Running for Election
1 Jun 2010
After being contacted by the BBC at the start of April about being a runner for the general election, I was now getting ready to work for the BBC at the Cumbernauld Count.I started at 10pm at the Tryst Sports Centre, Cumbernauld; the PR department from North Lanarkshire Council gave me a badge to get in and out of the building and a nice room to sit in until decision time.
It was a long night, but there was another freelance journalist from ITN at the count, so I had someone to talk to.
We sat in the cafeteria for most of the night with hot drinks and biscuits, so at least I wasn't hungry. About midnight, the returning officer said it was now the verification process for the votes posted into the centre. So I, the Press Officer didn't think it would be much longer.
Finally the results were announced at 2.07am with Labour winning with over 22,000 votes. I called the BBC headquarters in London with results and turnout numbers.
I was asked to wait at the count until called to be dismissed but to be honest I'm still here waiting to be dismissed. I didn't get called back.
Lauren McCann
HND Communications & Media
Cardonald College Glasgow