As a British expat, I am following the news about the forthcoming general election in the UK, although having failed to register for a postal vote, I will be unable to influence the result. Also after nearly 3 years in Qatar, I feel distanced from the politics of my home country. It’s not that I don’t care, but that it it no longer directly impinges on my life anymore.

At the same time in Qatar there are municipal elections. So if you’ve wondered what the signs are at traffic intersections or by the roadside, they’re for candidates announcing that they are standing for election. Clearly the candidate (right) should have made his sign bigger to compete with his rivals.