America decides US must set election example

TODAY’S ELECTIONS in the United States are, first and foremost, a matter for the American people as they choose between a bombastic President Donald Trump and the veteran Joe Biden who, if victorious at the age of 77, would become the oldest first- time occupant of the White House.

Yet even the Covid- 19 pandemic, and the highest death toll in the world, did little to restore dignity to the most disorderly presidential campaign yet, one which did nothing to bridge the social divides that have become so entrenched across the US.

And while the outcome will be significant for Britain because of differing stances over Northern Ireland and food standards when it comes to any post- Brexit trade deal, the conduct of today’s election – and counting of ballots – will be viewed even more avidly by the watching world.

The biggest election to be held since so much of the world went into lockdown, an orderly polling day – and no claims of malpractice over the counting of an unprecedented number of postal votes – will send a strong message that America remains a beacon of democracy and that the Covid- 19 pandemic is no barrier to free elections taking place successfully and safely.

But a disputed election – and President Trump has, shamefully, still not given any indication that he will accept the outcome if he fails to command 270 or more votes in the Electoral College – will leave America bereft of respect, authority and credibility if it feels the need to criticise the conduct of subsequent polls in countries which, normally, look to the US to set the right example. Time will tell if it does when today’s votes are counted.