Each week a different PPC provides us with an insight into life as a candidate and gives us a flavour of their own campaign and interests. If you are a candidate and are keen to be featured, please email Jonathan Isaby.
This week’s diary is written by Conor Burns, who was selected a year ago as PPC for Bournemouth West, where Sir John Butterfill is retiring as Conservative MP at the next election. Sir John bequeaths Conor a notional majority of 2,766 after some boundary changes. Conor writes about his week as the Lib Dems converged on Bournemouth for their annual conference.
Saturday 19th September
Most Saturdays we have some form of street presence but for a change we don’t this week. I have breakfast with an old friend, and a new one, at a popular cafe in Westbourne. Then walk around Westbourne. Spend some time talking to an elderly veteran of WWII who is collecting for the wings appeal. It’s always humbling listening to their stories and remembering how much we owe that generation.
Before heading to the local office to check on post I pick up a copy of the Daily Echo. Nick Clegg has launched an extraordinary intemperate attack on David Cameron calling him a ‘Conman’. I’m sure this is a mistake from their point of view. People tell me on the door step that they want to know more about David – but they don’t dislike him. This is the sort of language that really turns people off and I’m not sure Clegg has earned the right with the public to say it. Dash off a quick letter the Echo saying that while people are worried about so many things people want politicians to raise the tone of debate. Use one of my favourite quotes from Lord Denning, “Two reasonable persons could perfectly reasonably come to opposite conclusions on the same set of facts without forfeiting their right to be regarded as reasonable.”
Head over to one of the Poole Wards which will be in Bournemouth West under boundary changes to do a bit of delivery. I’d printed a leaflet for one of our Councillors who had got some work done on a roundabout near the University. Vital that when we do good work we tell the public. Later get a couple of emails from people who had got the leaflet. This is when I feel I’m making proper contact.
Recent Comments