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 Amber Rudd, who was selected in December 2006 for Hastings and Rye. The seat has been held for Labour since 1997 by Michael Jabez Foster, whose notional majority going into the next election is 1,156. Amber requires a swing of 1.3% to regain the seat for the Conservatives.
Monday 2nd November
My excellent Agent, Terri Lock, has gone on holiday. I tried to stop her going but she insisted - very selfish of her really. So I know I’ve got to keep on top of absolutely everything this week as there is no delegating. On the plus side we have just moved into new offices (pictured below) so at last we have the space to organize ourselves and have our meetings.
The constituency of Hastings and Rye is 80% Hastings, 20% Rye and surrounding villages - which is roughly how I divide up my time. Last week we were unexpectedly dealt a surprise in Hastings as one of our Councillors stood down due to ill health and we are therefore selecting a candidate and planning for the by-election on December 10th. There is no complacency for any Council seats here in Hastings. We fight tooth and claw for every one. Currently we have 15 against Labour’s 13, the Lib Dems' three and one Independent. So winning this by-election is essential. On Monday morning I meet up with the Local Government Selection Committee in the new offices to formally approve the new candidate who was nominated at last week’s Executive. Although there have been various suitors to be candidate for this, I am delighted that our Association Chairman, Simon Corello is to fight it.
Then I am out canvassing with two other activists, for the afternoon in Hollington, one of the most deprived wards of Hastings. I am surprised by how many residents simply declare that they are not interested and won’t be voting. Some of them have never voted, but others are just giving up on politicians since all the expenses saga. They feel bitterly let down by the whole political class.
We urgently need to demonstrate that a new system of regulation is in place, the worst offenders are to be punished and politicians can now be trusted again. It is so corrosive to democracy to have MPs held in contempt, and it is still regularly coming up on the doorstep.
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