The Kent History Forum

Life Stories and Personal Memories => Personalities and Biographies => Topic started by: castle261 on October 06, 2019, 02:16:37 PM

Title: General Elections
Post by: castle261 on October 06, 2019, 02:16:37 PM

Two men contested the election -- Captain Plugge V Hugh Gaitskil --- the Captain won. 1935
I remember, the polling office was at the bottom of Castle Road, in Chatham.
Free beer was handed out, if you voted for the ` right person `.

Title: Re: General Election 1935.
Post by: MartinR on October 06, 2019, 08:59:32 PM

Two points: (1) how did they know if you had voted for the "right person", and (2) handing out beer in return for votes is a serious electoral offence called "treating".  I'm surprised that it wasn't illegal in 1935, today it could get you fines, imprisonment and the disqualification of the candidate.  Maybe it was illegal and simply overlooked, but if the "right person" won it would be asking for the "wrong person"'s agent to report the offense to the returning officer.

Title: Re: General Election 1935.
Post by: castle261 on October 07, 2019, 03:40:21 PM

They had people sitting outside with pencil & paper, at the ready. Or, they took your word for it ?

Title: Re: General Election 1935.
Post by: MartinR on October 07, 2019, 05:15:26 PM

Like exit pollsters today?  Call me an old cynic if you want, but if there's free beer involved your voting intentions might change between the secrecy of the voting booth and the canvasser's  notepad! ;D

Title: Re: General Election 1935.
Post by: Smiffy on October 07, 2019, 05:41:13 PM

The man himself: