Decision Day

The polls are open today (Thursday 23rd June) from 7.00am until 10pm. 

Do use your vote in what must be the most important decision the British people have had to take for decades.

The officials at the polling station (who are independent of either campaign can advise you if you have any problems).

Where is my designated polling station? 

You can find the address of your polling station on your polling card. You can only vote at your designated polling station.  If you can not find your polling card you can contact us and we will be able to provide that information. You do not need your polling card with you to vote because your name will be on the register at the polling station.

How do I vote at the polling station? 

If you are on the register of electors you will receive a poll card a few weeks before an election. This will tell you how, where and when to vote.

This card is for information only so don't worry if you lose it or forget it. (You can still vote without the poll card but it is easier if you have it with you).

You will be assigned to a polling station in your area, for example, at a school or village hall. On election day you should go to the polling station during the times it is open - this will be stated on your polling card.

At the polling station you will be given a ballot paper which is stamped with an official mark.

Take the ballot paper to one of the polling booths and put a cross in the box next to the option you are voting for. Do not write anything else on the ballot paper, otherwise your vote might not count. Once you have voted you must fold the ballot paper and show it to the clerk before you put it in the locked ballot box. You don't have to tell anyone what you voted for.

Do I need to take my polling card to the polling station to vote? 

No, you do not need your polling card to vote. This card is for information only so don't worry if you lose it or forget it. (You can still vote without the poll card but it is easier if you have it with you).

How long will polling stations be open on 23 June 

Polling stations will open at 7am and close at 10pm, if you are still queuing at the polling station at 10pm you will still have the opportunity vote, you will be invited into the polling station or given a ticket that will identify you as being eligible to cast your vote. Find out more information about polling stations on the gov.uk website

Can I still register to vote for the EU Referendum?

No, it is now too late to register for the EU Referendum. If you have registered to vote for any other election at your current address then you will automatically be registered to vote for this referendum. You cannot check if you are registered to vote online. If you have a polling card in your name at your address then you are registered to vote.

How does Parliament REALLY work?

)Today we have an opportunity to see Parliament at work (actually we do every day - the Chamber & committees are open to the public, and can be viewed from home via the internet.

Prime Minister's Question Time  (PMQs) is on at noon. I won't be watching. In my view it is the worst of Parliament - with petty point scoring and more heat than light. But it can be "fun" - and will be broadcast on BBC Parliament and on the live feed at http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Commons

Sir Philip Green will be appearing before a joint meeting of the Work & Pensions / Business, Innovation and Skills Committee at 9-15 in the Wilson Room, Portcullis House. He will be answering questions about the failure of BHS & his role in that. Of course there's a danger that it could descend into a lynch mob - but actually such committees tend to be very good at drawing out key points. It might be uncomfortable for Sir Philip - but that's what MPs are there for - to ask the questions that we, the public, would like to put. It can be viewed live at http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/e81170bd-19b1-4a53-a96b-874b0cdc2f7f

I had wanted to go down to Westminster this morning to see Ofsted's  Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw & National Schools Commissioner, Sir David Carter give evidence to the Education Select Committee on Multi-Academy Trusts. The Committee (on which I have delivered papers on my research into the working of the committee at various academic conferences)is an example of Parliament working at its best. It is cross-party - but MPs work together well to hold decision makers to account.  It is due to start at 9.30. http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/a2ae37d4-2653-49b7-987e-ae800748244f


Various other committees will be meeting during the day; there will be a debate about Europe in the Chamber this afternoon - and some short debates in "Westminster Hall" (actually not in the ancient hall, but in a committee room off it.

Full details of what's on at Westminster today can be found at http://calendar.parliament.uk and live and recorded meetings can be viewed at www.parliamentlive.tv

Stony Live

Last night we went to see Woburn Jazz  at the Cock Hotel, as part of the Stony Live Festival - which is currently running in the historic town of Stony Stratford, now part of the city of Milton Keynes. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening - with lots of my favourite Big Band numbers, and some more recent work (Queen & Stevie Wonder). The band has some very talented members - and I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for future performances.

It was our second visit to this year's Stony Live. On Saturday we went to the to "Comedy Club" event, which was held at York House. In previous years we've been to a number of events which formed part off this festival. If you haven't yet been along - it's well worth it. There's a wide range of events - to meet almost any taste.

Up to date information on the Stony Live festival can be accessed at http://www.stonylive.info/pages/home/ 

Cherbourg

One of the best ways to get some practice in the language you are learning - is to go to that country - and seek to interact with the locals. That's what I have been doing over the last few days. My daughter and I went to Cherbourg, in Normandy, France.



Whilst over there we ordered a number of meals (breakfast in the Boulangerie maison Toulorge (Boulevard de l'Est - Rue des métiers 50110 Tourlaville Tél : 02 33 20 37 84 - http://www.maison-toulorge.com) was a delight each morning - and brought some useful practice.) and we asked questions in a number of shops. We even had a couple of conversations on the bus.

We were able to do a lot of reading - I got newspapers each day - and have a number of books that I brought home. When we visited tourist attractions we made a point of reading the FRENCH information plaques. There is a delightful walk along the path by the road on the west of Cherbourg - which set out the history of the harbour. We also enjoyed the Chateau de Ravalet. It's a council owned building and gardens - beautifully kept - with a superb café. At the moment they have an exquisite exhibition celebrating "Alice au Pays des Merveilles" - the staff were in costume; the exhibition had some superbly made "fausses pâtisseries" made by l'atelier de Caline.



In the evenings at our hotel we were able to watch some TV.

I've come back a lot more confident about my speaking, listening & reading French