LONDON -- The decision to set June 23 as the date of the UK's referendum on European Union membership didn't take into account one very muddy segment of the voting public: Glastonbury festivalgoers.
The 135,000 or so at the festival might as well be in another country down at Worthy Farm. While they're donning their wellies on the second day of the festival, the fate of the country's future with Europe will be decided.
Not long after Prime Minister David Cameron's announcement, the festival confirmed that there wouldn't be a polling station on site, putting rumours to rest.
It won’t be possible to have an #EUreferendum polling station at Glastonbury 2016. You can register for postal votes https://t.co/N6rF44BKVT— Glastonbury Festival (@GlastoFest) February 20, 2016
Some Twitter users smelled a conspiracy.
Nice one David Cameron, 200,000 People unable to vote as they will be Glastonbury #NiceOneDave #EUreferendum @GlastoFest— Justin Galbraith (@juzzathehut) February 20, 2016
So the #EUreferendum vote is going to be when me and approx 175,000 other people are at Glastonbury Festival. This is a conspiracy surely?!— Helen Jaques (@helenjaques) February 20, 2016
Young people: if you're torn between voting in the #EUreferendum, and going to Glastonbury, please go to Glastonbury. #muppets— Frank Fisher (@frank_fisher) February 20, 2016
Some didn't know where their loyalties lie.
It seems totally ridiculous to have the #EUreferendum over the Glastonbury weekend...— Tom Clark (@TomClarkMusic) February 20, 2016
EU referendum on the first day of Glastonbury with @Adele rumoured headline, big dilemma #Glastonbury #referendum #EUreferendum— Jasper Thompson (@jasper836) February 20, 2016
23 June 2016... voting in #referendum or boarding coach to @GlastoFest #Glastonbury Oooh it's a toughie. #postalvote #Brexit #EUreferendum— Wendy Q (@PixieDustCopy) February 20, 2016
Some wanted to rewrite electoral rules.
@GlastoFest why not?? This would be an amazing way to get the 18-24 cohort who are a low % of voters in action #EUreferendum #Glastonbury— Martha Davis (@marthahelen15) February 20, 2016
There needs to be a polling station set up at #glastonbury for #EUreferendum— Jack Mowatt (@Penguin111193) February 20, 2016
And some weren't interested at all.
Middle class problems - people complaining about the #EUreferendum clashing with Glastonbury— Gill (@Monitorabbit) February 20, 2016
Another notable diary clash is with the Euro 2016 football tournament. English, Welsh and Northern Irish fans could still be in France if their teams progress beyond the group stage of the tournament.