New Statesman General Election Weblog

While we wait for the final outcome of the election, here are some comments that portray how people are feeling in Victoria station:

“I voted Labour. We’ve got to trust our politicians and recognize what they do. I think the Iraq war will have positive outcome for both countries in the long run,” Hardial Singh said.

“I […]

Two observations from my journey home from a strictly apolitical night in the pub:

1) The first edition of The Sun is splashing with a picture of Tony, Cherie, and their two eldest sons after voting, under the caption, “Dad cert”.
Tempting fate, perhaps?

2) The Tory campaign seems to have had more effect on the language of […]

The office is filling up now. Editorial - editors, sub-editors, art department and journalists - are all now in, and there’s a small crowd around the TV. I’ve just watched Sunderland North called; apparently, according to the BBC commentator, ‘Sunderland are really enjoying their moment in the spotlight right now’. Talk about filling dead air; […]

We tried this simple test in the pub and many of us struggled, see how you do.

Without using Google, or any other reference material, name a Labour 2005 election policy.

A sneak preview of a photo essay by Nick Danziger from tomorrow’s New Statesman, on the campaign trail with Oona King, George Galloway and Oliver Letwin.
Take a look here.

I’ve just been speaking to Simon Wright who is fighting for Labour against IDS in Chingford. The counting has yet to start but Simon says that the mood is relaxed. Standing for the first time as a candidate for parliament he feels he’s had the best possible candidate to run against. The result is expected […]

Radio 4 has just annoucned a re-count in Hove, as predicted would happen by the Brighton Blogger.
We shall keep you informed. . .

The bus stop has been moved, the traffic light rigging has worked and the counting and tallying is over in Sunderland South. Through the magic (or so it seems from the BBC commentry) of a C.O.M.P.U.T.E.R, a piece of paper has been printed out and . . .
Labour
has won the first seat of the night.

If, as seems to be a racing certainty, Tony Blair is safely back at No 10 tomorrow and announces his new Cabinet it seems almost as certain that a refurbished David Blunkett will be back in office. We have been warned by the man himself what he thinks about those amongst us whom he […]

A run down of what’s ahead for Brighton’s three constituencies

A Labour party member has just reported in that things are looking incredibly tight from Oona King over in Bethnal Green and Bow. She is facing tought opposition from both George Galloway and a majority of Muslim voters who are very angry both with her and Labour. Voter turn out has been good so far […]

You may wonder what it’s like to work in a political magazine on election night; having never done “one of these” before, I certainly do. We’ll be updating the blog during the evening with a little insight as to how things are going in the office. To kick off, this is the online department […]

Election morning in America, and people are excited. Calendars have long been marked. Parties have been organised. Festivals are underway. There is even talk of roasting whole animals, in the street. For sure, Cinco de Mayo - the Mexican festival of independence - is a big deal on this side of the pond.

The […]

Who needs television coverage of the general election when you have the internet?

Welcome to the New Statesman General Election Weblog. Over the next 24 hours we’ll be posting updates and comments from a variety of contributors.