A TROOP of Brownies from Chineham voted in favour of local democracy when they visited Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Civic Offices for a mock election.

Members from the 2nd Chineham Brownies visited the council chamber to find out more about Britain’s election process and earn their challenge badge, which celebrates 100 years of a number of women getting the right to vote. 

The borough council’s election team set up a mock election for the group of 24 girls to vote on the proposal that ‘parents should decide on their child’s bedtime’ to demonstrate first hand the voting process.

The chamber was transformed into a polling station and some Brownies took on the election team’s roles to monitor the vote.

Everybody got the chance to cast a vote and elections manager Jack Grounds acted as returning officer, after the count, to announce that the motion had been defeated – not surprisingly, with 19 ‘No’ votes to 13 in favour.

Mr Grounds also took time to talk to the Brownies about the Women’s Suffrage Movement and notable female political figures – from suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst to British prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May.

Mr Grounds said: “The election team was delighted to welcome the Brownies into the council chamber to understand what voting was all about and take part in the democratic process.”

Supported by election team assistants David Lloyd and Emma Hayton. Mr Grounds explained the importance of young people learning about the voting system.

He added: “It’s so important for young people to learn how women in the 1800s and early 1900s campaigned so hard for their right to be heard – and gave women a voice in the political arena.

“The Brownies were very enthusiastic and enjoyed taking part – they certainly earned their badges but I don’t know if their parents would agree with the mock election result about bedtime.”

In addition to the mock election, the Brownies also visited the polling station at Chineham Village Hall during the May elections, studied the history of the suffragettes, made posters, rosettes and decorated 'Women Rocks' and hosted a celebratory tea party for parents, Basingstoke MP Maria Miller and borough councillor for Chineham and Hampshire County Council chair Cllr Elaine Still.