First to the polling station at Hemyock village hall this morning was 81-year-old George Privett. He said: “I always try to vote.”
Meanwhile, Michael Travers was up early to do his civic duty and cast his vote before heading off for a day’s sailing. “Sailing and voting all in one day. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
The constituency stretches to the south Devon coast. Other places in the north eastern end of the area include Burlescombe, Westleigh, Hockworthy, Clayhanger, Petton and Shillingford.
At Culmstock village hall, carpentry teacher Jonathan Nex said: “It’s very important. It’s a crucial vote on Boris Johnson in particular and his track record. In my opinion he’s not standing up for British values of decency and honesty.”
Among the voters at Uffculme was Tania Edworthy, voting early before heading to her job as a residential care worker.
Another early voter Maureen Blanchard, accompanied by her dog Jack, said: “I think we are enormously fortunate to be in a democracy. You can’t grouse and whine afterwards if you don’t vote.”
In all there are eight candidates on the ballot. The by-election follows the forced resignation of former Conservative MP Neil Parish. He held the seat at the 2019 General Election with a majority of 24,239.