Support has been, overall, encouraging. Naturally some streets have not been a Tory paradise. A man near a park gate waved his angry finger at me proclaiming that we were "all crooks out to get taxpayer's money." I'd say that would be the Labour Party myself, but he was entitled to his ramblings. Another gentleman told me to save my breath and that nothing would stop him voting for the Liberal Democrats. Another said "If there was a box with the option 'None of the Above', I should like to put my cross in that," and slammed his door. Quite amusing.
On the flip side, I have received some more pleasant responses. I interrupted yet another middle-aged man during his dinner and he proceeded to have a discussion with me regarding immigration. He stressed that he did not believe our floodgates should simply be shut, but felt Britain's borders are far too lax. When I stated Cameron's plans for immigration, he cut me off and told me 'I' had his vote. One single mother shared my distaste for our government, another woman upon noticing my rosette stated "Gordon Brown out!", and yet another, while at first wavering between Conservative and Liberal Democrat, I managed to sway after talking about the hollow policies and faltering promises that Clegg is offering.
I think by far the most interesting part of the week just gone was attending a hustings debate in a nearby church with Mr. Amess. Also at attendance were the Labour, Liberal Democrat, UKIP and Green candidates. The English Democrat candidate could not attend, and the BNP candidate was uninvited. It was very interesting to watch as each of them stood up and made their pitches to local voters.
Before it even started, everyone was asked to put their phones on silent. As soon as the Liberal candidate stood up, his phone began ringing - not once, but three times. Fumbling around with his mobile, he said "Sorry, just a Lib Dem voter ringing me." Well, at least you have one. Whether it was a staged phone call or he was actually stupid enough to not turn off the device, he made himself look like a royal t---t.
The Liberal made the old case of Clegg that his party was the squeaky clean, untested party that was finally ready to take the lead. Don't make me laugh, please. The Labour candidate was a nice fellow with, I must say, some well put points, but he just cannot argue for such a weak party in the state of despair and destruction it is. The UKIPer received more applause than I felt comfortable with.... that was until he put forward his idea for bringing back corporal punishment in schools. After that, very lukewarm indeed. As for the Green candidate, who arrived late, he continued to put his hand in his coin clinking pockets and stutter nearly every time he rose to answer a question. For some additional information, just as in the televised debates, each candidate had a few minutes at the beginning and conclusion to relay their purpose, as well as a set period of time to answer each question. Even though it was a local debate, I must say that only one of the questions that I can remember was actually focused locally, and while the meeting was quite short, I'm glad I attended.
I also shared a chat with some members of the two hundred strong audience, as well as the Labour and UKIP candidates (including the Labour candidate for Rochford and Southend East, Kevin Bonavia). All three were pleasant chaps I was happy to speak to.
To finish, a local worker came up to me just before I went to indulge in Conservative policy talk. "I see you're wearing blue, so you're the only one that's going to make sense around here." That was a nice little send-off.
The Prime Minister shaking hands with Gordon Brown.
No comments:
Post a Comment