IT
It must be one of the easiest times ever to be a political journalist. Yes, they are in incredibly high demand, so the number of working hours they're clocking up must be immense. But public interest in politics is probably at an unparalleled high and they could almost say anything and get away with it. There's always a chance any prediction they make could turn out to be true as no-one, even the so-called experts, have any better idea as to what's going to happen.
itsrobert
Founding member
I really don't know what to say anymore. And to make it about TV rather than politics, I'm not sure the political journalists do either.
It must be one of the easiest times ever to be a political journalist. Yes, they are in incredibly high demand, so the number of working hours they're clocking up must be immense. But public interest in politics is probably at an unparalleled high and they could almost say anything and get away with it. There's always a chance any prediction they make could turn out to be true as no-one, even the so-called experts, have any better idea as to what's going to happen.
:-(
A former member
Just to give some context about monday date.
If the election is on Monday October 14 it will first time a GE hasn’t been on a Thursday since 1931.
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) September 2, 2019
LL
London Lite
Founding member
I don't know how many ITV regions took Boris's statement live, but ITV London did and had guests from the Brexit Party and Lib Dems.
ST
I believe that Thursday was originally selected as the preferred polling day because most people were paid weekly (on a Friday), and parliament thought that they would be skint on a Thursday, and therefore sober enough to vote sensibly. I'm not sure how much of that is actually true or just an 'urban myth'. 
MA
Elections are only on Thursdays by custom, not by law. If someone really wants to call one for a day that isn't a Thursday, then nothing's stopping them.
I can't imagine many will stay up on a Monday night to watch the coverage?
What audience figures have recent Thursday elections had?
October 14th is a MONDAY. It won't be on that date. 10th or 17th maybe.
Elections are only on Thursdays by custom, not by law. If someone really wants to call one for a day that isn't a Thursday, then nothing's stopping them.
I can't imagine many will stay up on a Monday night to watch the coverage?
What audience figures have recent Thursday elections had?
NG
Elections are only on Thursdays by custom, not by law. If someone really wants to call one for a day that isn't a Thursday, then nothing's stopping them.
I can't imagine many will stay up on a Monday night to watch the coverage?
I'd imagine that this election could well get pretty high ratings - as it would be taking place in such unusual circumstances. Not sure why a Thursday night or a Monday night make a huge different? Both are 'school nights'?
What audience figures have recent Thursday elections had?
BBC One got 4.4m/39% between 2200 and 0200 for the 2017 Election. ITV got 1.1m/9%, C4 582k/5% in the same time slot.
So around 6m in total watched election coverage between 2200 and 0200
https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/itv-and-osborne-praised-for-election-night-coverage-but-bbc-wins-the-ratings-battle/
noggin
Founding member
October 14th is a MONDAY. It won't be on that date. 10th or 17th maybe.
Elections are only on Thursdays by custom, not by law. If someone really wants to call one for a day that isn't a Thursday, then nothing's stopping them.
I can't imagine many will stay up on a Monday night to watch the coverage?
I'd imagine that this election could well get pretty high ratings - as it would be taking place in such unusual circumstances. Not sure why a Thursday night or a Monday night make a huge different? Both are 'school nights'?
Quote:
What audience figures have recent Thursday elections had?
BBC One got 4.4m/39% between 2200 and 0200 for the 2017 Election. ITV got 1.1m/9%, C4 582k/5% in the same time slot.
So around 6m in total watched election coverage between 2200 and 0200
https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/itv-and-osborne-praised-for-election-night-coverage-but-bbc-wins-the-ratings-battle/
WL
Elections are only on Thursdays by custom, not by law. If someone really wants to call one for a day that isn't a Thursday, then nothing's stopping them.
I can't imagine many will stay up on a Monday night to watch the coverage?
What audience figures have recent Thursday elections had?
Why would it be any less than on a Thursday? Friday is still a working day for the majority of people.
October 14th is a MONDAY. It won't be on that date. 10th or 17th maybe.
Elections are only on Thursdays by custom, not by law. If someone really wants to call one for a day that isn't a Thursday, then nothing's stopping them.
I can't imagine many will stay up on a Monday night to watch the coverage?
What audience figures have recent Thursday elections had?
Why would it be any less than on a Thursday? Friday is still a working day for the majority of people.
NG
I think the issue with the 17th is that is the day that the UK has agreed to meet the European Council to finalise a deal (or not)... The EU may be persuaded to re-schedule, but I think the 14th is an attempt to avoid that.
It's a convention that we hold Elections on Thursdays, but nothing more than a convention. Legally I believe they can be held on any day.
noggin
Founding member
October 14th is a MONDAY. It won't be on that date. 10th or 17th maybe.
I think the issue with the 17th is that is the day that the UK has agreed to meet the European Council to finalise a deal (or not)... The EU may be persuaded to re-schedule, but I think the 14th is an attempt to avoid that.
It's a convention that we hold Elections on Thursdays, but nothing more than a convention. Legally I believe they can be held on any day.