Wonders never cease!

Well, I’ll go to the foot of our Bill’s brother’s trousers! Not only did Matt (1) bother to go and vote for the first time in his life he was able to, but (2) he made a sensible comment upon the laughable security of an electoral system which permits someone to go to the polling station and vote without having a polling card or being required to show any form of identification (when I told him that, he said “Whaaaaaat? That’s ridiculous!” That’s pretty sensible - and mightily restrained - for him!) As long as you know another voter’s name and address, you’re home and dry. And getting a postal vote? Nothing simpler; do what several media people have done (although they might get their just desserts or at least a hefty rap on their naughty knuckles), complete an application form, send it to the electoral registration officer with instructions to send the ballot paper anywhere in the world (yes, true fact) and Robert’s your relative. Photographic ID has been a necessity to vote in elections in Northern Ireland since 2003, and individual voter registration came in at the same time. The latter makes it easier for signatures to be checked. Why can’t those measures be brought in on the mainland? I understand why security is particularly important in the Province but, for years, we have been told by government that there is no evidence of widespread electoral fraud. No-one’s been found out, they mean! Until now; it has been established to have taken place in Birmingham and Blackburn, and investigations continue in Bradford, Burnley, Leicester and High Wycombe. Goodness knows where else, after the dust has settled tonight and tomorrow morning. Whoever is in power after the results for the General Election are declared, GET………IT………SORTED!