ICE POLLING
General Election vote could be hit by Arctic blast
Snow and sub- zero temperatures could leave thousands of Scottish voters frozen out of the General Election on December 12.
Experts have predicted the country will be trapped in an Arctic bubble of snow and ice for up to 40 days.
Temperatures are expected to plummet to as low as -14C (7F) as a 1100- mile wide weather front envelops the nation and threatens travel disruption on the day of the vote.
There were warnings before the election was called that a December date could leave the elderly and disabled struggling to get to polling stations.
On a visit to Scotland, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn expressed serious concerns in an interview with the Sunday Mail in October.
Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, has encouraged older people to apply for an emergency proxy vote if necessary.
He said: “Many older people, especially in remote areas, may find it difficult to get to their polling station in cold and icy weather.
“Short days and winter weather can make roads and pavements especially treacherous at this time of year, while not everyone has access to reliable public transport.
“This year’s election will have a huge impact on major issues affecting older people from the future of the NHS to free TV licences.
“Older people can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on Election Day if they are prevented from voting by unforeseen circumstances or disability.
“We often hear about the inter-generational divide, with older people being blamed for everything from Brexit to rising house prices. But now is the time to put differences aside and make sure that everyone has a voice on December 12, no matter their age.” Meanwhile, Scotland is expected to be hit with worse-than-normal conditions this morning as the cold air seeps south into the Highlands from Greenland and Norway, says the Weather Company.
The mercury is not likely to rise above -10 (14F) and most areas face highs of just 6C (42.8F) and freezing nights unti l Thursday.