# UK General Election {2024-07-04} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 22, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932 "2024-05-22T23:15:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/381 "2024-07-04T10:39:37Z")
> I had my boyfriend’s name tattooed directly across my crotch. Obviously that doesn’t exist anymore, 😲 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/382 "2024-07-04T10:58:50Z")
I’m _assuming_ she meant the tattoo, but… 🫣 ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/383 "2024-07-04T11:00:13Z")
Maybe she’s pining for the fjord. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/384 "2024-07-04T11:24:25Z")
Off to vote in the bit, will take the dog and report back with photographic evidence. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/385 "2024-07-04T11:45:15Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The exception that proves the rule. Think about it - how many Prime Ministers in living memory have had anything resembling a personality, for better or for worse? Churchill, Thatcher, Blair (charitably) and Boris. That’s it The more I read about Gordon Brown, the more I like him as a person. His [Ted Talk](https://youtu.be/y7rrJAC84FA?si=AlFv1NGU9kr3okNX) was amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/386 "2024-07-04T11:48:56Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > The more I read about Gordon Brown, the more I like him as a person. His [Ted Talk](https://youtu.be/y7rrJAC84FA?si=AlFv1NGU9kr3okNX) was amazing. Maybe he was a good person, but the fact that I had to look him up means that he wasn’t a very memorable one. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/387 "2024-07-04T12:45:07Z")
Voted. Apart from the election officials I was the only voter there (a lady was leaving as I went in). I could see the list as they were crossing my name off and maybe a quarter to a third of names were already crossed through. I asked if they had to turn anyone away for not having photographic ID but they told me everybody knew they had to bring it and the only person that forgot his ID realised immediately on opening his wallet and went back home to get it, returning later to cast his vote. No dogs sadly. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/388 "2024-07-04T13:21:16Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > …wait how did that get in there? Well we know a party is getting exterminated today but no need to take it that literally… ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/389 "2024-07-04T13:25:18Z")
[![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRobv8bWgAEOu4u?format=jpg&name=large) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRobv8bWgAEOu4u?format=jpg&name=large) [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRnorOWWQAAFafj?format=jpg&name=large) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRnorOWWQAAFafj?format=jpg&name=large) [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRopoaAXQAA4CG-?format=jpg&name=large) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRopoaAXQAA4CG-?format=jpg&name=large) [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRpAeLIW8AAwC2i?format=jpg&name=large) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRpAeLIW8AAwC2i?format=jpg&name=large) [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRo-_6zW0AAP3cR?format=jpg&name=large) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRo-_6zW0AAP3cR?format=jpg&name=large) [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRojRgDXQAAxy6_?format=jpg&name=large) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRojRgDXQAAxy6_?format=jpg&name=large) ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/390 "2024-07-04T13:42:33Z")
There is also the ‘shy conservative’ effect where people claim to be voting Labour but still vote Tory when it comes to it. I don’t think there any doubt which way it’s going, the scale is the only thing that remains to be seen. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/391 "2024-07-04T14:08:32Z")
Thanks for all the good doggies. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/392 "2024-07-04T14:23:24Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > The more I read about Gordon Brown, the more I like him as a person. He’s coming across much better now than he did as PM, and Blair’s “big fist” Chancellor and domestic policy supremo forever protecting his turf and grumbling, and falling foul of the same criticism as Callaghan - not going for an early election that he might have won\*, resulting in the quip “from Stalin to Mr Bean”. \*Hmmn. I wonder which other recent PMs have gambled early and lost 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/393 "2024-07-04T14:46:07Z")
“E-LEC-TOR-ATE!” A patriotic Dalek? ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/394 "2024-07-04T14:58:33Z")
> [@Teuton](#): > > There is also the ‘shy conservative’ effect Is there actually that, or is that just a thing Tories say when they want to brush off poor polling results? ---
**Author:** ![colinfred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colinfred/32/21338_2.png) [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/395 "2024-07-04T15:05:16Z")
I think there’s definitely a real phenomenon. People in mixed company are more likely to be judgemental on a Tory than a Labour voter, so it will naturally result in people feigning to avoid social awkwardness. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/396 "2024-07-04T15:05:37Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > > [@Teuton](#): > > > > There is also the ‘shy conservative’ effect > > Is there actually that, or is that just a thing Tories say when they want to brush off poor polling results? It’s not just a Tory thing, I’ve seen it in other countries’ campaigns, as an explanation for polls that sound too good/bad to be true or that end up with an over/underperforming election. The notion that in polling, a significant number of people will try to be conflict-averse and NOT express their support for an “unpopular” position. Though the most common assumption is that these are the people who insist in answering “undecided/don’t know” when it should be rather clear everyone has their minds made up, as opposed to declaring the contrary of their intentions. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/397 "2024-07-04T15:08:42Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > \*Hmmn. I wonder which other recent PMs have gambled early and lost 😉 It’s happening in France right now. An absolutely insane decision by Macron which could let the far right in. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/398 "2024-07-04T15:09:01Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > a significant number of people will try to be conflict-averse and NOT express their support for an “unpopular” position Seems to me these people are just as likely to say they’re supporting the Conservatives because they don’t want to admit they’re actually going for the much purer racism of Reform. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/399 "2024-07-04T15:11:11Z")
One question, if I may: Why are UK general elections not on a Sunday, as is usual with most other European countries (see [Election day - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Election_day#/media/File:Election_day.svg) )? As European Parliament elections, when the UK participated (for the last time in 2019), were on a Sunday, the UK public was able to compare the (in)convenience of Thursday and Sunday elections. Was there a debate on the proa and cons of those alternatives for UK elections? ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/400 "2024-07-04T15:18:16Z")
I looked this up and the best explanation I have found is: Voting on a Thursday means the ballots can be counted overnight, and most results known by Friday morning giving any new Prime Minister the weekend to arrange their new Cabinet, move into Downing Street and brief civil servants by Monday morning. Friday was also discounted because it was payday and assumed that people would be more likely to be down the pub than voting. And Sundays were ruled out because nobody wanted church sermons to influence the voting. Thursdays were also traditionally market days in many towns and villages, which meant more people were travelling into town where the polling places would be. But the actual reasons are unknown except _it is tradition_ - albeit a recent one. I think if the PM had announced a Wednesday it would have been fine, but then people would have been asking “why did he choose Wednesday rather than Thursday?”, so why not just stick with Thursday? Announcing a weekend would have drawn complaints and accusations of trying to influence the vote I suspect. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932.md?page=21)