Barnet Election Special - 10am News - Chaos at Colemanville

Well in my last update at 7pm last night I predicted it would be close. I wasn't wrong. Andrew Dismore lost out in Hendon ward by 150 votes. In the first count it was only 90 votes. Earlier in the evening a friendly Tory activist had told me "Matthew Offord will romp home".

As to the council elections, you may wonder what is happening there. They have not been counted, that will start at around 11am. There was a large turnout inspired by the general election. I genuinely don't know what the result will be.


A word must be said about the organisation of the count. Barnet Council erected 3 marquees to house the three constituency counts. These were absolutely freezing cold. Many of the staff drafted in had no winter clothes. They were there from 9pm, till the count was declared. I felt extremely sorry for them. The whole operation seemed shambolic at times. We were told that Hendon would declare at around 3am. At 7am, they had the first recount. I spoke to a Tory activist who had stood previously in Brent. He said that Brent are extremely efficient and he said that the way Barnet handled the election was poor. It is customary to thank the returning officer - in this case Mayor Brian Coleman as the man responsible. Lets just say he didn't spend too much time in the freezing cold tent.

I'm off in a minute for the council count. If I win my council seat, then the first thing I will do is try and ensure that for future elections a suitable venue is found. If I lose, the world is my Lobster. Unlike some of the career politicians, it isn't the end of the world for me. I was chatting to one of the Mill Hill Tory candidates, Brian Schama. Like me it was his first time standing for council. He said that whatever happened he was glad he took part as he has got to know Mill Hill a lot better. He said that observing the election close up is fascinating and it's worth it for the experience. I have to agree.

A last word on the general election in Hendon. Congratulations to Matthew Offord. It's fair to say I don't see eye to eye with him, but I hope he does a good job for the people of Hendon. I also hope he enjoyed his night. It was a long one and there were some tired and emotional people at the end. As to Andrew Dismore. Commiseration and thank you for all of your hard work in Hendon. Whatever people may say about Andrew, he has worked hard for the constituents. Finally to our candidate Matthew Harris. He worked hard in a seat he was never likely to win (apart from for 48 hours after the first leaders debate). I am sure we'll see more of Matthew. Thanks for your work on the campaign

Mill Hill Election Special - 7pm update

So we're nearly there. 3 hours to go. How's it going? It seems to be going well, but it will be tight. There has been a huge turnout, especially among new voters, who we have no idea how they'll vote. If you haven't voted, get out and do it. In 1994 the Lib Dems won the a seat in Mill Hill by 12 votes. If those voters had decided to watch Eastenders and not vote, the whole history of Mill Hill ward would be different. Will it be that close again? Who can tell.

What is the feeling on the ground? We've had a good response. Polling is especially brisk in some districts. We saw our first Labour canvassers of the campaign this evening in Mill Hill half an hour ago. I bumped into one of the Tory candidates from the last council election, Matt Dreisin.Had an interesting chat about the dynamics of the ward. His advice "You can't take Mill Hill for granted". I certainly don't think we've done that. Will all of the work be enough? Well it certainly will be if the people who've said they will vote for us do. Whatever your views, if you want someone to get in, either at Council or at National level, then vote for them. You have three hours. Time is tight and so will the result be.