Emergency proxy

An emergency admission when an abscess developed dangerously left my sister marooned in St John's Hospital.

The family rallied: one brother sent the web address to our dad; dad downloaded and printed off the form; my niece and my mum headed off to get all the details filled in; the form went to my sister to sign; the form was taken to the registration office; the officer at the polling place was contacted; due process was followed; my niece voted in place of her Mum.

Standing outside my polling station, I reflected on what a gift it is to live in a country where a vote can be truly important.