[Stooky Bill]

Still feels strange they went to all the effort of turning Elstree D into an election hub, and then only used it for a grand total of 2 general elections (and the 2014 Euros).

Studio D wasn't the 'hub', they used various rooms near the studio.

Most of what made up the 'hub' was set up for the elections themselves, basically extra computers and desks. Although quite a lot of connectivity was put in to the site for them (some of which has been used for other productions such as Children in Need.

I think it did the last three general elections (2015,17,19) the EU referendum, EU elections? (two of those, 2014 and 2019?).... and some locals?

On at least one occasion it was used as an election hub despite the actual programme coming from BH

[m_in_m]

Studio D wasn't the 'hub', they used various rooms near the studio.

Most of what made up the 'hub' was set up for the elections themselves, basically extra computers and desks. Although quite a lot of connectivity was put in to the site for them (some of which has been used for other productions such as Children in Need.

I think it did the last three general elections (2015,17,19) the EU referendum, EU elections? (two of those, 2014 and 2019?).... and some locals?

On at least one occasion it was used as an election hub despite the actual programme coming from BH

I'd certainly say given the volume of elections we had during that period it was well used.

[aaron_scotland]

Well, no. The benefit of a hex map is the constituencies are all the same shape. There’s the same number, so nothing new would be needed.

Same number of seats yes but there are changes, Isle of Wight for example has been split into two

[steve]

Same number of seats yes but there are changes, Isle of Wight for example has been split into two

Yes so you move a hexagon around to create an island of two hexagons… doesn’t need anything new creating. That’s the benefit of a map like that.

[Stooky Bill]

Same number of seats yes but there are changes, Isle of Wight for example has been split into two

Yes the idea is for constituencies to have a similar number of people living in them. Many many years ago changing populations led to 'rotten boroughs' where some MPs had very few, if any constituents. So boundaries are shifted every so often.

Lots this time round as there's been a big boundary review. It was originally planned to be reviewed around 2013-2016 but the more frequent elections in 2015,17 and 19 meant it didn't happen. One proposal then was to reduce the Commons to 600 seats

For this election 90% of constituencies have changed in some way. Most are slightly different with a ward or two being moved between them. Lots have been renamed to reflect their changed geography.

It does mean that some statistical comparisons between 2019 and 2024 won't be that accurate as they have changed. It also means that in a few cases there are incumbent MPs standing against each other

[James2001]

Many many years ago changing populations led to 'rotten boroughs' where some MPs had very few, if any constituents.

Dunny On The Wold is a famous one

[JMT1985]

Interesting set design. Make it look like a church so they might feel more compelled to give truthful answers?

It wasn't meant to look like a church - the On the Record set was designed to look like the inside the Elizabeth Tower where Big Ben is at, and so that design was kept for the debate.

[Ash101]

Every time Nigel Farage is interviewed, or spoken about, they display the full list of candidates standing in Clacton. I’ve seen it on Newsnight, GMB, Laura K etc.

I understand this is within Ofcom guidelines about how election coverage is done. But how come it never happens when Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer are interviewed?

[Steve in Pudsey]

At a guess it's because some reference is made to him standing in Clacton, which makes it at least in part an interview about the constituency. Sunak and Starmer's constituencies are rarely mentioned.

[chris]

Also if he’s interviewed in Clacton.