National v.local politics + sore feet
It is very difficult on the doorstep to persuade potential Labour voters that I am not standing in a national election with national issues. I'm just a local candidate, hoping to be elected to a local council. I will deal in broken paving stones, street lights, traffic calming, school standards, ASBO'S, graffiti-removal, recycling and so on. Should I have a large flash card saying so, to display as people open their doors?
Candidates ought to get free weekly pedicures. Delivering leaflets and newsletters and canvassing -all very hard on the feet. I have bought a pedometer just to check how far I actually walk each week. I thought I might lose weight but my appetite seems to increase in direct proportion to the energy expended, so no such luck. It also looks a bit rude to appear in trainers or something else comfortable but wearing my "smart" shoes all the time is taking a toll on my feet.
Candidates ought to get free weekly pedicures. Delivering leaflets and newsletters and canvassing -all very hard on the feet. I have bought a pedometer just to check how far I actually walk each week. I thought I might lose weight but my appetite seems to increase in direct proportion to the energy expended, so no such luck. It also looks a bit rude to appear in trainers or something else comfortable but wearing my "smart" shoes all the time is taking a toll on my feet.
posted by Barbara Portwin at 5:40 PM
6 Comments:
I'm afraid you will have to get used to it.
The last time I stood, many of our supporters said on the doorstep that they were not going to vote for us "because of the war".
I can't remember our council declaring war on anyone, or even discussing the possibility. I do remember the local Labour party taking part in the anti-war demos
The other thing is that you are part of a party, you will get people votin g for u because they believe in a socialist/social democratic Britain so unfortunately you have to be prepared when people won't vote for you because of the party as well.
I was rather hoping that people would vote for both me and the party because they believe in "a socialist/social democratic Britain". It is a shame if this is seen to be incompatible.
We have been doin sum doorknocking and it wud seem labour r rather unpopular at the mo. Tthe following been a good example.
ME: Are you happy with the council (Labour led)
RESIDENT: Yes they are very good
ME: Will you be voting labour on May 4th then
RESIDENT: No I don't like what that Blair bloke had done with top up fees and Iraq
Barbara,
You might want to arrange to have an 'imprint' included on your blog. Given that I'm one of your Liberal Democrat opponents, consider this as a piece of friendly advice...
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