WHETHER or not the Oxford Mail was taking a political stance over the 1983 general election is anyone’s guess, but it had Kevin East, then four, next to his family's bin in Saunders Road, Cowley, holding his polling card.
He had been sent one in error – it was not for another 14 years that he’d be able to vote.
His mum, Rita, was legally able to vote and cast hers in support of the Labour Party.
She was on the losing side, with Conservative Steven Norris winning Oxford East, beating future Labour MP Andrew Smith into second place.
Kevin was not unique in Oxford at that election: polling cards for twins Thomas and Richard Flanagan, 13, and Samantha, six, were also sent to their home in Merlin Road, Blackbird Leys. They arrived with those for their mum and dad.
A spokesman for the city council said the only way the children could have got the cards is if their details had been entered on registration forms sent out in September 1982.
“There is no other way it could happen,” they said.
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