Tory volunteers posing as polling station staff in South West Surrey
I made this!
Happens every year. Now I own a copy for my records. You're welcome to share. Now if you haven't done so already, go out there and VOTE!
edit: I've added a caption for her parting shot, which was a sarcastic comment about how helpful I was
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:26, Share, Reply)
Happens every year. Now I own a copy for my records. You're welcome to share. Now if you haven't done so already, go out there and VOTE!
edit: I've added a caption for her parting shot, which was a sarcastic comment about how helpful I was
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:26, Share, Reply)
The annoying thing is that you're not allowed to do anything
associated with a party inside the polling station, but you're allowed to do it directly outside the door.
*facepalms*
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:27, Share, Reply)
associated with a party inside the polling station, but you're allowed to do it directly outside the door.
*facepalms*
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:27, Share, Reply)
Bloody-hellfire, surely that HAS to be illegal!
If not then damn near the knuckle of being so....
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:29, Share, Reply)
If not then damn near the knuckle of being so....
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:29, Share, Reply)
What an old arsehole!
What did she say at the end? I couldn't make it out.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:29, Share, Reply)
What did she say at the end? I couldn't make it out.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:29, Share, Reply)
This^^ I couldn't quite get it
Did she ask if you were still voting conservative?
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:30, Share, Reply)
Did she ask if you were still voting conservative?
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:30, Share, Reply)
What's her closing responce?
But, yes, this is a bit shit. There was nobody outside my polling station at 10am, but I might have a walk down now..
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:31, Share, Reply)
But, yes, this is a bit shit. There was nobody outside my polling station at 10am, but I might have a walk down now..
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:31, Share, Reply)
i voted but made a random choice....
i should have voted tactically... ah well....
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:32, Share, Reply)
i should have voted tactically... ah well....
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:32, Share, Reply)
no need to look at her notepad
the countryside-green Barbour coat was a sure sign from the get go
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:34, Share, Reply)
the countryside-green Barbour coat was a sure sign from the get go
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:34, Share, Reply)
please forgive me
Is the number they ask for a personal identifier? What do they use it for? Just so they know who the non-voters are?
FYI as I put on twitter earlier,
a) they always do it outside my polling station and
b) both main parties (blues and yellows) in the area (also SW Surrey)have someone out there all the time, taking down numbers
c) they insisted to me that I didn't have to tell them, which was nice.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:36, Share, Reply)
Is the number they ask for a personal identifier? What do they use it for? Just so they know who the non-voters are?
FYI as I put on twitter earlier,
a) they always do it outside my polling station and
b) both main parties (blues and yellows) in the area (also SW Surrey)have someone out there all the time, taking down numbers
c) they insisted to me that I didn't have to tell them, which was nice.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:36, Share, Reply)
They use it to target you
for canvassing at the next election. They know you're a voter now, and so you're going to be popular come next election.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:40, Share, Reply)
for canvassing at the next election. They know you're a voter now, and so you're going to be popular come next election.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:40, Share, Reply)
but
surely they'd be targeting those who have numbers but didn't vote, as they are non-voters and therefore swayable.
stupid innocent me. I'm so disheartened with it all.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:52, Share, Reply)
surely they'd be targeting those who have numbers but didn't vote, as they are non-voters and therefore swayable.
stupid innocent me. I'm so disheartened with it all.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:52, Share, Reply)
non-voters
tend to stay non-voters. Someone who definitely votes, will likely vote again in the future. If you can get said voter to vote for your party, it's a success.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:56, Share, Reply)
tend to stay non-voters. Someone who definitely votes, will likely vote again in the future. If you can get said voter to vote for your party, it's a success.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:56, Share, Reply)
I'm okay with this.
I worried they'd use it for something far more insidious, don't know what, but if all they're going to use it for is to knock on my door and try to sell me idiots then I revel in it.
The last Tory canvasser left in a huff because I managed to pretty much refute or rebuke anything he had to say. I shocked myself more than anything, I've learned a fair amount. I'm actually going to miss sounding like a smartarse.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:07, Share, Reply)
I worried they'd use it for something far more insidious, don't know what, but if all they're going to use it for is to knock on my door and try to sell me idiots then I revel in it.
The last Tory canvasser left in a huff because I managed to pretty much refute or rebuke anything he had to say. I shocked myself more than anything, I've learned a fair amount. I'm actually going to miss sounding like a smartarse.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:07, Share, Reply)
There was one of these fuckers
by my polling station too. He was literally 2 feet outside of the main door of the polling station building. He even brought a chair, and several people who were just ahead of me showed him their polling card. Anyone going by he simply looked up at them and asked "Could I see your polling card please?". The fucker was doing his damnedest to make it look like he was part of the process.
Luckily for me, I never received my polling card, otherwise I would have been caught in the same trap.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:37, Share, Reply)
by my polling station too. He was literally 2 feet outside of the main door of the polling station building. He even brought a chair, and several people who were just ahead of me showed him their polling card. Anyone going by he simply looked up at them and asked "Could I see your polling card please?". The fucker was doing his damnedest to make it look like he was part of the process.
Luckily for me, I never received my polling card, otherwise I would have been caught in the same trap.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:37, Share, Reply)
Did they ask who your voting for?
Or just for your registration number?
I have similar people at my local polling station and I gave them my number. I think it's just so they know who is voting and not necessarily who for. I've got no problem with that.
However they were wearing ribbons for their parties and wern't hiding anything, unlike the woman in the clip, who is being very cagey.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:39, Share, Reply)
Or just for your registration number?
I have similar people at my local polling station and I gave them my number. I think it's just so they know who is voting and not necessarily who for. I've got no problem with that.
However they were wearing ribbons for their parties and wern't hiding anything, unlike the woman in the clip, who is being very cagey.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:39, Share, Reply)
same with my station
I believe they are just assessing voter turnout. Also by giving your number you are marking yourself out as a 'voter' this means you may get targeted by political parties in the future.
It's pretty harmless really
edit: They are called Tellers - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teller_%28elections%29
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:43, Share, Reply)
I believe they are just assessing voter turnout. Also by giving your number you are marking yourself out as a 'voter' this means you may get targeted by political parties in the future.
It's pretty harmless really
edit: They are called Tellers - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teller_%28elections%29
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:43, Share, Reply)
I'm cool with the idea of that,
But she was doing her damndest to let people assume she was an electoral offical. I think they really should be made to show their "colours" if they are going to do it.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:50, Share, Reply)
But she was doing her damndest to let people assume she was an electoral offical. I think they really should be made to show their "colours" if they are going to do it.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:50, Share, Reply)
oh indeed - this isn't correct
the chap at my polling station was wearing a blue rosette. It was the Barbour jacket that gave him away as a Tory though
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:51, Share, Reply)
the chap at my polling station was wearing a blue rosette. It was the Barbour jacket that gave him away as a Tory though
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:51, Share, Reply)
ha ha, that and the freshly beaten fox
draped round his shoulders...
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:53, Share, Reply)
draped round his shoulders...
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:53, Share, Reply)
Or perhaps she wasn't properly briefed,
and couldn't properly convey to people how the information was to be used, thereby making herself looking dodgy and trying to cover up for her lack of understanding?
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:52, Share, Reply)
and couldn't properly convey to people how the information was to be used, thereby making herself looking dodgy and trying to cover up for her lack of understanding?
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:52, Share, Reply)
she didn't really seem to know what she was doing to be honest
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:55, Share, Reply)
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:55, Share, Reply)
Indeed.
In which case, she still shouldn't be doing it.
Seems like she's blindly volunteered to do something because of her commitment to her party, and then thought that it might be dodgy so is being evasive.
Is that reading too much into it?
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:58, Share, Reply)
In which case, she still shouldn't be doing it.
Seems like she's blindly volunteered to do something because of her commitment to her party, and then thought that it might be dodgy so is being evasive.
Is that reading too much into it?
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:58, Share, Reply)
no - it's how I'm interpreting it
she feels important, but unprepared
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:15, Share, Reply)
she feels important, but unprepared
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:15, Share, Reply)
they're supposed to
3.2 If asked, tellers should explain that they are political activists seeking to determine who has actually voted. No impression should be given that any information provided will be used for official purposes or that they are employed by the Returning Officer.
(NinjaEdit: posted the wrong paragraph)
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:09, Share, Reply)
3.2 If asked, tellers should explain that they are political activists seeking to determine who has actually voted. No impression should be given that any information provided will be used for official purposes or that they are employed by the Returning Officer.
(NinjaEdit: posted the wrong paragraph)
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:09, Share, Reply)
What's your source for the paragraph?
Just so I can quote to my mates.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:16, Share, Reply)
Just so I can quote to my mates.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:16, Share, Reply)
Appendix C
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/83337/UKPGE-C-and-A-Final-web.pdf
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:18, Share, Reply)
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/83337/UKPGE-C-and-A-Final-web.pdf
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:18, Share, Reply)
Wish I'd seen this before voting.
I'd assumed it was part of the process.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:44, Share, Reply)
I'd assumed it was part of the process.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:44, Share, Reply)
bollocks
me too.. fucking torys.. there was a bunch of them with rosettes standing outside Bournemouth West polling station at about 6.. then this sweet old posh lady... didn't put 2 and 2 together
ugh i even asked for my polling number so i could give it to her on my way out as i thought it was something important
lucky i'm moving... to er... winchester... cos that's much less tory!
AGH!
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:40, Share, Reply)
me too.. fucking torys.. there was a bunch of them with rosettes standing outside Bournemouth West polling station at about 6.. then this sweet old posh lady... didn't put 2 and 2 together
ugh i even asked for my polling number so i could give it to her on my way out as i thought it was something important
lucky i'm moving... to er... winchester... cos that's much less tory!
AGH!
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:40, Share, Reply)
dang
thats rather naughty of them.
there was no one like that out side my polling station, just a lovely reception girl who i had a chat too while she was giving my voting forms
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:44, Share, Reply)
thats rather naughty of them.
there was no one like that out side my polling station, just a lovely reception girl who i had a chat too while she was giving my voting forms
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:44, Share, Reply)
Surely...
...it's dodgier if they ARE wearing rosettes and only collecting one party's voters? That would certainly bugger up the whole secret ballot thing in a big way.
My understanding is that in many constituencies the parties actually used to swap this data with each other, so they all know what the real turnout looks like. But that may no longer be the case.
I think that particular lady, however, saw herself as some kind of Tory MI5 agent, and got a kick out of it. Sadly political parties can only get volunteers to do tedious things like this by appealing to manic fanatics.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:49, Share, Reply)
...it's dodgier if they ARE wearing rosettes and only collecting one party's voters? That would certainly bugger up the whole secret ballot thing in a big way.
My understanding is that in many constituencies the parties actually used to swap this data with each other, so they all know what the real turnout looks like. But that may no longer be the case.
I think that particular lady, however, saw herself as some kind of Tory MI5 agent, and got a kick out of it. Sadly political parties can only get volunteers to do tedious things like this by appealing to manic fanatics.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:49, Share, Reply)
I hope you went back to your car, got a wheel wrench, came back and beat your voter registration number into her skull.
That would be an appropriate response.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:52, Share, Reply)
That would be an appropriate response.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:52, Share, Reply)
I'm so glad you did this
I had the very same discussion with some old crone sat on a deck chair this very morning.
They are always evasive and it's just plain wrong.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:54, Share, Reply)
I had the very same discussion with some old crone sat on a deck chair this very morning.
They are always evasive and it's just plain wrong.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 15:54, Share, Reply)
And at 9.55 this evening
her and all her mates can will waltz in and claim to be the ones they haven't crossed off their lists.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:13, Share, Reply)
her and all her mates can will waltz in and claim to be the ones they haven't crossed off their lists.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:13, Share, Reply)
There were 2 of these outside my polling station
A Tory woman and a Green party man, although here they were clearly identified with rosettes. I refused to give either my voter number and just walked straight through
I assume they just use them to send out junk mail... the only addressed stuff I got was from the tories who collected my number last time
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:50, Share, Reply)
A Tory woman and a Green party man, although here they were clearly identified with rosettes. I refused to give either my voter number and just walked straight through
I assume they just use them to send out junk mail... the only addressed stuff I got was from the tories who collected my number last time
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 16:50, Share, Reply)
All the parties do this, not just the tories
One of the reasons is so they can cross-reference it with their list of party supporters. There's a good explanation of the mechanics of the election in the latest Pod Delusion.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 17:45, Share, Reply)
One of the reasons is so they can cross-reference it with their list of party supporters. There's a good explanation of the mechanics of the election in the latest Pod Delusion.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 17:45, Share, Reply)
1 Rosetted Tory and 1 Rosetted Liberal
Every other voter clearly thought they were obliged to give their number. I was intending to ask the large Tory man why? but he left me to the little old seated Liberal lady - 'Can I have your number?' 'No'. She seemed hurt :(
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 18:11, Share, Reply)
Every other voter clearly thought they were obliged to give their number. I was intending to ask the large Tory man why? but he left me to the little old seated Liberal lady - 'Can I have your number?' 'No'. She seemed hurt :(
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 18:11, Share, Reply)
Here are three of them from Brighton.
Click for bigger (377 kb)
Click for bigger (363 kb)
There must be something dodgy about them sharing information. The Tory fella asked a woman for her name and address as she didn't have a number, he then shared that information with the Green fella and the other fella (guess the party?). That must be against some data protection law, right?
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 18:34, Share, Reply)
Ah bums
someone wrote mine down in different SW surrey area, thought it was official. :(
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 19:59, Share, Reply)
someone wrote mine down in different SW surrey area, thought it was official. :(
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 19:59, Share, Reply)
Lets never trust a sweet old lady again
unless her house is made out of sweets
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:27, Share, Reply)
unless her house is made out of sweets
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:27, Share, Reply)
same here
he was even wearing a blue badge - but had no party name on it :( i feel defiled!
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:55, Share, Reply)
he was even wearing a blue badge - but had no party name on it :( i feel defiled!
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:55, Share, Reply)
This isn't a Tory plot, honest
All parties do this all the time - it's a normal part of the process. At my polling station it's normally mostly Labour - in fact they've been there all day today, sitting inside the porch of the building suited and booted, thereby looking even more official. Whatever party, they are local activists and allegedly use the info to track who's voted; I've been told it's so they can go and chase up those who haven't. In the past I've seen all the parties sharing the info very readily.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:25, Share, Reply)
All parties do this all the time - it's a normal part of the process. At my polling station it's normally mostly Labour - in fact they've been there all day today, sitting inside the porch of the building suited and booted, thereby looking even more official. Whatever party, they are local activists and allegedly use the info to track who's voted; I've been told it's so they can go and chase up those who haven't. In the past I've seen all the parties sharing the info very readily.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:25, Share, Reply)
yes, but the local Tories always play this 'passing off' game
They know they are not supposed to pass themselves off as polling station staff and/or a formal/required part of the polling process, and yet they persist with this same deception EVERY time.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 21:07, Share, Reply)
They know they are not supposed to pass themselves off as polling station staff and/or a formal/required part of the polling process, and yet they persist with this same deception EVERY time.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 21:07, Share, Reply)
Christ...
There was some guy in a suit stood outside our polling station too, but I knew what he was up to, so just stared at him and he didn't bother me :-)
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:37, Share, Reply)
There was some guy in a suit stood outside our polling station too, but I knew what he was up to, so just stared at him and he didn't bother me :-)
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:37, Share, Reply)
Labour do this at my local polling station
Maybe the Lib Dems should get in on the act too?
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:58, Share, Reply)
Maybe the Lib Dems should get in on the act too?
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 20:58, Share, Reply)
Is this the first time anyone has voted?
this is standard practice.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 21:18, Share, Reply)
this is standard practice.
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 21:18, Share, Reply)
there was a rosetted Tory at my poll, who I politely refused to give my number to.
But he was inside the building, albeit in the foyer, not in the actual hall where the voting was taking place. Not sure whether that's wrong or not. Maybe I should nip back with 6 mins to go and see if he's still there...
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 21:54, Share, Reply)
But he was inside the building, albeit in the foyer, not in the actual hall where the voting was taking place. Not sure whether that's wrong or not. Maybe I should nip back with 6 mins to go and see if he's still there...
( , Thu 6 May 2010, 21:54, Share, Reply)