WHEN the Americans elect a new President, he does not go banging on the doors of the White House while the old one is still packing his bags.  The new one is elected in November but the old one remains President until January.

I am not suggesting we should have a time gap of that magnitude but why should we have to conduct General Elections in such a hurry?  Why can't we vote on Thursday, count the votes, and announce the results on Friday? Then no one would need to be up all night.

It would be necessary either to hold council elections on a different date, or employ different staff to deal with them.

As things are, the vote counters are at work during the day on Thursday, up all night counting Parliamentary votes and either back at work or counting council votes on Friday.

No wonder they were so exhausted and bleary-eyed. Never mind, the Returning Officer need not worry: I shall not be demanding a re-count.

– Anthony Reeve, Littledean