Winter election: What difference does it make?

[LeftishBrit]

11. It is likely to make a difference to turnout

People are less likely to get out if it's cold and wet and dark, and especially if they have to battle through snow and ice. The research on association between weather and voting is not terribly relevant here, because there hasn't been a midwinter election in most people's lifetimes. The difference between a sunny June day and a drizzly October day is much less than the difference between either of these and an icy December day when it becomes dark in mid-afternoon.

Moreover, not only may Christmas events cause there to be No Room at the... Usual Polling Station; the ever-more-stressful preparations for Christmas are likely to preoccupy many voters and put voting to the back of their minds.

Also, the timing will disperse students and may make it more difficult for them to vote (they may have registered at uni, but not in their home area yet) and certainly to make their votes count as blocs in particular constituencies (mine for instance). I would not be surprised if this was in Boris' mind when he suggested that date. If so, he neglected to note that icy weather will also make voting more difficult for elderly people, who tend to vote Tory.