Thursday 8th June 10.00 pm

My wife and I visited the Telford College of Arts and Technology just after the start of the counting of votes for the two parliamentary constituencies of Telford and The Wrekin, accompanied by the Under Sheriff, Madeleine Butcher. We were shown round by the Chief Executive, Richard Partington, and his officials, and had the opportunity to speak to a number of the individuals involved in counting and to meet some of the candidates.

We then visited the Shrewsbury Sports Village, where the counting for the parliamentary constituencies of North Shropshire, Shrewsbury & Atcham and Ludlow was in progress. We were met by the Chief Executive of Shropshire Council, Clive Wright, and briefed on the long night ahead by the Acting Returning Officer and her staff. I stayed to declare the results for the constituencies of  Ludlow (c 4.15 am) and North Shropshire (c 4.30 am), and we left shortly thereafter. The whole process of recording the ballot papers and counting the votes was carried out with great efficiency and calm, and demonstrates the resilience of this basic element of the democratic process.