Ringside seat for an election bout which certainly lived up to its billing

The much-talked about election finale certainly lived up to its billing.

The tension was palpable, and early on it seemed we were faced with a two-way shoot-out between Labour’s Polly and Ukip’s Tim. 

Conservative Jackie arrived early on the night, as did Tim, but Polly didn’t show up until 2am, when she waltzed in with the aura of the winner.

Then a BBC journalist sent a shockwave through the night when, live on TV, he said he had been informed it was a two-horse race between the Tories and Ukip! I don’t rate his source much, but this certainly got tongues, and Tory tails, wagging.

Tim started to look a bit grim, and Polly not so jolly, as the early morning drew towards the soon-to-be jubilant Jackie – who, by the way, you could have backed at 5/1 before the count.

Come 3.15am, it was recount time and the Tories were excited, very excited. Then, just before 4am, Jackie was announced the victor – a mere 536 votes in front of Polly, and 974 ahead of Tim. 

Incredibly close. 

And there was barely time to catch your breath before Ukip mounted something of breakfast-time fight-back, landing seven council seats and taking its total seats to 13. Labour has 18, the Tories 17. 

Ukip were alive again. Now, will they form a council coalition with the Tories? Will they side with Labour? We wait and see.

Who says politics is boring?

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