The Spectator

Barometer | 8 June 2017

Also in Barometer: how many people do the police shoot dead? And who gets sent for deradicalisation?

issue 10 June 2017

X offenders

The artist Banksy had to withdraw an offer of a free print to people voting against the Conservatives in Bristol after the police warned that it would be illegal. Some other electoral offences:

— Offering food, drink or any other gift specifically to persuade people to vote in a certain way or to refrain from voting.
— To go out canvassing if you are a serving police officer.
— The Electoral Commission is not sure about the legality of taking a ballot-box selfie, but in 2014 it advised returning officers to display notices prohibiting photography inside all polling stations.

Grey power

Is politics now an old person’s game? At 128, the Conservative and Labour leaders had the oldest combined age since Eden and Attlee’s (129) in 1955.

Older party leaders:

Tory age / Labour age

1955 57 / 72
2017 60 / 68

1983 57 / 69
1979 53 / 67

1959 65 / 53

Younger party leaders:

Tory age / Labour age

2001 40 / 48
2015 48 / 45

1997 54 / 43
1966 49 / 50

1992 49 / 50

 

Deadly force

Police shot dead three terrorists who had killed eight people in an attack in London.

Get Britain's best politics newsletters

Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in