestos and learn a little about current economic and political theory. With nobody able to predict a likely winner, it has also been one of the most intriguing election battles in my lifetime where and for once, we have heard from politicians who believe in society rather than simply markets, commodities and money.
It is my plan to stay up tonight because and for the first time since 1979 I have no office to go to in the morning. Even in 1979 and with university finals looming, I recall going to bed not long after midnight, the result by that time being obvious and a gloom having descended, as a result, on my student house.
Mister E and I have discussed whether or not to put champagne on ice in case the outcome should defy predictions of a hung Parliament and the need for wrangling between potential coalition partners. We are, you might say, enthusiastically optimistic or perhaps just looking for an excuse for a celebration.
It is going to be a long night, but may the best party win so that I at least get to sip bubbly at some point in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
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