Before the business of who makes it into Number 10 takes centre stage, the most exciting race on election night is between Newcastle and Sunderland to see who can declare first.
Scenes in Sunderland as constituencies race to be the first to declare results https://t.co/YMVJP13SGk #bbcelection #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/0FDFtocMf6
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 8, 2017
That fight has been all Sunderland in recent years – they had come out on top in the previous six general elections – but this time around it was Newcastle that came out on top.Newcastle City Council declared the first winner, with Labour candidate Chi Onwurah winning the seat of Newcastle Central at 11pm.
#Breaking Newcastle Central beat Sunderland to become first seat to declare at 11pm, with Labour candidate Chi Onwurah winning
— Press Association (@PA) June 8, 2017
For those whose interests include the football pitch as well as the ballot box, it was a familiar sounding result.
Newcastle have swapped places with Sunderland for the second time in a month.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 8, 2017
Sunderland’s football team were relegated from the Premier League to the Championship this season, while Newcastle went the other way.
Sunderland also relegated as count to declare first.Newcastle promoted
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) June 8, 2017
Newcastle declaring first and beating Sunderland reminds me of when Newcastle United were promoted and Sunderland were relegated.
— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) June 8, 2017
Newcastle won over Sunderland! Well, what a good feeling. Loong time no seen, ey? #NUFC
— #NUFC Portal (@NufcPortal) June 8, 2017
Of course, for both cities it seems the vote counters could teach the football teams a thing or two.
If Newcastle or Sunderland played football like they count an election ballot they'd be in the Champions League #ge2017
— Suzy Quiquero ?? (@suzyquiquero) June 8, 2017
Whoever the winner, though, lots of people just enjoyed the farce of the battle.
Newcastle/Sunderland is basically it's a knock out, with ballot boxes
— Jay Rayner (@jayrayner1) June 8, 2017
I thought it was a general election. Sunderland and Newcastle appear to think it's a round of It's A Knockout.
— Derren Litten (@DerrenLitten) June 8, 2017
Always quite like the way Newcastle & Sunderland turn the first hour of election coverage into a revival of 'It's a Knockout'
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) June 8, 2017
