Lewisham under fire over election plans

Lewisham Council is one of several which are considering holding the vote-counting for the next general election the day after the poll, rather than overnight.

Several councils, including Newcastle upon Tyne, have already opted to hold their counts the following day. They argue that it will be cheaper and will help to minimise errors.

Political junkies, however, are cross because they say it will spoil the drama of election night coverage.

Given that Brockley's MP Joan Ruddock had a 11,811 majority in the 2005 general election, BC doubts that a later count would even be noticed by most people in the borough. But it would be a shame to lose the traditional overnight viewing marathon.