Pet dogs are a peculiarly British preoccupation; even obsession. It was oddly fitting that doggies of all types and hues were a part of the general scheme of things as the Brits went to the polls. Even as people were out casting their votes, #DogsAtPollingStations was trending on social media.
Incumbent leader Boris Johnson tweeted this and then tweeted #DogsAtPollingStations. While people expressed either their support or opposition to the Tory party leader and his politics, others went off on the doggie tangent.
This Twitter user questioned the presence of ‘a disgusting smelly and vile scruff’ at the polling booth. Of course, he wasn’t talking about the dog --- characteristic savage Brit wit there.
They had general elections in 2015, then in 2017 and now again in 2019; the third in five years as this tweet points out.
The Green party leader tweeted a pic of this elderly Lab with an exhortation to people to vote for his party. So, the love of dogs is seen across the political and ideological spectrum, it would seem.
It was Britain’s first December poll since the 1920s and it was raining to boot. People still came out to vote with their pooches; some quite festively dressed.
Brexit has been in limbo for a long time now because the Tories did not have sufficient numbers in parliament.
Johnson called early elections (otherwise due in 2022) to try and cobble together the numbers to push Brexit through; which is why people were calling these elections crucial.
It is also a responsibility.
If doggies can come out in the cold December rain, so can you, says this tweet.
As the video shows, the Brits really adore their fur babies, many of whom obediently waited outside while the votes were cast inside.
This one voted with a little puppy tucked up inside her dungarees.
This guide dog helped their human vote using a tactile voting template.
The dogs may not be too interested in the lofty ongoing democratic exercise, they did make things more interesting for voters.
Just the presence of those eager, trusting, loyal creatures makes things better somehow.
The hopes of Labour supporters have been comprehensively dashed by the Tories capturing 365 seats and a comfortable majority. Perhaps #DogsAtPollingStations helped voters come to terms with the results which have been very different from a lot of expectations.
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