Election of Hope is a short story based around a Liberal Democrat candidate in a marginal constituency in the 2019 general election. All of the main protagonists are entirely fictional, although there is some reaction to developments during the real election campaign. Election of Hope is presented for entertainment purposes only and is not written in an attempt to influence anyone’s vote in the general election.

Matt stood stoically on the stage looking out across the sea of party activists eagerly awaiting the result of the election. He was sandwiched between Linda to his right and Hayley to his left, while Janice Butler, the chief executive of the local council, stood poised to read the results of the election.

Inclement weather had prevented ballot boxes from polling stations on the constituency’s remote islands from being collected overnight, and so the count had been delayed until Friday afternoon, once the national result was already known. They would either be adding another member of parliament to an already surprisingly large 78-seat majority for the Conservatives, or ensuring the Liberal Democrats would end the election without a net loss of seats.

The candidates and agents had already been given the result, as they are required to be given the opportunity to ask for a recount if the result was close, but in the event it was not necessary. As was expected of them, the three candidates stood expressionless behind Janice so as not to suggest which way the result was going before the declaration had been made.

“I, Janice Butler,” the chief executive began, causing the room to fall silent, “being the acting returning officer for the constituency of South West Carn, give notice that the number of votes given for each candidate was as follows.

Election of Hope is a short story based around a Liberal Democrat candidate in a marginal constituency in the 2019 general election. All of the main protagonists are entirely fictional, although there is some reaction to developments during the real election campaign. Election of Hope is presented for entertainment purposes only and is not written in an attempt to influence anyone’s vote in the general election.

“Fuck!”

Matt jumped out of his seat and swung round towards Alex, whose sudden exclamation had startled him. He had only been out of hospital for one day, and the two of them were desperately trying to prepare for the hustings.

“What?” Matt responded irritably. Alex’s head was buried in his phone and he took a few seconds to remember Matt was in the room.

“YouGov have updated their MRP model,” he said eventually, still trying to hastily digest the new information.

Relieved that it was nothing serious, Matt allowed himself to relax. He sat back down on the sofa and placed his notes on the coffee table. “Go on,” he said eagerly.

Election of Hope is a short story based around a Liberal Democrat candidate in a marginal constituency in the 2019 general election. All of the main protagonists are entirely fictional, although there is some reaction to developments during the real election campaign. Election of Hope is presented for entertainment purposes only and is not written in an attempt to influence anyone’s vote in the general election.

Spanning 250 metres over the River Massen, Pons Carn was a key route for rush-hour and commercial traffic in and out of the town. Constructed in the late 1870s from stone and iron, it had been widened shortly after the Second World War to allow for the construction of a dual carriageway across the water.

Alex raced to the bridge as fast as his SEAT Ibiza would allow him. Weaving perilously in and out of traffic and jumping the occasional red light when he considered it was safe to do so, he was determined to get the Matt before it was too late. As he neared the bridge, traffic had ground to a halt, so he ditched his car and made the rest of the journey on foot, running.

Upon arrival, he reported to the first police officer he found, who led him to PC Marston.

“Thank you for coming so quickly,” PC Marston said. “This bridge is a busy route, and the shortest diversion is almost 20 miles through country lanes. The sooner we can get Mr Tyler to safety and reopen the road, the better.”