The Election Process - Part 5 - Canvassing

It’s been half term, so for me, as that’s the only time I can do it (I am still working as a full-time teacher), I have been out and about in the constituency delivering my leaflets and talking to people who want to talk about the election.

There’s no getting away from it, the thought of canvassing is depressing and arguably soul destroying; it certainly was for me before I started. If you are thinking of standing then my advice regarding canvassing: once you’ve posted the first leaflet, it’s all fine.

Talking to constituents is good and informative, making me think more often than not. After all, talking to constituents is what MPs should be doing as these are the people they represent; this has been increasingly side-lined over time.

Those photos you see of candidates smiling at a front door are purely set up, as no-one carries all the paraphernalia you see in the picture by the way. I carried a rucksack including water and spare leaflets to stop me having to go back to the car too often, so those huge signs you see are from fully paid up supporters of the party. If you studied history, like I did, then this is a fairly common propaganda tactic used for many years.

During the week, I delivered thousands of leaflets, and friends of mine delivered thousands more. I covered between 80km and 90km so if you want to get fit this is one method I suppose. However, don’t think it’s easy; I was barely able to walk on Thursday!

The over-riding message from talking to people is that they are tired of party politics and feel let down, even ignored by the system. I heard numerous times that people (of all generations, I should add) were glad I was standing as it raised their interest in actually turning out to vote. This spurred me on hugely as that’s precisely how I feel and a major part of why I’m standing.

I suppose we shall see whether it was all worth it on June 9^th, although challenging the status quo regarding politics has certainly been worth it, and if I’ve made some people think then the job is at least partly done at least.