... and now chequed.

I went off to vote late last night, round about 9.15 (I had intended to go from school with LL in tow to demonstrate how to be a good citizen--but it was baking hot and we were both feeling grotty). This meant that a poor old Labour activist had to knock me up (why? in our ward! especially when no canvassing had been done) to be told for the severalth time that I hadn't voted for them for ever so long (since Antonionionio's accession to be precise) but I would be going out later--at which point he got (jokingly) a little less keen on my going to the polling station. So off I went without even a piece of paper: the polling cards have got so big the last couple of years (without, I think, much of an increase in legibility) that I really don't want to take one with me. Anyway, I don't have to, so why bother.

Wandering home again in the unseasonable heat, I realised that the numbers of times I could do that--turn up without any piece of paper and simply give my address and confirm my name--were probably rapidly diminishing. As soon as ID cards come in, I'm sure they'll be required when one votes. Since I have no intention of getting my very own little bit of plastic, I guess this means the occasions on which I can turn up and vote are rapidly dwindling.

I celebrated my present access to the democratic process with a bottle of beer.

[political canvassing]

For those to whom it applies, if you haven't signed before, and you can see fit to sign, there's another anti-ID cards pledge.

[/political canvassing]

The potential lunacies of ID cards continue: from John Hemming's blog.