Well it turned out that the UK General Election voting was far more interesting than the rather dull party campaigning which lead up to it. Unlike in recent years, there was a genuine sense of unpredictability, with regional variations, marginal seats, and local battlegrounds creating a diverse picture across the nation.

Scotland had the potential for some confusion amongst voters, with boundary changes to reduce the overall number of MPs creating entirely new seats. I suspect many voters may have been marking their crosses without actually knowing the make-up of their new constituencies. Apparently we Scots are meant to be particularly keen on the old tactical voting - going for the candidate most likely to keep out the party you hate the most - so I can't help wondering if this may have had an effect.
As always, I watched the whole shebang (hell, I'll even stay up for by-elections, I'm a sad little bunny), and here's some (mildly) amusing quotes from the TV coverage (on the BBC naturally, can't go watching these new-fangled commercial channels for such important occasions...)

"We go now to one of those odd curiosities - Robert Kilroy-Silk"

David Dimbleby, chairing the BBC coverage, on the ex-Labour MP, ex-TV presenter, ex-UK Independence Party celebrity supporter, current Veritas leader, Europhobe and all-round orange fake-tanned loon.

"I did not say when there would be a Tory government, but there will be one sometime."

Boris Johnson, genial Tory buffoon

"I think this gentleman here could be the one to deliver the result. At least he's not wearing a strange hat. Which is always a good thing"

Anne Mackenzie, chairing the BBC Scotland coverage, waiting for the result in opposition leader Michael Howard's seat of Folkestone. This constituency attracted a high number of wackily dressed comedy candidates.

"It's a Loony landslide!"

Lord Toby Jug, Monster Raving Loony Party candidate for Folkestone, repeatedly, as the votes were announced, to the amusement of most of his fellow MP-wannabes.

"Say no to pointless placards"

Slogan on a Monster Raving Loony Party candidate's placard

"You are conducting, even by your standards, one of the most absurd interviews of your career! I've just won an election! ... Can't you find it in yourself to congratulate me?"

"Gorgeous" George Galloway, newly elected (made-up vanity party) Respect MP for Bethnal Bow and Green, to the BBC's uber-interviewer Jeremy Paxman, shortly before flouncing off to bask in his own self-importance. Sir, I salute your indefatigability...

"It's only anoraks who're up at this time"

Eric Pickles, Tory talking head for the night, at a mere 4.56am. I don't know what he meant...


The results seat by seat can be found at The BBC's Election Map