Well I’ve failed to make my pledge to blog each day (hey, but unlike Blair, at least I can admit a failing!). Thankfully it isn’t a resigning issue!

At least I have a good excuse – in the last week we have shifted an incredible amount of literature as postal votes start to go out. Last week I had Shadow Minister for Young People Charles Hendry and former Education Secretary Gillian Shepherd both swoop in to support my campaign. Saturday was amazing – so many helper we ran out (yes, ran out!) of leaflets. Our campaign is becoming very targeted and, luckily we now have a round of newspapers to deliver! It is crazy now, just a week or so before the poll. I am still amazed at the number of people getting involved – either through asking questions or wanting to help. Posters are up around the place, the Newmarket Road looks very blue but so too are the back streets. Who could imagine a campaign where Tuckswood and West Earlham – not traditional Tory heartlands – would have “Vote Conservative” posters up? Don’t believe a word the opinion polls say, this one’s gonna be close!

Today I am shackled to the whiteboard at work, followed by an evening on the doorsteps. Tomorrow we have a senior shadow cabinet member coming, a senior board member on Thursday and two debates at the end of the week!

Quiz of the Day: Which LibDem Councillor in Norwich admits that she hasn’t decided who to vote for in the general election and can’t agree with LibDem policies on crime, tax or Europe? Answers on a postcard please…

I have decided that being a Tory teacher is like being part of a secret society – a colleague whom I never thought would vote for us came up today to enquire about the year group, Emily and the campaign … then came a wink and she said “I hope we do well!”

Last night was another good night – we had a campaign launch in Thorpe Hamlet under the watchful eye of our candidate and association chairman Trevor Ivory. We descended mob handed upon the area and got a really good response. One young lady, who recently had a child had this to say to me:

”I have always voted LibDem because you don’t have to put any thought into it. Since I’ve been off with my baby I’ve watched most of the election coverage live. I saw the LibDem manifesto launch and it scared me. We’re both now voting Conservative.”

There’s been quite a massive shift in Thorpe Hamlet, a few LibDem switchers to Labour and a few to us. Rather more disgruntled Labour voters saying they won’t vote at all and a good chunk of Labour voters switching directly to the Conservatives. Issues raised on the doorstep included Kyoto, fox hunting and immigration.

Can’t believe the polls at the moment – I know I’m a Tory candidate but the feeling on the ground is much better. Poor Kennedy (for whom, as fellow first time fathers I have some limited sympathy) got a real roasting on Newsnight last night. Poor chap, so apparently a nurse married to a fireman is worse off under the LibDems. Nice to know.

Later today I am off to the UEA to meet Shadow Minister Charles Hendry coming to launch our latest poster and university funding policies. Then, after a meeting at school, we are canvassing in Bowthorpe. The new “Vote Little” posters are springing up at the moment, not least on my garden gate!

Saturday is catch-up time for school work, political work and home work! The last few days have been a blur.

On Thursday I felt like a bit of a political fraud, jumping from political event to political event. That morning I was at school, but out by 2 to meet Shadow International Development Secretary Alan Duncan for a walk-a-bout in Norwich City Centre. There were some rather long dwindling shots of me on BBCs Look East and there has been divided thoughts between those who think I look young and energetic and those who thought I looked a bit simple! We were lucky to stay rain free for Alan but I wasn’t quire so lucky when I went to Hellesdon Hospital to lodge a massive petition with the NHS mental Health Trust against the closure of Ellacombe Care Home in Thorpe Hamlet. We had to stand in the rain after health care bosses failed to show to accept the petition – I can’t believe they think so little of the campaign that nobody in the whole trust could meet us. The Evening News ran an excellent front-page version of the story the day after. From Hellesdon it was over to my team canvassing in Mancroft Ward, and the delight when one voter offered me a campaign donation on the doorstep! I then had to shoot off to the Methodist Church on Chapelfield to attend, along with Charles Clarke, the Make Poverty History (MPH) campaign rally for Norwich. A great evening and a big surprise to find a cohort of my sixth formers involved! Day over, tired but happy.

Friday was less exciting; school all day (a whole four periods!) then out with my team in Town Close Ward, along the Ipswich Road. What was interesting is the fact that very few people are (politically) moving in this area. If the LibDems think they can plough Tory votes in this area, they are very much mistaken. The only real change we detected were the number of non-voters in 2001 moving back to the Tories.

Today was an all-day campaigning session in Eaton Village and we welcomed our Area Chairman to the doorsteps. A fantastic response from around the village, new members and new poster sites too! It was a good day but soured by the first person to be totally and unacceptably rude towards me – I have to say, a LibDem voter. I am fairly thick skinned (teacher and Tory politician!) but there is a line to be drawn between political analysis and just abuse. There was quite a strong Labour vote here, but we were far and away in the majority.

I haven’t been able to see the party election broadcasts this week so far, but Trevor has passed me a DVD of our cinema advert to watch to fill the gap! Labour are slinging a lot of mud at the moment about negative campaigning – have they not been looking at their own campaign?!?

We’ve had the best day’s campaigning for a long time today. School went well, there seems to be as much interest in the general election as there is in the Head Student election! I even managed a sneaky pop home to check on Emily today – she’s not been sleeping during the day at the moment (although is sleeping at night!) and we’re doing the whole new-parent-paranoia at the moment. I had a phone call this afternoon from a lady furious because apparently a LibDem canvassed her and told her that the Tories lost their deposit at the last election! I laughed – she then looked it up on the BBC website and was outraged at that lie.

I will make a rare entry here praising the EDP for their constituency profile of Norwich South today – at last quite rightly pointing out that the Tories are second and that the LibDem is making his third attempt to not come third!

Spent the afternoon preparing for tomorrow’s visits – we have Alan Duncan coming early afternoon and then I’m off with Rita Stevens to present the Ellacombe petition in the late afternoon.

We soon hit the streets of Lakenham and what a canvass! I knew the area was going to be good for us but to get three new members, a deliverer and a helper on polling day in one session is going great guns. Loads of support, one chap switching to us from Labour over immigration, another lady moving LibDem to Conservative because she’s impressed with Howard’s stand over school discipline. Very little mention of today’s Labour manifesto launch. You’ve made a big impression then, Tony!

Today has felt like a real school day – teaching nearly all day and then year 10 parents evening tonight. It hasn’t left much in the way of campaigning time, although we received requests for posters for a couple more people and took receipt of our next newsletter. We hit the trail again tomorrow with a campaign session in Mancroft and then Lakenham in the evening!

I have just heard that Joan Donald, the President of the Uxbridge Conservatives, passed away yesterday. Joan was a remarkable woman in all senses and was my political mentor in the early years. She had a wicked sense of humour and such a passion for life, travelling extensively and more often than not putting her friends and family first. She was utterly dedicated to the Conservative cause and put the party way before her own needs, never seeking office but always being the first out with bundles of leaflets or canvass cards. When I marched into the Uxbridge Tory office in January 1995 to join up, Joan was the first person I met. She whipped my subscription money off me and within half an hour I was a member of the Ickenham Committee, such was her drive and commitment. We really got on well – Joan took a deep interest in my personal as well as political life. Always corresponding, the last time I really spoke at length to Joan was at my wedding – she was so proud. I remember the thrill in her voice when I said that I’d been selected as a PPC. She really believed that I could be a good MP. It didn’t matter what you did or how you acted, Joan always had time for you. She also had time for Talking Books, the Wrens and her countless friends around the country.

Joan fought for her country and fought for her party. She drank, smoked, laughed and danced her way through life. She lived to a grand old age and enjoyed every moment of it. We’ll all miss her enormously.

Today was the day that reality hit home – and there weren’t even any children in school! The whole (working) day was spent on GCSE coursework moderation and cleaning out my desk in preparation for the new term. Many people, including my colleagues, expressed surprise that I didn’t have more time off – but they don’t realise that with my number of exam classes more than just the voters of Norwich South rely on me!

This evening has to have been my favourite canvassing session for a long time – we were doing roads off Bluebell Road and also Earlham Road. We found lots of staunch Tories cheered to have visits. I know I shouldn’t be pleased, but there are also a lot of LibDem to Labour switchers, and as this is Roy Blower County he should be proud of what he has achieved. People certainly hold him in higher regard than the LibDem Councillors (though, of course, our very own Tom Holland would do a better job even than Blower!) I got the chance to have a few really good in depth discussion with people tonight – focusing in on tax and education. You know you make a difference when one non-voter and one ex-LibDem come away pledging their support. My favourite comment of the night: “My family and I haven’t had a political thought between us since 1983 – so obviously we’re voting LibDem.”

Whilst we were busy putting up posters today (got more sights whilst out canvassing!) the national campaign got into full swing with the publication of our manifesto. It is good to see all of our policy work being bought together in a very slim document – small manifesto, small government perhaps.

Why vote Conservative – cleaner hospitals, school discipline, lower tax, more police, controlled immigration. It’s getting clearer by the day.

LibDem Negativity Watch – Part II

Well, I have to say that this entry comes by popular demand. It has received 5 e-mail nominations, not all from budding Tories either. I am going to handover now to “SJ”, who starts his/her e-mail by saying that she is voting Green after years of being LibDem, turned off by their negative campaigning. In her own words…

“The newspaper put out by the LibDems contains more than just negative words about the Tories. As a Green voter you get used, now, to regular negative comment from the LibDems. Take, for example, the story “Greens demand economic disaster for Norwich” in the same newspaper. I didn’t even get to read the story for the mist of fury rose before I got to that point. The Greens have never demanded an economic disaster; they simply have a point of view. At no point has Adrian Ramsay, or any other Green Councillor, lept to their feet in the council chamber and shouted “I want an economic disaster – now”. You don’t see greens lining the streets shouting, “What do we want? Economic disaster! When do we want it? Now!” You are right to point out the negative tactics of the LibDems, but don’t for a minute believe they are all aimed at the Tories.”

The first weekend of campaigning has been an interesting one, although I do fear that interest in politics fell to an all-time low. Friday morning I feel honoured to have been able to watch the funeral of Pope John Paul II – truly we must be grateful to live in a world of instant communications. That afternoon I spent most of the time going through correspondence, writing letters and the like whilst my team made a start on the poster campaign.

Saturday was a big day, spending the morning in New Costessey going door to door and the afternoon we split up to cover both Chapel Break and Clover Hill in Bowthorpe. The reception was excellent – one chap even leaning out of his window to shout support as we went down the street. I met one young lady who took time out of gardening to share her feeling of let down by Labour – eight years, she said, and we’re going backwards. Another vote there! Sunday meant a lie-in (!) and some time with Emily following leafleting in Bowthorpe and Eaton – although leafleting in the sunshine is more like canvassing given the number of people you meet! A great reception, even those non-Tories were happy to see the candidate out and about. Only one very rude person – an out-and-out LibDem at that. Still, outweighed by getting a new leafleter and poster site. This evening, family dinner and Bremner!

Due to a problem yesterday with either blogger.com or my computer, this post is a few hours late…

Another day out campaigning – going from one end of the City to the other! This morning was mainly spent in the campaign office, signing off election material, replying to the e-mails and letters I get and overseeing the last big mailing of the pre-campaign (yes, despite the hype parliament hasn’t yet dissolved for the election!).

Over lunchtime I got to spend some precious time with baby Emily whilst Louise hit the shops. She was awake the whole time and getting really alert. Even our very own Cllr Collishaw fell for her!

This afternoon began with a five-hour (yes, count ‘em!) delivery and canvass session in the St. Giles area of the City Centre. Ever since the boundary changed people assumed that Mancroft became unwinable for the Tories – not a bit of it judging by today’s reception!

Then, after another hour or so dealing with correspondence, it was out again to New Costessey. Despite the rain, my team and I managed to hurl ourselves around. Main questions on the doorstep were about crime and immigration. Good day all around.

Being a candidate I must admit taking less time to look at the national campaign. The BBC Website and Newsnight are as about as far as I get at the moment, although I do find Michael Crick to be very bias! Today’s posters from Labour were interesting. One gentleman told me on the doorstep that if asked who should run the country, he’d answer Michael Howard without hesitation!

As for the LibDems, another day, another barrage of spending commitments. I wonder if it is the knowledge that they’ll never win or just economic incompetence that keeps their spirits up? Nobody can doubt their motives but we all realise that to fulfil their plans you’d have to raise tax even beyond the 40 hikes that they want! A good day for Michael Howard and, after yesterday’s PMQs stormer, a great press too.

Another day out campaigning – going from one end of the City to the other! This morning was mainly spent in the campaign office, signing off election material, replying to the e-mails and letters I get and overseeing the last big mailing of the pre-campaign (yes, despite the hype parliament hasn’t yet dissolved for the election!).

Over lunchtime I got to spend some precious time with baby Emily whilst Louise hit the shops. She was awake the whole time and getting really alert. Even our very own Cllr Collishaw fell for her!

This afternoon began with a five-hour (yes, count ‘em!) delivery and canvass session in the St. Giles area of the City Centre. Ever since the boundary changed people assumed that Mancroft became unwinable for the Tories – not a bit of it judging by today’s reception!

Then, after another hour or so dealing with correspondence, it was out again to New Costessey. Despite the rain, my team and I managed to hurl ourselves around. Main questions on the doorstep were about crime and immigration. Good day all around.

Being a candidate I must admit taking less time to look at the national campaign. The BBC Website and Newsnight are as about as far as I get at the moment, although I do find Michael Crick to be very self-important and just a little hard to stand. Today’s posters from Labour were interesting. One gentleman told me on the doorstep that if asked who should run the country, he’d answer Michael Hoard without hesitation!

As for the LibDems, another day, another barrage of spending commitments. I wonder if it is the knowledge that they’ll never win or just economic incompetence that keeps their spirits up? Nobody can doubt their motives but we all realise that to fulfil their plans you’d have to raise tax even beyond the 40 hikes that they want! A good day for Michael Howard and, after yesterday’s PMQs stormer, a great press too.

Some kind of medal, or a prize at the least, should go to Graham for e-mailing me the first entry in my LibDem Negativity Watch feature.

A rather gripping story from the under whelming “Norwich Mail” – a LibDem propaganda sheet masquerading as a free newspaper. Apparently, they claim, “New Tory policies will wreck our NHS”. The story goes on to say that “New Tory health policies unveiled by Michael Howard would effectively end the NHS”. The story goes on to bash the Tories without a single mention of a LibDem health policy (do they have any?!?). Untrue, negative and designed to scare … LibDem electioneering off to a great start, then!

Are those blisters on my feet so soon?

Well, day two has been as proactive as day one for sure! This morning I spent a few hours in my Campaign Office answering e-mails and letters from local people about policies – issues such as climate change, the Child Support Agency, discipline in schools and pensions were covered. We have also this morning sent out our second campaign e-mail – hoping to do a couple per week during the lead up to polling day.

From there I joined a team out and about in Nelson Ward and enjoyed a couple of hours meeting people in and around Earlham Road. Pleased to get new poster sites and interesting that the LibDem vote really is crumbling – some shifting to us and some going Green. There are a lot of Green posters in Nelson – quite scary.

After lunch it was out again to Town Close Ward going in and around the Unthank Road. I met an old colleague from my former school (who pleasingly is switching from LibDem to me!) and found my way around the system of flats again. Leafleting Winchester Tower bought back memories of when I was helping Geoff Williams in the old St. Stephen’s Ward in 2000 – ah, the good old days!

Several nappies and a brief flick through the Evening News (great article on yesterday’s launch, and interesting to note that even they say the election is between the Tories and Labour) it was then over to New Costessey. The team from South Norfolk are trying really hard to wrench the county seat back and it was great to see them at work!

Robert Sturdy, local MEP, is joining us later in the week too. Now, to bed… earlier than last night but still not great (and now Emily’s crying!)

I notice that the LibDems are bleating on about only being positive in this campaign (yet, as anybody who is involved in politics knows they are the dirtiest fighters in town) and so I know they won't mind me starting a new "LibDem Negativity Watch" feature on this blog, highlighting every negative comment from local Norfolk LibDems. If they are as positive as they claim to be, there shouldn't be too many entries!

It is amazing how many messages of support you get - I have got home to find 26 e-mails from local people and friends wishing me luck. I know you all read this blog so if I don't get time to call between then and now, thank you!

Well, we’re off!

This weekend has been a really busy one with last minute peacetime canvassing – I was in Lower Hellesdon (part of Wensum Ward) on Saturday afternoon and met a group of residents to talk about the junction of Hellesden Mill Lane and Hellesden Road that is causing real problems. Earlier that morning I had a rather pleasant time around the City in the sunshine! We canvassed around the St. Giles area of the City and I met a UKIP convert to the Conservatives. There really is a sea change of opinion, especially towards the LibDems. The more people talk of their policies such as not jailing burglars, raising taxes or joining the Euro, the more support they seem to lose. Funny that!

Sunday we went to an NCT (National Childbirth Trust) lunch at Pizza Express at the forum – real baby overload! I feel sorry for the other diners actually – but all the babes were really well behaved and a minimum of crying! After that it was out delivering my “Being Local Matters” leaflet to Thorpe Hamlet.

Monday was a surprising day, a lot of mixed emotions about the Pope’s death and a time for reflection really.

Then, of course, the worst kept secret in Westminster was today’s announcement of a 5th May poll. This morning we were in Norwich for the launch of our Eastern Region Campaign, led by Transport Spokesman Tim Yeo – himself a Suffolk MP. It was a great event and did a few media interviews. From there it was off to start the delivery of my first leaflet! We had literally dozens of people across Norwich out delivering today – covering I am pleased to say areas in every single ward in the City.

I wanted to start to campaign on the doorsteps, which is exactly what I did, canvassing two large areas of Nelson and then University Ward. People were really shocked to see me so early on in the campaign – ah, I said, the advantage of living in the City! One lady couldn’t believe her eyes having just watched the announcement on the lunchtime news only to find me on the doorstep moments later!

Leafleting next - I was out first in Town Close, with our county candidate John Wyatt, then off to Nelson Ward to almost die of a heart attack leafleting a surprisingly hilly area (who said Norfolk was flat?!?). This evening we were joined by ACD Kate Fuller too, who leaflets faster than anybody I have ever seen! The woman is like Linford Christie!

This evening I managed to watch Hustle, send out 500 e-mails to voters announcing my candidature and update our Norwich South website to the Antony Little Campaign Website.

The people I met on the streets today were all really friendly – the running score was five positive comments, two thumbs-up-from-passing motorists and a “go on my son” shouted from a passing truck versus one rude comment shouted down a street. Not doing badly!