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Straw backs election night counts Straw backs election night counts
(about 2 hours later)
Election counts will have to begin within four hours of polls closing under proposals backed by Jack Straw.Election counts will have to begin within four hours of polls closing under proposals backed by Jack Straw.
The justice secretary has thrown his weight behind a cross-party campaign to save the traditional election night.The justice secretary has thrown his weight behind a cross-party campaign to save the traditional election night.
He told MPs he was concerned about the "growing trend by returning officers" to begin counts the following day "for their own convenience".He told MPs he was concerned about the "growing trend by returning officers" to begin counts the following day "for their own convenience".
He said he was confident MPs would back an amendment to the Constitutional Reform Bill when they vote on it later.He said he was confident MPs would back an amendment to the Constitutional Reform Bill when they vote on it later.
MPs will be given a free vote on the issue.MPs will be given a free vote on the issue.
It is far from certain that the bill will become law before a general election but Mr Straw said he wanted to "send a message" to returning officers.It is far from certain that the bill will become law before a general election but Mr Straw said he wanted to "send a message" to returning officers.
And the fact that the election night amendment has Labour and Tory backing means it is likely to get through the House of Lords intact.And the fact that the election night amendment has Labour and Tory backing means it is likely to get through the House of Lords intact.
Nearly 70 MPs have backed a campaign to ensure all votes at the next general election are counted in a single night. More than 100 MPs have backed a campaign to ensure all votes at the next general election are counted in a single night.
MPs are worried that the traditional election night drama is under threat as more constituencies consider holding their counts the following afternoon.MPs are worried that the traditional election night drama is under threat as more constituencies consider holding their counts the following afternoon.
An early day motion calling for counting to began immediately after the polls shut has been signed by 68 MPs. Two early day motions calling for counting to began immediately after the polls shut have been signed by scores of MPs.
Signatories include Tory chairman Eric Pickles, former minister Tom Harris and Lib Dem frontbencher Norman Baker.Signatories include Tory chairman Eric Pickles, former minister Tom Harris and Lib Dem frontbencher Norman Baker.
The motion was launched amid reports that as many as one in four councils are reported to be considering abandoning the traditional Thursday night count in favour of one on Friday. The motions were launched amid reports that as many as one in four councils are reported to be considering abandoning the traditional Thursday night count in favour of one on Friday.
New postal voting rules and higher staff costs are among reasons thought to be behind those considering delays to counts.New postal voting rules and higher staff costs are among reasons thought to be behind those considering delays to counts.
Counting in the recent Norwich North by-election took place the following morning.Counting in the recent Norwich North by-election took place the following morning.