# UK General Election May 2015 (Population Share Version) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 2, 2015, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612 "2015-04-02T10:29:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/421 "2015-05-07T14:19:48Z")
fingers crossed that due to first past the post, their polling percentage doesn’t translate to a single seat ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/422 "2015-05-07T14:33:17Z")
Just been to a surprisingly empty polling station with not many names marked off on the sheets… Hopefully more people will be voting in the evening. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/423 "2015-05-07T14:37:55Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Just been to a surprisingly empty polling station with not many names marked off on the sheets… Hopefully more people will be voting in the evening. Just voted and there was no parking anywhere near the polling place (not polling station in Scotland). Never known an election so busy at 2.30pm- seemed busier than the referendum. We are a marginal. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/424 "2015-05-07T14:53:23Z")
There was a queue of people out of the door at 7.30am this morning at our polling station in the South East. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/425 "2015-05-07T14:56:50Z")
> [@Pjen](#): > > You must be too young to know what a Portillo moment is. ‘Sere you up for zportillo’ and ‘Portillo moment’ refer to the election night in 1997 when Portillo unexpectedly was booted out of his Enfield constituency by an unexpectedly high local swing to Labour. Ah, I grok. I thought it was just about Portillo saying something stupid on television, as he seems to be on it quite a lot. I suppose this is what comes of having all that free time. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/426 "2015-05-07T14:59:18Z")
> [@Pjen](#): > > Just voted and there was no parking anywhere near the polling place (not polling station in Scotland). Never known an election so busy at 2.30pm- seemed busier than the referendum. We are a marginal. Marginal here as well, Tory by a couple of hundred votes last time. Hopefully there’ll be a decent turnout in the end, I’m expecting a high turnout overall. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/427 "2015-05-07T15:06:52Z")
> [@Pjen](#): > > (not polling station in Scotland) Holy mother of shit, you really will take ANY opportunity to point how MASSIVELY DIFFERENT Scotland is, won’t you? You must be a riot at parties. I COME FROM WARWICKSHIRE WHERE THEY CALL BREAD ROLLS “BATCHES”. WE DEMAND INDEPENDENCE NOW FROM OUR WESTMINSTER OVERLORDS/NEOCOLONIAL MENTALIST FUCKWIT DRILLSERGEANT NAZI DICTATORS. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/428 "2015-05-07T15:10:41Z")
I’m always amused by the gaggle of party tellers who sit outside the polling station trying to prize voter registration numbers out of people. They always seem to be getting on like a house on fire, despite being one Tory, one Labour, one Green or whatever (I guess it varies according to who’s in the running in that constituency). You’d think they’d be sitting there in hostile silence, but not a bit of it. There’s got to be a sitcom idea in there somewhere? Victoria Wood could do it. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/429 "2015-05-07T15:11:43Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Holy mother of shit, you really will take ANY opportunity to point how MASSIVELY DIFFERENT Scotland is, won’t you? You must be a riot at parties. > > I COME FROM WARWICKSHIRE WHERE THEY CALL BREAD ROLLS “BATCHES”. WE DEMAND INDEPENDENCE NOW FROM OUR WESTMINSTER OVERLORDS/NEOCOLONIAL MENTALIST FUCKWIT DRILLSERGEANT NAZI DICTATORS. 😃 Decaffeinated beverages _are_ available, you know. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/430 "2015-05-07T15:12:29Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > 😃 Decaffeinated beverages _are_ available, you know. This is Sweden. I think they may be against the law. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/431 "2015-05-07T15:14:02Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > 😃 Decaffeinated beverages _are_ available, you know. He’s probably getting an early start on the caffeine for staying up till 7am. And they’re cobs. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/432 "2015-05-07T15:15:01Z")
I have to go in a sec but, in the polling station, I was surprised that, of the six of us voters, only another old geezer and myself understood what to do. You kind of assume everyone except kids know what to do in a polling station. Sounded like three Africans and one from Eastern Europe - questions like ‘a cross - like this?’, ‘just one?’ where?. Pretty interesting. I was a little moved by it, actually. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/433 "2015-05-07T15:15:51Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > And they’re cobs. Heathen. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/434 "2015-05-07T15:18:17Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Sounded like three Africans and one from Eastern Europe - questions like ‘a cross - like this?’, ‘just one?’ where?. Pretty interesting. I was a little moved by it, actually. Just realised I don’t actually know - how long does an immigrant have to be here till they’re allowed to vote? If it’s not immediate, that could be why there weren’t that many people voting where I am, there’s a lot of (very welcome, as far as I’m concerned) Eastern Europeans and East Asians living here. Plus it’s pissing it down, which won’t help. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/435 "2015-05-07T15:19:14Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > I have to go in a sec but, in the polling station, I was surprised that, of the six of us voters, only another old geezer and myself understood what to do. > > You kind of assume everyone except kids know what to do in a polling station. > > Sounded like three Africans and one from Eastern Europe - questions like ‘a cross - like this?’, ‘just one?’ where?. Pretty interesting. I was a little moved by it, actually. Over 'ere they give you little envelopes to put your vote in, but the pieces of paper with the name of you want to vote for are in full display of everyone. So either you let everyone see who you are going to vote for or you take a selection of different ones making it look like you are still undecided up until the last second (and also creating a lot of unnecessary waste). All very bizarre. But right, off to a Lindy Hop lesson followed by a pub quiz. I’ll see you chaps here around midnight for the election fallout and hopefully more bread rolls. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/436 "2015-05-07T15:19:35Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Sounded like three Africans and one from Eastern Europe - questions like ‘a cross - like this?’, ‘just one?’ where?. Pretty interesting. I was a little moved by it, actually. I wonder if any of them voted UKIP? ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/437 "2015-05-07T15:21:39Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Just realised I don’t actually know - how long does an immigrant have to be here till they’re allowed to vote? If it’s not immediate, that could be why there weren’t that many people voting where I am, there’s a lot of (very welcome, as far as I’m concerned) Eastern Europeans and East Asians living here. For the general election they have to become citizens, so those East Europeans may not ever get to vote as they won’t have to become citizens to live there. Well, unless the Tories get in, there’s a referendum and the UK leaves the EU. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/438 "2015-05-07T15:22:22Z")
actually, that was a little too silly. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/439 "2015-05-07T15:23:46Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Just realised I don’t actually know - how long does an immigrant have to be here till they’re allowed to vote? If it’s not immediate, that could be why there weren’t that many people voting where I am, there’s a lot of (very welcome, as far as I’m concerned) Eastern Europeans and East Asians living here. > > Plus it’s pissing it down, which won’t help. Bright sunshine here. Real foreigners cannot vote in general elections Naturalised foreigners can Commonwealth citizens can Irish citizens can. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/440 "2015-05-07T15:24:48Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Just realised I don’t actually know - how long does an immigrant have to be here till they’re allowed to vote? If it’s not immediate, that could be why there weren’t that many people voting where I am, there’s a lot of (very welcome, as far as I’m concerned) Eastern Europeans and East Asians living here. For a GE you need either UK citizenship, Irish citizenship or Commonwealth citizenship with leave to remain. Other elections have less strict eligibilty. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612.md?page=23)