Politics returns to normal after the summer hols:
The Norwich Conservatives have highlighted a blunder by City Hall that means every house in the City has been asked to register for an election that occurred months ago.
The letter – headed “Important Information” in bold red type – is enclosed with the voter registration form and tells people that if they register “you will then be eligible to vote at the City Council elections in May 05.”
Conservative spokesman Antony Little said the mistake was careless. “Not only has this election passed but the vote in 2005 was for the County Council,” he said. “It is clear that they meant to say “May 06” but such a simple blunder suggests that careful checks are not being made at City Hall.”
“Or maybe it is our political leadership at City Hall that doesn’t know what year it is.”
“This mistake makes City Hall look foolish to every voter in Norwich. At a time when public confidence in the Norwich LibDems is at an all-time low this will have done nothing to boost voter turnout.”
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Well, I think I've just about recovered from that! I'll be back to blogging soon, so in the meantime check out the new website from the Norwich Conservatives.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Well, a dry a tear from my eye as the campaign comes to a conclusion. We finished off with a flying visit from Michael Howard – and boy was he in fighting form! – and then we took teams out to West Earlham, University, Nelson and Wensum. I wanted to finish the campaign where we had started it, the areas that need a Conservative government to start acting on the things that matter. Today I have been inundated with messages of support and good wishes – all university friends, family and colleagues. A few may even vote for me!
It’s been a fantastic campaign all in all and I have been so well supported and met so many people, all of whom want Norwich to be the best place it can be. To my regulars, especially the other politico’s who read this blog, is thank you and good luck.
Oh, and I should say: Vote Little!
It’s been a fantastic campaign all in all and I have been so well supported and met so many people, all of whom want Norwich to be the best place it can be. To my regulars, especially the other politico’s who read this blog, is thank you and good luck.
Oh, and I should say: Vote Little!
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Today has been a frantic last minute dash to get everything done and I think we managed it. Tellers are in place, leaflets printed and people ready to go. The last day of real-time campaigning always feels slightly odd, and tonight’s leafleting and canvassing session felt a bit strange, knowing next time we’re doing it to get out the vote. Still, across the constituency today, in Eaton, Town Close, Nelson, Cringleford and University, people were coming across to us. In an election where tonight we got two new members from people on the streets, anything could happen.
People often ask me for my prediction – unlike the LibDems I don’t make predictions. Today I spoke to a gentleman outraged by the LibDem tactics. He said that whilst the opposition claim a two-horse race, in reality the voters decide who wins. “It could be the ruddy Revolutionary Workers for all they [the LibDems] know, people could vote for anybody,” he said.
Also today I have had a real variety of issues on the phones – from the lack of quality broadcasting on the BBC to immigration and from banning fireworks to my views on abortion. At least this election, I have to say unlike 2001, is a getting people interested. I also had excellent feedback on my column in today’s Evening News.
Tomorrow is our first GOTV day, so look out for big Blue teams on the streets!
People often ask me for my prediction – unlike the LibDems I don’t make predictions. Today I spoke to a gentleman outraged by the LibDem tactics. He said that whilst the opposition claim a two-horse race, in reality the voters decide who wins. “It could be the ruddy Revolutionary Workers for all they [the LibDems] know, people could vote for anybody,” he said.
Also today I have had a real variety of issues on the phones – from the lack of quality broadcasting on the BBC to immigration and from banning fireworks to my views on abortion. At least this election, I have to say unlike 2001, is a getting people interested. I also had excellent feedback on my column in today’s Evening News.
Tomorrow is our first GOTV day, so look out for big Blue teams on the streets!
Today has been a frantic last minute dash to get everything done and I think we managed it. Tellers are in place, leaflets printed and people ready to go. The last day of real-time campaigning always feels slightly odd, and tonight’s leafleting and canvassing session felt a bit strange, knowing next time we’re doing it to get out the vote. Still, across the constituency today, in Eaton, Town Close, Nelson, Cringleford and University, people were coming across to us. In an election where tonight we got two new members from people on the streets, anything could happen.
People often ask me for my prediction – unlike the LibDems I don’t make predictions. Today I spoke to a gentleman outraged by the LibDem tactics. He said that whilst the opposition claim a two-horse race, in reality the voters decide who wins. “It could be the ruddy Revolutionary Workers for all they [the LibDems] know, people could vote for anybody,” he said.
Also today I have had a real variety of issues on the phones – from the lack of quality broadcasting on the BBC to immigration and from banning fireworks to my views on abortion. At least this election, I have to say unlike 2001, is a getting people interested. I also had excellent feedback on my column in today’s Evening News.
Tomorrow is our first GOTV day, so look out for big Blue teams on the streets!
People often ask me for my prediction – unlike the LibDems I don’t make predictions. Today I spoke to a gentleman outraged by the LibDem tactics. He said that whilst the opposition claim a two-horse race, in reality the voters decide who wins. “It could be the ruddy Revolutionary Workers for all they [the LibDems] know, people could vote for anybody,” he said.
Also today I have had a real variety of issues on the phones – from the lack of quality broadcasting on the BBC to immigration and from banning fireworks to my views on abortion. At least this election, I have to say unlike 2001, is a getting people interested. I also had excellent feedback on my column in today’s Evening News.
Tomorrow is our first GOTV day, so look out for big Blue teams on the streets!
Today has been a frantic last minute dash to get everything done and I think we managed it. Tellers are in place, leaflets printed and people ready to go. The last day of real-time campaigning always feels slightly odd, and tonight’s leafleting and canvassing session felt a bit strange, knowing next time we’re doing it to get out the vote. Still, across the constituency today, in Eaton, Town Close, Nelson, Cringleford and University, people were coming across to us. In an election where tonight we got two new members from people on the streets, anything could happen.
People often ask me for my prediction – unlike the LibDems I don’t make predictions. Today I spoke to a gentleman outraged by the LibDem tactics. He said that whilst the opposition claim a two-horse race, in reality the voters decide who wins. “It could be the ruddy Revolutionary Workers for all they [the LibDems] know, people could vote for anybody,” he said.
Also today I have had a real variety of issues on the phones – from the lack of quality broadcasting on the BBC to immigration and from banning fireworks to my views on abortion. At least this election, I have to say unlike 2001, is a getting people interested. I also had excellent feedback on my column in today’s Evening News.
Tomorrow is our first GOTV day, so look out for big Blue teams on the streets!
People often ask me for my prediction – unlike the LibDems I don’t make predictions. Today I spoke to a gentleman outraged by the LibDem tactics. He said that whilst the opposition claim a two-horse race, in reality the voters decide who wins. “It could be the ruddy Revolutionary Workers for all they [the LibDems] know, people could vote for anybody,” he said.
Also today I have had a real variety of issues on the phones – from the lack of quality broadcasting on the BBC to immigration and from banning fireworks to my views on abortion. At least this election, I have to say unlike 2001, is a getting people interested. I also had excellent feedback on my column in today’s Evening News.
Tomorrow is our first GOTV day, so look out for big Blue teams on the streets!
Monday, May 02, 2005
Back home from one of my now regular day-trips to Bowthorpe and what a day its been – we’ve covered the whole area with our newspaper and had to stop for chats along the way. Bowthorpe is becoming a really interesting place where the current Tory agenda – school discipline, value for money tax, controlled immigration, more police and cleaner hospitals – is really going down well. Had one chap declare very loudly out of a top window that he was never voting for “liar” Blair again, and would support me to get rid of him! Fine chap!
Yesterday (was that Sunday?!? It all blurs) was spent in New Costessey and Saturday before that in Eaton, Cringleford and Town Close. We’ve met so many people in this election, so many more than in the recent past. I’m getting recognised a lot at the moment – the lady serving in Tesco’s is voting for me, as is a Mum on the schoolgate on Friday.
Doing quite a bit of media work at the moment, particularly for the Radio. Good slots of Radio Norfolk talking about manufacturing decline in Norwich and for Broadland on crime.
The national campaign is getting me down at the moment. I think Howard is spot on to move back to the big 5 (see above) at this juncture, and Kennedy is looking like a complete opportunist by sticking to Iraq. Blair is just looking tired at the moment. I think most people are, in general, getting just a little bored of the national stuff.
Locally too we are dragging it out a bit. This week one lady complained that 5 pieces of Tory literature fell through her door. Well, the LibDems have made this seat a literature battle and has lost methinks! Last week was also the debates – I felt that churches together event went down very well and Clarke, whom I am reluctantly gaining respect for, did rather badly over Iraq. On Friday we went to the UEA where the other three parties bussed in their crowds. Bit more challenging, but with eight candidates causing the whole event to drag out, it was a bit long. Adrian Ramsay is a very passionate speaker, but doesn’t seem to be able to take the passion about the environment and apply it to other topics. My LibDem opponent is very robotic – he only seems to have three standard answers to any questions, don’t invade Iraq, scrap tuition fees or tactical voting. Bless. He even tried those on topics that had nothing to do with them! Charles Clarke is, of course, highly competent and very on top of his brief. Pity he won’t be around much longer. Mr Barnard and the UKIP candidate deserve praise for getting cannabis and Europe into every answer, the WRP candidate wasn’t half as revolutionary as I’d have liked and the EDP lady should really have been a Tory! Several people in the crowd said they’d switched their vote to me because of my debate performance. One even said she would vote for me because of my honesty!
I’m going to have a last-week burst of LibDem negativity watch – I have so many e-mails to choose from! But today I’m going to mention a phone call from a lady in Nelson Ward, who has pulled apart the LibDem Bar Charts apart and a letter from a gentleman in Thorpe Hamlet that includes a letter from Charles Kennedy that is full of anti-Tory and anti-Labour stuff. Interestingly enough, I noticed that the LibDem response to today’s Tory timetable was to call it negative. Hang on, if stating policies is negative then what counts as positive? Oh, anything a LibDem says…
Tomorrow we’re back in Bowthorpe for canvassing in the morning and then launching our get-out-the-vote leaflet in the afternoon.
Yesterday (was that Sunday?!? It all blurs) was spent in New Costessey and Saturday before that in Eaton, Cringleford and Town Close. We’ve met so many people in this election, so many more than in the recent past. I’m getting recognised a lot at the moment – the lady serving in Tesco’s is voting for me, as is a Mum on the schoolgate on Friday.
Doing quite a bit of media work at the moment, particularly for the Radio. Good slots of Radio Norfolk talking about manufacturing decline in Norwich and for Broadland on crime.
The national campaign is getting me down at the moment. I think Howard is spot on to move back to the big 5 (see above) at this juncture, and Kennedy is looking like a complete opportunist by sticking to Iraq. Blair is just looking tired at the moment. I think most people are, in general, getting just a little bored of the national stuff.
Locally too we are dragging it out a bit. This week one lady complained that 5 pieces of Tory literature fell through her door. Well, the LibDems have made this seat a literature battle and has lost methinks! Last week was also the debates – I felt that churches together event went down very well and Clarke, whom I am reluctantly gaining respect for, did rather badly over Iraq. On Friday we went to the UEA where the other three parties bussed in their crowds. Bit more challenging, but with eight candidates causing the whole event to drag out, it was a bit long. Adrian Ramsay is a very passionate speaker, but doesn’t seem to be able to take the passion about the environment and apply it to other topics. My LibDem opponent is very robotic – he only seems to have three standard answers to any questions, don’t invade Iraq, scrap tuition fees or tactical voting. Bless. He even tried those on topics that had nothing to do with them! Charles Clarke is, of course, highly competent and very on top of his brief. Pity he won’t be around much longer. Mr Barnard and the UKIP candidate deserve praise for getting cannabis and Europe into every answer, the WRP candidate wasn’t half as revolutionary as I’d have liked and the EDP lady should really have been a Tory! Several people in the crowd said they’d switched their vote to me because of my debate performance. One even said she would vote for me because of my honesty!
I’m going to have a last-week burst of LibDem negativity watch – I have so many e-mails to choose from! But today I’m going to mention a phone call from a lady in Nelson Ward, who has pulled apart the LibDem Bar Charts apart and a letter from a gentleman in Thorpe Hamlet that includes a letter from Charles Kennedy that is full of anti-Tory and anti-Labour stuff. Interestingly enough, I noticed that the LibDem response to today’s Tory timetable was to call it negative. Hang on, if stating policies is negative then what counts as positive? Oh, anything a LibDem says…
Tomorrow we’re back in Bowthorpe for canvassing in the morning and then launching our get-out-the-vote leaflet in the afternoon.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
A little something to muse on...
Our vote on Thursday is about who will make Britain, and Norwich, better; about who will provide more police, cleaner hospitals, lower tax and discipline in schools. It’s also about who will be our next local MP.
If you vote Conservative, you’ll have a government that will treat senior citizens with respect, put more police on the beat, put Matron back in charge to clean up hospitals, allow Headteachers to tackle disruptive pupils and believes in value-for-money.
If you vote for me, you’ll have a local MP. I live in the City Centre, am married with a young family and teach at Notre Dame High School. I believe an area is best represented by somebody who is part of the community.
If you vote for me, you’ll have an active MP. I have been campaigning on issues that matter to people - against mobile phone masts, putting more police on the beat, freeing up our City roads, cleaning up St. Stephen’s underpass and for better recycling in Norwich. I have also worked with the community campaign to save Ellacombe Care Home.
If you vote for me, you’ll have an in-touch MP. I always keep in contact through my website, regular leaflets and on-line diary.
On the doorstep, people tell me that they are fed up with Charles Clarke and don’t believe that the LibDem candidate, who lives in Suffolk, can win. Please, use your vote to make the difference. I believe I can be the MP that Norwich South deserves.
Our vote on Thursday is about who will make Britain, and Norwich, better; about who will provide more police, cleaner hospitals, lower tax and discipline in schools. It’s also about who will be our next local MP.
If you vote Conservative, you’ll have a government that will treat senior citizens with respect, put more police on the beat, put Matron back in charge to clean up hospitals, allow Headteachers to tackle disruptive pupils and believes in value-for-money.
If you vote for me, you’ll have a local MP. I live in the City Centre, am married with a young family and teach at Notre Dame High School. I believe an area is best represented by somebody who is part of the community.
If you vote for me, you’ll have an active MP. I have been campaigning on issues that matter to people - against mobile phone masts, putting more police on the beat, freeing up our City roads, cleaning up St. Stephen’s underpass and for better recycling in Norwich. I have also worked with the community campaign to save Ellacombe Care Home.
If you vote for me, you’ll have an in-touch MP. I always keep in contact through my website, regular leaflets and on-line diary.
On the doorstep, people tell me that they are fed up with Charles Clarke and don’t believe that the LibDem candidate, who lives in Suffolk, can win. Please, use your vote to make the difference. I believe I can be the MP that Norwich South deserves.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
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!
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!
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
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!
”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, April 16, 2005
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?!?
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?!?
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
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!
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!
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
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.
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.
Monday, April 11, 2005
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.
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.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
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.”
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!
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!
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