Behind the Scenes at Rishi Sunak’s Election Night Drama

It’s 4:54 am, and the former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is leaving the election count in the back seat of a grey Land Rover. Just behind me, draped in gold, four gospel singers sing ‘Goodbye Rishi, goodbye’ in perfect harmony to the ‘Ten German Bombers’ melody. How fitting.

Several hours before this moment, I arrive at Northallerton on the train to an overcast and windy stir. Despite the weather, the town feels as cosy and welcoming as Northern towns come.

I’ve traveled to Rishi Sunak‘s constituency on 4 July for election night, where rumors Sunak will be ousted from his seat are rife.

After dropping my bags at the 4-star rated Golden Lion Hotel, my first stop is the nearest polling station. Upon my arrival, around 15 old and young stood in line waiting to cast their vote.

By 7:30 pm, I made my way just over two miles from the center to the Wellington Heifer, a cozy 18th-century Inn, which happens to be Rishi’s local pub.

Steak and chips with peppercorn sauce go down nicely setting up my return to the town center. I chat to the landlord Rob, asking how he predicts the evening will go; he is quick to tell me no matter the results, ‘Rishi always has a seat at the Wellington.’

From the Heifer, I find myself at the Northallerton Leisure Centre, where the vote count will take place.

The exit poll emerges as it seems the Conservatives are on course for a difficult night. But, in a discussion with my taxi driver, he tells me he is ‘certain’ Rishi won’t lose his seat.

Others seem less sure, with tensions high at the leisure center as we gather outside.

Among those who seem perhaps most excited about the results is Sir Archibald Stanton, the candidate for the constituency’s Monster Raving Loony Party.

I bump into him back in the town center at The Buck Inn, whilst biding my time as the votes are being counted.

He is dressed in a red suit and top hat which is covered with black bats. To his left, a life-size stuffed tiger, his right, Gilly, a ventriloquist puppet and ‘our next party leader,’ Archibald explained.

The exit poll result is ‘no surprise’ to him. It’s now just before 4 am, and the landslide victory for the Labour Party is starting to form when two grey Range Rovers edge around the corner and head for the leisure center.

It’s Rishi. ‘We are witnessing history,’ says one security guard.

Around 45 minutes later, to some surprise in the room, it is announced Rishi has kept his seat.

A collective gasp escapes from the security guards and two police officers who join us as we huddle around a phone watching the broadcast live.

The two Range Rovers emerge from the car park seating Rishi who remains leader of this area of Northallerton, but no longer of the United Kingdom.

It is a quick retreat for the other invitation holders who have watched the results and counted live. They have had enough, and so have I.