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.

My Thoughts On: Roads

The original aim to build a major A/M27 trunk road all the way from Honiton to Folkestone will never be realised, but the Adur flyover at Shoreham and the Southwick tunnel were major improvements years ago which solved problems eastwards around Brighton. Whatever happens in the future these two constructions will have to be used as it will be too expensive to do any different.

Going around Worthing is quite another matter now compared to what it was 20 years ago, made all the more difficult by such developments as Lyons Farm etc. There are so many “pinch-points” (Sussex Pad lights, North Lancing’s Manor roundabout, Busticle Lane lights, Lyons Farm, Grove Lodge roundabout, Offington Roundabout) that dualling on its own will not solve and bridge/tunnel solutions for these would be hugely expensive, deeply unpopular and very disruptive.

The IKEA and housing proposals (I shall talk about these in another post) at New Monks Farm would take out the Sussex Pad pinch-point, but this may be a big and unpopular issue for those who live on Coombes Road and Lancing College. Original proposals to go up the valley behind Hoe Court and then tunnel under Barton's Farm in North Lancing might have helped (these were proposed in the 1970 and 80's) but the South Downs’ National Park and cost will make that barely worth contemplating.

This leaves the Steyning bypass/Long Furlong proposal which would cost less to dual but has problems at the west end, going through Clapham and Patching re-joining the current A27 route.

From the East Worthing and Shoreham constituency viewpoint this might be preferable but it has been talked about for a long time and adequate funding needs to be provided. And I don’t want to appear to go all “Not In My Back Yard” regarding the bypass essentially avoiding the constituency in the main, but the constituency options seem too problematic.

Regarding the other major thoroughfare in East Worthing and Shoreham, it’s hard to see what can be done for the A259 particularly at Shoreham. Rush hour traffic on the A283 link from A27 to A259 is a huge problem that may impact on proposed bypass solutions. Good public transport is important and should be a priority. School journeys clog up local roads at morning rush hour times so is there a case for staggering starting times for schools? Although how this would fit with teachers is also a consideration, and one that is often forgotten by politicians.

Whichever option is pursued, lack of popularity will be an issue, but there’s one thing for sure, something needs to be done and local politicians as well as representatives in Westminster need to help make it happen.

My Thoughts On - Fox Hunting

This might seem quite a specific topic for a blog post, but since I've been asked the following question numerous times, I just want to make it very clear:

If there was a parliamentary vote on the re-introduction of fox hunting I would vote: No.

I hope that satisfies anyone who was wondering.

The Election Process - Part 4 - Hustings

I’ve been through my first hustings experience and “experience” is the correct word. The hottest day of the year and I arrive direct from work; I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have butterflies on the drive to the venue.

The thing is that you have no idea what is going to be asked. I was quite lucky that this one was organised by a group focused on getting a fair deal for schools in West Sussex, my specialist subject, even if I do say so myself.

I met all the candidates beforehand and they were a really nice bunch, interested in getting their message across rather than bickering over party politics, which is a pet hate of mine and a small part of the reason I’m standing as I believe that the bickering parliament and the media helps no-one, least of all the constituents who vote for the squabbling MPs.

In case you were wondering, we were not pre-warned about the questions that were asked and had to answer on the spot; not as easy as it might seem and fair play to my fellow candidates as they were very good, although I felt I held my own. Only the audience can give an accurate answer I suppose.

I actually enjoyed the experience and thank the organisers (FAST – Future Adur Schools Team) for allowing me to attend and speak. I’d also like to thank the audience who supplied some great questions; I only hope I did them justice.

#VoteLutters