Bercow speaks up over counts

COMMONS Speaker John Bercow joined demands for late-night election counts to be saved from budget cuts, warning it would be a "travesty" if they were axed.

Increasing numbers of returning officers are considering counting votes on Friday, instead of opening ballot boxes as soon as voting ends at 10pm.

Mr Bercow, whose own constituency count is set to be the focus of TV cameras, yesterday appealed for the retention of "instant democracy".