Election night

“Well, here in Stroud, they’ve been busily counting up the votes for hours, and we’re now just minutes away from finding out the result. The parties have been running neck and neck throughout the campaign, and judging by the faces of the two main rivals, it is still too close to call. Many Conservative voters had been hoping that Martin Piper would be able to build on the narrow majority he secured at the last election. But when he came out strongly in favor of the government’s proposed pay freeze, some of his supporters feared it may have damaged his chances. His opponents have certainly been quick to capitalize on this, and now sense they could be on the verge of victory. Much, though, could hinge on the turnout. We are hearing it is quite low, so this might just tip the balance in Piper’s favor. I can now see a number of people crowding around Martin Horwood, the returning officer, so I think we’re about to get the results. Yes, here we go…”