Quote from Front Page:
"In fact my local Labour Party campaigns week in and week out - not just at elections. As the local candidate I'm able to be out and about just about every weekend of the year - running my Street Stalls in Deal and Dover and knocking on doors all over the constituency. This will be the fifth General Election I've fought for the Dover & Deal seat....."
Well, he's never been to my front door! I've had the Tory and LibDem candidates at some stage banging on my door after my vote, but NEVER the Labour candidate. If GP's team have been electioneering "week in and week out" it must be construed as preaching to the converted.
Still, I hope he enjoyed the Number 10 photo opportunity, he is good at seeking those out if nothing else.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
no political party knocks on the door of someone that does not vote for them, not much point really.
the whole point of door knocking is to remind your own supporters that an election is on and that it is important for them to vote.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
I don't see it that way, not at all. If you know that someone's going to vote your way, surely it would be better to knock at the door of someone who may be considering voting your way? Floating voters could win or lose this election either way.
True friends stab you in the front.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
floating voters yes, certainly not people that will definitely not.
there are never enough canvassers to do this.
Erm, read my post again please Howard. More than one party has knocked on my door, that is what electioneering is about. Why waste time with those you know are going to vote for you?
Besides, at more than one election there were four votes available in my household and although one was decided on where the "x" would go, there were still three votes up for grabs and not to be sniffed at in my view (bearing in mind I failed by 4 votes to get into the DTC some years back).
Sorry, no excuses bearing in mind the number of opportunities to visit the area I live in.
Guest 686- Registered: 5 May 2009
- Posts: 556
As long as they don't bang on my door when I'm asleep! Shift work can be a right bu**er at times.
I think a notice on the front door might well be on the way: "Shift worker - you wake me up, you die."
Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!!
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
Better still, Phil:
"Shift worker asleep. Wake me up and I'll vote for the others."
True friends stab you in the front.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
I was out with Gwyn on saturday morning street stall outside the Town Council offices on Saturday,and recently he was with me in Tower Hamlets and I know that he has been out every weekend recently.
The street stalls are every month in Dover and Deal where you can meet not only your MP but Cllrs as well,we were joined this week by lots of young people for the last hour,good to see young people involved in politics,one person who spent a while talking to me and Gwyn was Danny Lee from the youth parliment.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
maybe you should read mine sid.
parties that are sure you are not going to vote for them will not call on you.
they only call on supporters and possibles, incidentally only the reds have knocked on my door to my knowledge.
parties know where their vote is strongest.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
Howard
I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Vic knocks at your door. Better stock up on tea & bikkies!
True friends stab you in the front.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
got in about half hour ago to find his leaflets on my door mat.
my neighbour said an "old bloke" with a stick was doing the delivering.
don't tell vic though.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Correction folks, here is the definative answer to the canvassing point as someone who has done it for 30 odd years and ran elections.
The objective is to find out who is likely to vote for you - there is no other reason, it is not to convert or talk to the converted. A good canvasser will not assume the whole household votes the same way and would want ideally to speak to each individual though not always possible.
Political parties rely on volunteers in this and do not have the manpower to canvas as thoroughly as they would want during the 'hot' election period so a lot of people do not get a visit.
When I stood for the old Barton Ward I always set out to get a 100% individual canvass with, usually, just 3 people to canvass around 3000 voters, in the 'hot' election period. It was a massive challenge and a huge commitment of time and effort. I had two weeks off to do it and would start at 9am finishing around 8pm 6 days a week with barely a break, canvassing prior to that in evenings after work and weekends. Never did it on Sundays. With all that effort and sometimes up to 4 'call backs' on 'outs' at different times of day I never managed to get more than about 90% individual canvas. Few people are capable of that kind of effort and I certainly could not do anything like that now.
In canvassing you are damned if you do and damned if you dont. Some people regard it as an intrusion and even object to a leaflet being delivered while other get angry or upset if no-one calls.
I hope that everyone here on the forum will be understanding and tolerant towards the volunteers of all parties who call on them
I know this will be controversial but I do not understand why a service man's family members are considered to be "local heroes". He is doing a paid job for which he signed up with his eyes open. His family have no choice as to where he is sent and cannot influence the circumstances under which he is operating. He is fighting a war with which many ordinary people do not agree. Whilst he could be categorised as a hero, why is his family?
I am sure that there are many other members of the community who would qualify for this title (some of whom contribute to this forum) - where were they in this photo opportunity.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Well I do not ring bells or knock on doors but if somone comes out to talk that is great and they do,but Howard were was my cup of tea.
?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Diana - you are a long way off subject there in this thread. Why not start a new thread on the subject if you want to discuss that view.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
Alec Sheldon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
Charlie came to my house last Saturday and I have never voted Tory in my life so that is your theory out of the window Howard. I was in the shower and my wife had the phone to her ear so he just left some bumf . I never did get to meet him.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
alec
you may well find that others in your road do, so he would have kocked on your door while he was there.
did you offer him the darjeeling or the earl grey?
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
sid,to be honest he has gone back to his sheep farm in north wales to consult his cosituants.
Alec Sheldon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
Howard, Darjeeling or Earl Grey,? I am not in the same league as posh Barry, he would have got PG Tips like it or not.
yawn