Behind the scenes with Labour on the final day of election campaigning
- Text by Michael Segalov
- Photography by Theo McInnes
There are quite a few myths about what happens on a general election polling day, that day once every five years (well, supposedly) when us voters decide who’ll govern us for the years ahead.
The most common mistake is that campaigning comes to an end the night before voting opens. Yes, party leaders make their final impassioned pitches and bring national activity to an end, and the broadcasters due to regulations have little to say.
But up and down the country party activists are going into overdrive, the final push is arguably the most important 24 hours in the long and arduous battle being fought parliamentary candidates up and down the UK.
All those doors knocked, intelligence gathered, working out the issues that matter and the confirmation of names. For weeks, often longer, local campaigners have been working tirelessly to draw up as much information as they can. And on election day, it’s all about getting voters to their polling booth. Its’ all well and good to win the arguments, deliver leaflets and change hearts and minds, but unless voters whack their X in a box then it’s pretty much a waste of time.
So while voting might just take a moment of your time, a little longer if there’s a queue, tens of thousands of volunteers have spent today working hard, trying to get you to vote. And nowhere has this been truer than in the tightest of marginals. It’s in these seats that elections are won or lost, where majorities are as close as they come.
We tagged along with Guardian columnist Owen Jones as he hit up some of London’ s hardest to call seats: Brentford and Isleworth, Ealing Central and Acton, Westminster North, Battersea and Tooting, as campaigners went in hard in the final hours. From seasoned campaigners to those campaigning for the very first time, unprecedented numbers took time today with the hoping of getting the vote out for Labour. Now we just have to wait and see…
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Tender, carefree portraits of young Ukrainians before the war
Diary of a Stolen Youth — On the day that a temporary ceasefire is announced, a new series from photographer Nastya Platinova looks back at Kyiv’s bubbling youth culture before Russia’s February 2022 full-scale invasion. It presents a visual window for young people into a possible future, as well as the past.
Written by: Hannah Bentley
Analogue Appreciation: 47SOUL
Dualism — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s Palestinian shamstep pioneers 47SOUL.
Written by: 47SOUL
Meet the hair-raised radicals of Berlin’s noise punk scene
Powertool — In his new zine, George Nebieridze captures moments of loud rage and quiet intimacy of the German capital’s bands, while exploring the intersections between music, community and anti-establishment politics.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Amid tensions in Eastern Europe, young Latvians are reviving their country’s folk rhythms
Spaces Between the Beats — The Baltic nation’s ancient melodies have long been a symbol of resistance, but as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on, new generations of singers and dancers are taking them to the mainstream.
Written by: Jack Styler
Uwade: “I was determined to transcend popular opinion”
What Made Me — In this series, we ask artists and rebels about the about the forces and experiences that shaped who they are. Today, it’s Nigerian-born, South Carolina-raised indie-soul singer Uwade.
Written by: Uwade
Inside the obscured, closeted habitats of Britain’s exotic pets
“I have a few animals...” — For his new series, photographer Jonty Clark went behind closed doors to meet rare animal owners, finding ethical grey areas and close bonds.
Written by: Hannah Bentley
