General Election Thread

I couldn't see a thread on this, and given that it's only 8 or so weeks until the election being called (probably...) I thought it was probably worth discussing. After all, the BBC News Channel re-launch was speculated on for about two years before it actually happened. Yes?

So, some points worth noting:

1. Most of the votes look likely to be counted on the night-of, so although some critical results will be held over thanks to lazy councils, enough should come through to indicate a majority... again, assuming there is a majority.

2. Sky looks set to make this the first election in glorious HD. Not sure that our politicians are going to benefit from that, given that most of them are over 50.

3. On election night itself, the internet through Twitter is going to be the first with the results, probably ahead of PA. Will be interesting to see how that plays out on the night. Logistical nightmare to keep track, methinks. Sky have always taken the line of only declaring when PA officially declares, same for the BBC I think. ITV report some of the safest seats pre-declaration. Dangerous territory next time.

4. The 'debates' are still not fixed up. Was told at work the other day that ITV are sniffing around Royal Festival Hall as a possible venue, but that seems far too big. It's next to the London Studios and over the river from Parliament, so there's the potential for some nice shots, but it's a) probably booked up and b) the accusations of London-centrism can be seen a mile off.

5. Erm, that's it. On a side note I work in the industry (politics, not TV) and come here for light relief. So let's keep it to telly and not turn this into a political slanging match.

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Predictions:

- During the election, Sky (on HD and SD) will switch to their info panel they're trailing. In 2001, News 24 actually did a not dissimilar thing... though I recall it being hated at the time.

- Wouldn't be surprised if Channel 4 did an election night. First time in a long time but it's the first time in a long time we've had a tight election.

- Dimbleby for BBC, Alistair Stewart and Tom Bradby and maybe Jonathan Dimbleby for ITV (not sure about that, he is insufferable), Adam Boulton for Sky with hopefully limited Kay Burley.

Julie Etchingham and Mary Nightingale are also to feature as part of ITN's coverage. I'd put my bets on Julie anchoring the virtual parliament, swingometer stuff.

I'd hate to see ITN stay in the main news studio for this. There was never a better year when they built their election studio in the atrium.

Would also imagine Thompson, Murnaghan and Stanford (sp.) also being in the fray for Sky News. And Etchingham for ITN.

In fact, Cat, I recall an election of several years ago (can't recall how far back) and all outlets had their correspondents dotted around the usual hot spots (Westminster, Number Ten, Leader's Constituencies, Trafalgar Square, wherever). I specifically recall that amongst the Lawleys, Dimbleby's, Paxman and Warks on the BBC, they had opted for none other than Esther Rantzen to be their correspondent outside Number Ten!! It was in the Thatcher era. All the correspondents threw the usual questions when Thatcher appeared ("Are you in for a defeat?" "Will this be your last exit from Downing Street as Prime Minister?", etc, etc...)

Rantzen seized the moment and shouted: "Your dress is lovely Prime Minister".

Momentary silence from the assembled frenzy...................That's Life, I guess!

Can't wait for this upcoming election. Politically, it's gonna be a real nailbiter and am sure the main outlets will do it well. One also wonders if it will be Dimbleby's last and that he may retire soon?

Haha fantastic. Well you'll CERTAINLY see her again this election night, cos she's going to be a bloody candidate in Luton South!

I hope Julie Etchingham isn't just left to do 3D graphics. Her strength to me was/is interviewing. A shame reduce her to a glorified weather presenter.

As far as I'm aware, ITN are only doing one election programme and that's for ITV. I don't think they'd be able to staff two simultaneous election programmes without bringing in freelancers at any rate.

I agree that the atrium has looked brilliant in years gone by, but I think you might be disappointed this year

The BBC will also be doing it's programme in HD.

Presumably the BBC will also have its usual spin offs of Election Call, and all that jazz. IIRC, The Daily Politics had some, if not all of their editions as 1 hour long too...I hope they actually utilise Andrew Neil on the night this time...as the face of BBC political coverage, he doesn't get much airing outside his usual slot, wonder if he may play a part in News Channel coverage...Straight Talk in its previous format ran for half an hour every night during the last campaign

I wonder if Channel 4 will have a politics season...I seem to remember they did in '05, or maybe it was '01...can't quite remember.

And finally, the return of The Boulton Factor...please say it will!

What will everyone's allegiance be this year? I am, of course, referring to viewing and not voting. Have never been a fan of the BBC's election shows, they always seem a bit slow and stuffy compared to everyone else. Sky, on the other hand, seem a bit *too* flashy. ITV tend to pitch it just about right for me, but seeing as their news output is somewhat scaled back these days, I might stay with Sky for most of it.

Any news of any 'alternative' election shows, similar to The Election Night Armistice (back in 1997 I think?)

is this where the plug the other place goes?



I wonder if Sky promised to keep Burley off the screen the BBC would be kind enough to keep the god awful Jeremy Vine off the telly too.

When did it get an extra L, Hyma?

On election night for me it'll be the BBC on mute and Sky on another screen. I don't bother with ITV on election night because their policy on early declarations is idiotic and often wrong.

Find the analysis on Sky with Boulton is a bit more 'grown up' than the BBC, which obviously has to go for mass market appeal. Sky don't really care about being a bit Westminster Village and that works for me. Thing is, Dimbleby is 'out of the loop' and I don't recall seeing him in Westminster well... ever. Boulton and Jon Craig I see on a daily basis wandering around the buildings (amongst plenty of others it should be said, although in four years I've NEVER seen Nick Robinson) and just get the impression that they really know what's going on. Dimbleby is a good presenter but I'd rather watch someone who did the nitty gritty on a daily basis rather than just turning up for the set piece events.

Downside is that Sky are always slowest with the results because obviously they have far fewer resources than the other two.

It's for the election, Metro-Poll, geddit??!!?

It was Sput's idea. Blame him.