Latest news with #Asquith
BBC News
14-07-2025
- BBC News
Further arrests made after man stabbed to death in Dewsbury park
A further six men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was stabbed to death in a park in West 36-year-old man died after officers were called to a disturbance involving a group of men in Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury Moor, on Saturday night, a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson men arrested are aged between 18 and 44, with some being arrested in Kirklees and some outside West Yorkshire. The arrests bring the total number of men in custody to said crime scenes remained in place at the park and on nearby Pilgrim Drive and Pilgrim Crescent, while detailed forensic searches took place. People who live near the park have spoken of their shock at what happened. Mohammed Sadiq, 50, knew the man who died and said he played in the park as a child. "It's sad, I used to be a taxi driver and I used to pick him up a lot, he was a very popular guy," he said."It makes you realise that life is too short."He has grown up around here, he played around here when he was a kid."I hope his family find peace and they can find a way to get through this. It's going to be very hard for them."He was a good lad, it's unfortunate what's happened."Mr Sadiq said he felt safe at the park, but it did make him wary about what had happened so close to his home. Brian and Glenys Asquith said they walked in the park several times a week. Mrs Asquith, 79, said it was a "lovely park" and they loved visiting it. But Mr Asquith, 78, said: "You used to see a policeman walking around nearly every week, but you don't see anything now."I think it's a deterioration of our law and order, it's everywhere." Mo, who lives nearby, said he had heard about the man's death on Saturday night, through a video on social media. "It shouldn't have happened, it's not good something like this happening," he said. "I've been coming here for years so to be honest I do feel safe here, it's nothing to do with the park." Susan Master, 64, said she often visited the park with her grandchildren and it was "unbelievable" what had happened. "It's absolutely terrible, I don't know what's gone on but somebody's life has been lost here," she said. "It is such a shame because it's a lovely park, it is unbelievable what's happened. I feel sorry for the family I really do. "Such a young life taken, it's really, really terrible."Flowers have been left at the entrance to the park, in tribute to the man who died. Mrs Master added: "I saw the flowers first thing this morning when I brought my grandchild to school, and I felt so sorry for them."We always come for a walk around here and we enjoy it so much, it is frightening to know what's gone on. "A young life taken like that for whatever reason, it's not good enough is it?"She added that she did feel scared, but needed to carry on as "you can't let something like this change everything".Det Ch Insp James Entwistle said: "Wide ranging and fast moving enquiries remain ongoing with a large number of arrests now made."He said the force was "working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances of the fatal attack" and that there was believed to be no threat to other members of the public. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Times
From the archive: Democracy in action at Oxford
From The Times: July 3, 1925 Polling took place at Oxford yesterday for the election of a new Chancellor of the University to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Lord Curzon of Kedleston. The candidates were Lord Cave (the Lord Chancellor) and Lord Oxford and Asquith. There is a quaint medieval flavour about voting for a Chancellor, and Oxford — not always successful in the management of its ceremonies — had staged the drama well. The Divinity School and the inside of the Sheldonian are a good setting for any play, and gave an impressiveness which is conspicuously absent from the ordinary polling booth. Proceedings opened early: from a quarter to 9 this morning the bell of the University Church rang for its accustomed half-hour to summon members to a meeting of Convocation — for such the assembly technically is. Already at 9.15 there was a fair gathering of voters, mostly residents, but with a mixture of MAs 'from the country', including at least one Cabinet Minister, even at that early hour. Outside the Divinity School were stationed College porters with a supply of gowns, ready to be borrowed. Duly clad, the voter entered the Divinity School and found his voting-paper ready to be filled up. To one accustomed to the secrecy of the ballot it was something of a shock to find that his first duty was to write his own name, but the shock was mitigated by the unique pleasure of delivering his vote in Latin. 'Ego … e Coll. nomino …': there is something splendid in the formula, which for all its old-world ring seems to lay a wonderfully democratic emphasis on the importance of the individual vote. The voter now advances across the quadrangle and enters the great door of the Sheldonian. There he finds the Vice-Chancellor and the Proctors seated in all their majesty at small tables with bedels surrounding them leaning on 'pokers' erect. The Vice-Chancellor receives the vote with a gracious bow, looks at it, and hands it to the Asquithian or Caveite Proctor, and the deed is done. After the close of the poll at 8.30 the result was known as follows: Lord Cave, 987. Lord Oxford and Asquith, 441. Explore 200 years of history as it appeared in the pages of The Times, from 1785 to 1985:
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Viral TikTok Grandmother Norma Burton Dies at Age 91
TikTok's beloved grandmother, Norma Burton, has died at age 91. The news was announced in a statement posted by her granddaughter and collaborator, Jess Asquith According to the post, which was shared across their joint social media platforms, Burton died on June 5. She "fell to sleep peacefully," surrounded by family members and love, read the statement The late British creator had over 3 million followers between TikTok and Instagram, many of whom took to the comments section to mourn Burton and honor her viral humorSocial media star Norma Burton has died at age 91, per a statement posted on the account Burton shared with her granddaughter, Jess Asquith. According to the heartfelt caption, the beloved TikTok grandma — who made a name for herself in humorous videos alongside Asquith — died on June 5. The post specified that Burton "fell to sleep peacefully, surrounded by all her family, she was full of love and had the most beautiful care." In collaboration with Asquith, the late British content creator garnered over 800,000 Instagram followers and 2.7 million followers on TikTok. In the post announcing her death, Asquith shared that their online community made Burton's "last years so incredibly special," adding, "her cup was full and in her own words she 'lived such a wonderful life.' " Asquith's statement continued, "91 years was never going to be enough and she has left the biggest hole in all of our hearts. Reunited with her husband and family, until we meet again, our queen 💔." The caption accompanied a photo of Burton smiling in a blue sweater and crown while sitting up in a chair seen in many of her video posts. The granddaughter-grandmother duo started posting consistently on TikTok in 2021 and quickly garnered millions of views. They regularly participated in ongoing TikTok trends, used fun filters and created content that showed off Burton's colorful personality. Thousands of fans and followers took to the comments to mourn Burton and honor her social media impact. "I often felt like she was our own Instagram nan. Sending so much love. Rest in peace, dear Norma," one Instagram user wrote. Another added, "She was such a legend! I loved watching you both and your relationship was so beautiful ❤️." Love Island U.K. star Molly-Mae Hague shared her condolences on Instagram, writing, "This has shattered my heart. Rest In paradise Norma. 🤍🕊️ one special lady." Read the original article on People
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
I flew on hyped new airline claiming to bring back 'golden age'
Global Airlines is promising a return to the 'Golden Age' of air travel - but what's it really like to fly on board the A380 from Manchester to New York with the new carrier? If you've ever jetted off from Manchester Airport to the Big Apple, your airline choices likely included Aer Lingus or Virgin Atlantic, perhaps even British Airways connecting via a London airport. But brace yourselves for a sky-high revolution as a new contender, Global Airlines, promises to channel the charm of yesteryear's glorious air travel days. Arriving seemingly out of the blue, Global Airlines is taking on established heavyweight carriers, deploying the mammoth "Superjumbo" Airbus A380 as its weapon of choice. The venture kicked off in 2021, steered by entrepreneur James Asquith – the same high-flyer who challenged the hospitality sector with Airbnb competitor Holiday Swap and snagged a Guinness World Record as the youngest bloke to trot across every nation on the globe. Taking under his wing a seasoned 12 year old A380 that once graced the skies with China Southern, 'millionaire' Asquith – new to the aviation industry but not to travel – added the behemoth to his fledgling fleet in May 2023. He's been upfront about it: launching an airline has always been his boyhood fantasy. But is this vision genuinely within reach? Here's the grand blueprint: refit the airliner into a bastion of class-straddling splendour, including a unique gaming cabin, a lively onboard pub, and the inception of a newfangled travel category that blends the luxuries of business with premium economy's value. Passengers can anticipate the novelty of boarding a four-engine, double-decker colossus — a dwindling thrill as most airlines favour smaller, easier-to-manage machines. Emirates remains one notable exception, still cruising triumphant with three A380s leaving Manchester daily. The inaugural Global Airlines flight, operated by Hi Fly, from Glasgow to New York JFK on May 15 received mixed reactions, with the much-anticipated 'gamer cabin' missing and the aircraft retaining a strong China Southern vibe. Youtuber Josh Cahill didn't mince words in his review titled "Global Airlines STRANGE First Flight and it was VERY BAD!", slamming the airline for failing to meet expectations. However, The Independent's travel expert Simon Calder offered a contrasting view, describing the journey as a "very comfortable flight" and a "fascinating event". Despite its grandiose name, Global Airlines isn't actually an airline and lacks an operating licence; it's legally run by Portuguese carrier Hi Fly, with Travelopedia handling the ticket sales. I joined the second Global Airlines flight from Manchester Airport to New York JFK on May 21, and it turned out to be one of the most bizarre flights I've ever experienced. From check-in to take-off, with plane enthusiasts peering through the airport fence, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. However, as the flight progressed, it became evident that the Global Airlines experience is still very much a work in progress. The branded headrest covers, vanity kits and flight menus were no match for the obvious signs of 12 years' wear and tear inside the aircraft. Strip away the icons from any major airline and you'd get a fairly good idea of who you were flying with based on brand identity alone. But take the Global Airlines branding out of the picture, and you wouldn't have a clue which company's aircraft you were in – not exactly confidence-inspiring in times when brand trust is everything. However, taking a seat on an Airbus A380 was undeniably a highlight. The plane attracted plenty of excitement, especially from several YouTubers who were there capturing every moment of the journey – cameras seemed to emerge left, right, and centre over passenger seats. Amongst them were the renowned travelling couple Kara and Nate, boasting a staggering 4.2million subscribers. Another YouTube personality even made the trip all the way from Melbourne just to be part of the flight. So what was the flight like? Here's the lowdown on my experience with Global Airlines from Manchester Airport to New York JFK. Regarding check-in and boarding: On the night before the flight, we got an email from James Asquith himself, where he said he was "looking forward to seeing us". He helpfully told us which check-in desks we should head to and reminded us about the ESTA – useful advice, albeit a bit late for those who hadn't sorted one yet. We were also advised to 'charge up' our devices as we would need them to access the inflight entertainment system and informed that there was no wifi on board. I found the former more annoying; I enjoy watching a good film or two on a long-haul flight and appreciate being 'offline' for several hours. Not owning a tablet, I have no desire to squint at my phone screen to watch a movie. Another notable aspect: Global Airlines' website is basic, with little guidance on customer service. There was no help number, and no responses to any emails when we had a query about the booking. Most major airlines have the option to 'manage your booking' online, but this was not the case here. Upon arriving at check-in the next morning at Manchester Airport's Terminal 1, we saw banners displaying Global Airline's branding (with "operated by Hi Fly" in small print), one for each class: Global Traveller, Global Business, and Global First. A sparkly photo point, branded cupcakes, and a buzz among passengers created a lively atmosphere. I spotted two men with Airbus A380 key rings dangling off their bags. I chatted with two young men who had won their tickets in an Instagram competition, finding out only 48 hours before the flight's departure. After receiving my economy ticket, I proceeded through security like any other traveller. I must say, it was the smoothest security experience I've ever had, breezing through in less than five minutes thanks to the new scanners that don't require you to remove anything from your bags - a real boon for passengers. I can't say whether business and first class passengers were whisked away to a lounge, but I found myself left to my own devices in Manchester's soon-to-be-demolished Terminal 1. However, I did enjoy a splendid view of the Global Airlines A380 as I savoured my coffee at Starbucks, the massive aircraft dwarfing all others nearby. Having purchased my obligatory (at least for me) magazines and a 750ml bottle of Buxton from WH Smiths, gate 20D was announced and I made my way there, where a gentleman directed me downstairs. It quickly became apparent that the flight wouldn't be heavily populated. I later learned that there were only between 80-90 passengers on the plane, which has a capacity of around 500. It does make one wonder: why operate such a large aircraft if you can't even fill it? Asquith himself arrived, flanked by a group of people, but without any fanfare - you wouldn't know it was him unless you recognised his face - no grandstanding here. First class passengers were, naturally, called up first, partially filling the bus that would transport them to the aircraft. The rest of us were then ushered on, although when my boarding ticket was checked I was told it needed to be altered and received a premium ticket - although there was no mention of the word 'upgrade', simply that I had been issued the wrong ticket at check in. We sped across the apron to the plane, which bore the Global Airlines livery, its vast size truly becoming apparent. And it really was a beast of a plane - honestly massive. Even the ground staff seemed excited about it. We climbed the steps to the lower deck, and headed inside. We were led upstairs, passing through the first class cabin on the way, and then I settled into my seat in business. Take off and settling in: The flight was due to depart at 12.25pm, at 12.45pm we were taxiing to the runway, and after a smooth take off - watched by dozens of plane spotters - we were up in the air by 1pm, informed by the pilot that the flight would be six hours and 30 minutes. My business class cabin was barely a quarter full, unlike any other flight I've been on. The way it's configured is that there are four seats across - one at either window and two in the middle. Each has a side table, a screen directly in front of the seat and a foot rest which comes into use when you recline the seat into the flat position. The foot rest also has a handy storage section for your shoes or bag. There's a tray table that can be pulled out for dining, and plenty of storage for your books, phones and more beside the seat. My seat was adorned with a certificate for the maiden voyage, a menu, a bookmark with a message from Asquith, a blanket, a cushion and a vanity kit. This was a stylish zipped leather wallet containing socks, an eye mask, ear plugs and a dental kit, along with a pen. It was decent but not too dissimilar to a Turkish Airlines economy kit I recently obtained - which even had slippers. The seat was certainly comfortable and spacious; having the side table was a real plus. Yet it felt tired and dated; I noticed several scuffs and stains, and when I fully reclined my seat I could see what looked like tea or coffee stains on the plastic back of the seat. You could see where old stickers had been removed, and where new stickers were covering up old ones. China Southern patterns were still visible and it all felt a bit shabby. It's obviously not what Global Airline's had planned. Food and drink: My menu was the Global Traveller option, which presumably meant I was getting the economy meal while sitting in business, not unheard of if you're upgraded at the last minute but still a little bizarre. It stated that we would be presented with a selection of drinks including Laurent Perrier Champagne, fine wines, spirits and beers, soft drinks and juices, and snacks. I was anticipating a round of drinks before the meal, but none came. However, it was intriguing to see that a few passengers near the front were being served and it became clear throughout the flight that they were receiving the true business experience, while I and other passengers nearby were not. After a reasonable wait, lunch arrived: caprese salad to start, followed by a main course of either herbed chicken ballantine, pan fried sea bass or spiced white bean and aubergine cassolette, with a citrus tart to finish. I opted for the chicken and it was scrumptious, served with carrots, spring onion, and crushed potatoes with some gravy. The salad was delightful with a charming tiny bottle of dressing, while the tart was exceptional, refreshingly tangy and light. However, the bread roll was not served warm, as is customary on flights, making it rather chewy. There was also no salt and pepper, or wet wipe provided with the cutlery. We were offered a drink but there was no sign of the champagne, so I chose white wine. The meal was satisfactory, but it lacked refinement. I was told that during the Glasgow flight there was a delay in getting the food on board, resulting in long waits for passengers, although this was not the case on our flight. About an hour later, the crew came round to offer us a snack such as crisps, olives and sweets, along with a drink. This time I asked for champagne and I did receive it, along with some salted Kettle chips. Our menu also had an 'a la carte' section which included two types of afternoon tea, one for meat-eaters and one vegetarian. About 90 minutes before we were due to land the crew came round asking if we wanted anything - but didn't explicitly say 'would you like the afternoon tea', it was only by me pushing for more information that they said the afternoon tea was available. I feared a bout of turbulence would threaten its arrival, but it safely appeared, although the sandwiches were a mix from both the options and the scones were missing. It was delicious though and filled a hole - I was just glad I had the initiative to push for it. In flight entertainment: Inflight entertainment, particularly if you're not going to offer WIFI, is key on a long haul flight. Across most major airlines it's gone from strength to strength and often it's a chance to catch up on new releases you may have missed in the cinema. So to be told the screens wouldn't be working on board was a huge disappointment for me, particularly as I didn't have a tablet computer. I knew I wasn't going to bother watching anything but out of curiosity I scanned the QR code which connected me to the Global Times network. The option to view the flight route was available, albeit in a very basic manner: it didn't display departure time, arrival time, ground speed or any of the usual information you'd expect on a plane. It seemed like my friends and family on the ground had more information about my flight than I did up in the air. A few films were available for viewing, including Beetlejuice, Barbie and Twister, along with several others I hadn't heard of. There was a category labelled 'Europeen' - yes, spelled incorrectly, and only a handful of TV shows, including the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I opted to stick with my magazines and podcasts, often catching my blurred reflection in the redundant screen opposite me. The service: The aircraft was staffed by a Hi Fly crew, though I was told that some of them had undergone Global Airlines training and they all wore the uniform. All crew members were friendly, polite and carried out their duties professionally. At one point, we were given hot damp cloths (always a treat) and a selection of hand, foot and cuticle creams - I used the hand cream but due to cabin pressure, it wouldn't stop pouring out and I had to use a wet wipe to deal with the excessive greasiness. Still, it was a nice touch. However, there was an undeniable feeling that this wasn't a Global Airlines crew, which added to the sense of an unfinished product. Cabin crew usually take great pride in their airlines, but the crew here felt like they were merely playing a role. The other cabins: I had the opportunity to explore both the first class and economy cabins. The latter was pretty standard as you'd expect. Much like the business cabin, first class was spacious, with each seat in its own cubicle equipped with privacy screens. The Global Airlines touch was evident in the finer details: small leather handbags containing vanity kits, beige pyjama sets (which one Youtuber demonstrated has a zip that encloses the hood completely, almost like a morph suit), and slippers. I managed to get a glimpse of the first class menu, which boasted more options than a high-end restaurant. Lunch choices included caviar, antipasti, a cheese platter and a smoked salmon platter. An 'amuse bouche' course featured dishes such as tuna tartar, duck foie gras, and smoked duck breast. Interestingly, while economy's 'a la carte' offered a lighter snack option of afternoon tea, first class passengers were treated to a three-course feast. Considering this is a flight of under seven hours, after their lunch, passengers in first could then dine on: beetroot salad, tomato and mozzarella or balik salmon; followed by: blackened miso cod, beef tender rib, chicken ballantine or pan fried butternut squash; and finished with 'pina colada' and 'strawberry gem' desserts or a chocolate and avocado mousse. The menu was certainly ambitious and impressive. However, I suspect it's the sort of grub you'd prefer to enjoy in a brand new first class seat, not one that's over a decade old. How much did the flights cost? We shelled out £697.28 for return flights from Manchester Airport to New York JFK, booked a week before take-off. This included 10kg hand luggage and 23kg hold luggage. However, in the weeks leading up to departure, they announced several flash sales, with return economy tickets starting from £380 and return business tickets from £1999. A safe landing, but an uncertain future: Catching glimpses of the iconic Manhattan skyline, we landed smoothly at JFK, our bags ready to collect promptly after passing through passport control. The A380, owned by Global Airlines, managed to get off the ground and safely deliver its passengers to their destination. Judging by the buzz surrounding the A380, perhaps Asquith is onto something. There was a touch of magic in the air, the sense that this could be the start of something truly exciting. However, the product I experienced felt unfinished. It somewhat resembled a stunt, akin to how people rent grounded private jets just to snap photos for their social media, creating an illusion. This felt like the A380 had been rented too, slapped with some logos and sent off on potentially a one-off service. Global Airlines has a mountain to climb in order to establish a strong brand identity, revamp its A380 (let alone expand its fleet), and crucially, it needs to become an official airline. Until then, trusted brands such as Aer Lingus, Virgin and British Airways seem much more attractive for transatlantic routes from Manchester. If Asquith manages to pull this off, Global Airlines will mark a new chapter in the history of aviation. But that's a very big, Superjumbo jet-sized if.
The Guardian
29-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Inside the Bradfield recount: painstaking and polite, but sometimes heartbreaking
The Bradfield recount is being held in a warehouse in Asquith that appears to have been used for a number of northern Sydney electorates, but on my visit only Bradfield is being counted. A space is set aside as a break room for scrutineers, with large teams for the teal candidate, Nicolette Boele, and the Liberal, Gisele Kapterian, who finished just eight votes ahead after the first complete count. Given there were more than 6,500 informal votes in Bradfield (5.51% of those cast), the potential for decisions over validity to settle the outcome are obvious. Each candidate has at least enough scrutineers to have one watching every person counting. The regular counting space is divided into a series of bays. Each bay is dealing with one polling place at a time. The first part of the process is to conduct a fresh first-preference count. Ballot papers are already in bundles of 50, in first preference order. Each counter takes one bundle at a time and removes the rubber band, then carefully checks each ballot to ensure it is formal and that the first preference is correct. It is then laid on a pile facing the scrutineers, who can observe it. This process happens more slowly and carefully than you would expect for an election night count. Once each bundle is fully checked, the rubber band is put back on, and they keep going until all the votes for that candidate have been checked. Once this is done, the counter will take each bundle and hand-count to verify there are 50 in each bundle, and then the other counter sharing that table will swap bundles and do the same check. During this process, scrutineers are free to challenge a ballot. If they do, the ballot is put in a box to be referred to the divisional returning officer (DRO) for review. While I am there this happens with a decent number of votes – a few dozen for a normal booth size – but not excessively. Once the primary votes have all been checked, the informal pile is also checked. And then the box of challenged ballots is reviewed by the DRO. After the DRO review, each booth will redo the distribution of preferences, step by step. The DRO considers each ballot carefully and makes a ruling about the status of the ballot (who gets the first preference or whether it is informal), stamps the back and fills out a little form explaining their decision. At this point a scrutineer can refer a ballot to the Australian electoral officer (AEO) for a final decision. The AEO is the senior Australian Election Commission staff member for the state and is effectively the final arbiter in the recount process. The AEO carefully considers each ballot referred up for adjudication in line with the AEC's formality principles – including by deploying a magnifying glass. Both the DRO and AEO are careful and cautious, but also very clear on their priorities. The formality principles require them to construe the ballot paper as a whole, and err in favour of the franchise. This means that sometimes when a number is not entirely clear, but context clues make it clear that, for example, it would make sense for a number to be a 4 rather than a 7, they may interpret it that way. Officials can be very strict, while also giving a ballot the best chance of being counted. Occasionally scrutineers will politely make a case for a particular figure representing a particular number, but there are no arguments or shouting. You wouldn't know these people are in a fierce recount coming down to a handful of votes. If more people could see how this works it would increase faith in the democratic process, but it is frustrating to see votes that clearly attempt to express a preference ending up informal. In some cases it appears a voter made a mistake by losing count of where they were up to – a ballot might have unique numbers from one to five and seven, but two sixes instead of a six and an eight. In plenty of cases, the culprit was bad handwriting. The AEC officials do their best to fairly determine the correct answer, but ultimately sometimes it's too hard. Voters, try your best to write the numbers clearly and distinctly! But in a lot of cases where votes are made informal, it is perfectly clear who they preferred between Boele and Kapterian – the confusion was irrelevant to the ultimate outcome of the race. There are various ways the rules could be changed to make it easier for some of these votes to count. The most extreme would be to adopt optional preferential voting as used in New South Wales state elections, where voters are not required to number any more than one box. But under that system many fewer preferences would flow, and it opens the doors for parties to run 'Just Vote 1' campaigns to discourage opposing voters from using their ballots to their full value. We could also adopt a system similar to that used in the Senate, where voters are asked to number at least six boxes above the line, but votes are counted even when they number fewer. Short of those more significant changes, we could adopt more subtle 'savings provisions' that would keep the system as is but would give the AEC more flexibility to accept votes with minor errors. Votes with every box filled out but with a duplicate number could be counted until the vote-counters reach the duplicate number. Or we could require voters to number at least six boxes, but not every box. That would eliminate the problem where voters apply the Senate ballot instructions to the House, and as a result have their lower house vote treated as informal. Some have also suggested electronic voting. There are concerns about losing the paper trail, and it would be an enormous effort to roll out the technology and deal with the expected technical problems, to thousands of polling booths. Some jurisdictions, such as New Zealand and the ACT, have used a hybrid model where big pre-poll booths use electronic voting but smaller booths still use pencils and paper. Others have suggested a compromise system whereby a voter fills their ballot out on a screen but the ballot is then printed out and submitted by hand. The AEC plans to conduct a survey of informality after this election, so we know more about why exactly votes have been treated as informal. In the past, this has shown us only about half of informal votes appear to be deliberate. We probably can't do much about those but it is heartbreaking to watch a ballot paper where the voter clearly made an effort to have their say end up on the informal pile. Ben Raue attended the Bradfield recount after being appointed as a scrutineer but took no active part in the process. This is an edited and expanded version of an article that first appeared on his blog The Tally Room.
