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.

Becoming a candidate

I am very excited to have been selected as a Labour candidate for Village Ward for the elections to Southwark Council in May. I have been a member of the party for most of my life (despite occasional disagreements over policy directions in the early 80's!). Now I have a chance to do what I enjoy most - using my considerable energies for the community in which I live. Currently, Village Ward has one Labour councillor, Michelle Pearce, and two Tories. We hope to claim all three seats for Labour in May. To our advantage, all three of us - myself, Michelle and Kate Cinamon - actually live in the ward, unlike the three Tories, so we do know what goes on locally and very quickly pick up problems and concerns. We know that many people are worried about the level of council tax. Fortunately we can promise the electors that we will keep any council tax increase at or below the rate of inflation until 2009.We also know people are worried about local street crime (I have personal experience of this as both my children have been "mugged"). We promise to be tough on crime but also to understand that there is a need to provide activities for young people to keep them off the street. We are keen to provide extended use of schools for clubs and sporting activities and for the wider benefit of the community.