It's the day we've all been waiting for. Tonight, I'll be arriving at the Pearson Centre in Beeston, Broxtowe at about 21.30 for the official count and the night of results.
I've got a list of all the things I need to take with me, which roughly includes a load of instructions and paperwork from Sky News, some food (I've no idea how long I'll be there for), and my spare battery for my BlackBerry which I bought the other day.
This will probably be one of the most exciting nights of my life. Its my ambition to be a broadcast political correspondent, and this is about the closest I've got to it so far. We've been advised to try and get some sleep today so that we're alert as possible for tonight. Firstly, I find it very difficult to nap during the day, and secondly, I'm far too excited.
I may not be able to blog directly tonight, but I am hoping to update my twitter account (@broxtoweresults) as often as I can throughout the night, giving you all the inside information for Broxtowe, a seat which, who knows, could be key in finding out who can form a government tomorrow morning.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then let's begin.
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Monday, 3 May 2010
A Three Horse Race?
Just as we've almost no idea about what the outcome will be of the election result nationally, the constituency result in Broxtowe to be announced in the early hours of Friday morning looks almost as unsure.
It's interesting to read one of the comments on the first post on this blog. Zoomy thinks that despite Anna Soubry, the Conservative candidate, being the most likely person to clinch the most amount of votes, Broxtowe is a 3-horse race.
It probably comes down to a question of the recent surge in support for the Liberal Democrats, and how much that will affect the chances of both Ms Soubry, and Dr. Nick Palmer, the incumbent Labour candidate.
Broxtowe, in its current form, has technically only been a constituency since 1983. The seat was abolished in 1955 and then re-created nearly 30 years later. Since then, its been held by the Conservatives for 14 years, and Labour for 13. Maybe the constituency tires itself of one party after a certain amount of years? We'll find out on Thursday night into Friday morning.
What do you think? Three, two or one horse race?
Remember, I'm on twitter as well - @BroxtoweResults. Would be great to hear from you.
It's interesting to read one of the comments on the first post on this blog. Zoomy thinks that despite Anna Soubry, the Conservative candidate, being the most likely person to clinch the most amount of votes, Broxtowe is a 3-horse race.
It probably comes down to a question of the recent surge in support for the Liberal Democrats, and how much that will affect the chances of both Ms Soubry, and Dr. Nick Palmer, the incumbent Labour candidate.
Broxtowe, in its current form, has technically only been a constituency since 1983. The seat was abolished in 1955 and then re-created nearly 30 years later. Since then, its been held by the Conservatives for 14 years, and Labour for 13. Maybe the constituency tires itself of one party after a certain amount of years? We'll find out on Thursday night into Friday morning.
What do you think? Three, two or one horse race?
Remember, I'm on twitter as well - @BroxtoweResults. Would be great to hear from you.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
The last rehearsal
"I have the result for Broxtowe"...
Today, at around 3pm to be precise, is the last time I'll be saying that on the phone before it happens for real on Thursday night/Friday morning. In the last few weeks, Sky have ran a few phone rehearsals for election night, making it as close as we can to what could really happen on the night.
Although we're following a pretty basic script in order to make communication as easy as possible between myself and the lucky person who recieves my phone call at Sky HQ, as with all my fellow stringers across the country - what will happen on the night will inevitably be far more complex.
I think that's partly because this election is still wide open, especially in such marginal seats like Broxtowe, the results of which could be critical to finding out the overall result some time early on Friday morning. If we look at the difference in some of the polls at the moment, almost anything could still happen.
Must say though - all credit to Sky News for running a very smooth operation in the run up to the election, both with the on-screen coverage, and the behind the scenes preparation which I am so privileged to be a part of. Lets hope it all goes so well on Thurday night!
Today, at around 3pm to be precise, is the last time I'll be saying that on the phone before it happens for real on Thursday night/Friday morning. In the last few weeks, Sky have ran a few phone rehearsals for election night, making it as close as we can to what could really happen on the night.
Although we're following a pretty basic script in order to make communication as easy as possible between myself and the lucky person who recieves my phone call at Sky HQ, as with all my fellow stringers across the country - what will happen on the night will inevitably be far more complex.
I think that's partly because this election is still wide open, especially in such marginal seats like Broxtowe, the results of which could be critical to finding out the overall result some time early on Friday morning. If we look at the difference in some of the polls at the moment, almost anything could still happen.
Must say though - all credit to Sky News for running a very smooth operation in the run up to the election, both with the on-screen coverage, and the behind the scenes preparation which I am so privileged to be a part of. Lets hope it all goes so well on Thurday night!
Friday, 30 April 2010
Where is Broxtowe?
The Sky News election map is brilliant. (And no, I'm not just saying that because they're employing me on election night.)
http://constituency.sky.com/page/broxtowe
As you can see, Broxtowe is just west of Nottingham. In a sense it's a seat typical of many in the East Midlands - a region full of marginal constituencies. Its seats such as Broxtowe which could determine which party is able (or not) to form a government on May 7th.
According to Sky: Broxtowe is largely suburban and middle class. There aren't many extremes of rich or poor in the seat although there are some traditional working class Labour areas in the main town of Beeston. Boots and Siemens are major employers although most people commute outside the seat into Nottingham. There are some smaller villages in the north of the seat that are home to wealthier Tory voters.
http://constituency.sky.com/page/broxtowe
As you can see, Broxtowe is just west of Nottingham. In a sense it's a seat typical of many in the East Midlands - a region full of marginal constituencies. Its seats such as Broxtowe which could determine which party is able (or not) to form a government on May 7th.
According to Sky: Broxtowe is largely suburban and middle class. There aren't many extremes of rich or poor in the seat although there are some traditional working class Labour areas in the main town of Beeston. Boots and Siemens are major employers although most people commute outside the seat into Nottingham. There are some smaller villages in the north of the seat that are home to wealthier Tory voters.
Welcome to Broxtowe
Welcome to Broxtowe. One of hundreds of seats which Labour gained from the Conservatives in 1997, now held with a diminishing majority. Its target number 42 for the Tories, so Thursday 6th May is set to be an exciting night for the seat, which is just west of Nottingham.
I'm a broadcast journalism student at Nottingham Trent University, and am just about to graduate. I've been given the fantastic opportunity to cover the Broxtowe constituency for Sky News on election night. It's my job to find out the result as soon as I can, get all the important information back to Sky HQ, so that Sky can get the vital statistics out on air.
I hope you find the blog interesting and insightful. The majority of the blog posts will come on the night of the 6th May, but there'll be some personal reflections beforehand.
Here's a list of all the candidates standing in Broxtowe:
Chris Cobb (UKIP)
David Mitchell (Greens)
Nick Palmer (Labour)
Mike Shore (BNP)
Anna Soubry (Conservatives)
David Watts (Liberal Democrats)
Please find me on twitter as well: @BroxtoweResults
I'm a broadcast journalism student at Nottingham Trent University, and am just about to graduate. I've been given the fantastic opportunity to cover the Broxtowe constituency for Sky News on election night. It's my job to find out the result as soon as I can, get all the important information back to Sky HQ, so that Sky can get the vital statistics out on air.
I hope you find the blog interesting and insightful. The majority of the blog posts will come on the night of the 6th May, but there'll be some personal reflections beforehand.
Here's a list of all the candidates standing in Broxtowe:
Chris Cobb (UKIP)
David Mitchell (Greens)
Nick Palmer (Labour)
Mike Shore (BNP)
Anna Soubry (Conservatives)
David Watts (Liberal Democrats)
Please find me on twitter as well: @BroxtoweResults
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
