Thank you for all the memories

COVERING elections has been one of the highlights of my newspaper journalism career.

- CLARE AINSWORTH

I was always the first reporter to volunteer to cover a count and I have since worked through many election nights before proudly sending special editions to press at around 5am.

The excitement of waiting for each declaration and updating the pages accordingly has never worn-off.

I particularly remember the Blair victory of 1997 when I was working as a reporter in Thanet, Kent.

I wasn’t exactly on good terms with the South Thanet MP Jonathan Aitken having repeatedly called him for comment over allegations in the national media concerning his dealings with Saudi businessmen.

Who can forget how he announced he would be suing for libel saying: “If it falls to me to start a fight to cut out the cancer of bent and twisted journalism in our country with the simple sword of truth and the trusty shield of British fair play, so be it. I am ready for the fight.”

It was quite something to witness the moment two years later when he was left speechless as the election result was announced.