Two Labour groups of canvassers were out on the stump this weekend after the visit from Ed Miliband in the week.
Despite the temperature, the reception on the doorstep was very warm with many voters angry at the drunken antics of Mark Reckless MP and the cuts agenda of the Conservative Party locally and nationally. David Davis drunken antics in a restaurant on the news did Labour no harm, as people begin to see the fault-lines appearing in this lacklustre coalition.
The Medway Conservative group was also targeted by residents for the incompetent management of Chatham regeneration, constant road works and surprisingly, the cuts to Police numbers. One individual met had been one of those recruits waiting to join the Police, before the Conservative Government showed its priorities for policing in Kent.
We were following in the footsteps of the Green and English Democrat canvassers who had clearly been on the doorstep. Many voters were confused with the English Democrats who seemingly call themselves the 'New Party' on the doorstep. The Green Party, which is fighting on the issue of City Status are not swaying anybody. High-level anodyne policies like that do not energise a base of support beyond a tiny rump. Many people are concerned by pavement politics including crime, regeneration and for someone with a history of fighting for the community where John Jones is strong.
Our canvass returns showed very very little support for the Greens, Liberal Democrats or English Democrats. This canvasser did not speak to a single Green voter. Both campaigns however have reasonable candidates and are definately out on the stump.
It is however a real two-horse race in River Ward between David Craggs and John Jones.
The Conservative campaign has finally got itself into gear with a number of leafletters spotted trying to get entrance to a number of flats, and moving on.
The gear will no doubt shift upwards as the day approaches. A strong leaflet it must be said introducing a credible candidate..
River Ward is a two horse race. Conservative voters dissatisfied with the antics of the MP and cuts to police and schools may stay at home. Liberal Democrats are moving to Labour and it is clear we have an energised campaign with media support. The Greens have little support but will suck a few votes away from Labour and the Liberal Democrats, not one leaflet yet, though have been spotted in Melville Court and other Labour areas.
Perhaps someone should remind them that they are now propping up Tory policies of cuts to public services which will hurt the residents of Melville Court and other areas of the ward. Tuition fee increases and VAT rises will hurt the poorest most.
Despite the temperature, the reception on the doorstep was very warm with many voters angry at the drunken antics of Mark Reckless MP and the cuts agenda of the Conservative Party locally and nationally. David Davis drunken antics in a restaurant on the news did Labour no harm, as people begin to see the fault-lines appearing in this lacklustre coalition.
The Medway Conservative group was also targeted by residents for the incompetent management of Chatham regeneration, constant road works and surprisingly, the cuts to Police numbers. One individual met had been one of those recruits waiting to join the Police, before the Conservative Government showed its priorities for policing in Kent.
We were following in the footsteps of the Green and English Democrat canvassers who had clearly been on the doorstep. Many voters were confused with the English Democrats who seemingly call themselves the 'New Party' on the doorstep. The Green Party, which is fighting on the issue of City Status are not swaying anybody. High-level anodyne policies like that do not energise a base of support beyond a tiny rump. Many people are concerned by pavement politics including crime, regeneration and for someone with a history of fighting for the community where John Jones is strong.
Our canvass returns showed very very little support for the Greens, Liberal Democrats or English Democrats. This canvasser did not speak to a single Green voter. Both campaigns however have reasonable candidates and are definately out on the stump.
It is however a real two-horse race in River Ward between David Craggs and John Jones.
The Conservative campaign has finally got itself into gear with a number of leafletters spotted trying to get entrance to a number of flats, and moving on.
The gear will no doubt shift upwards as the day approaches. A strong leaflet it must be said introducing a credible candidate..
River Ward is a two horse race. Conservative voters dissatisfied with the antics of the MP and cuts to police and schools may stay at home. Liberal Democrats are moving to Labour and it is clear we have an energised campaign with media support. The Greens have little support but will suck a few votes away from Labour and the Liberal Democrats, not one leaflet yet, though have been spotted in Melville Court and other Labour areas.
Perhaps someone should remind them that they are now propping up Tory policies of cuts to public services which will hurt the residents of Melville Court and other areas of the ward. Tuition fee increases and VAT rises will hurt the poorest most.
The momentum is with John Jones and Labour. Though we still have weeks to go...
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The Labour canvassers were a nice surprise at the weekend and all credit to them. The tory leaflet that was hastily pushed though my letterbox is complete rubbish and shows no regard to the reality in River Ward. I notice that the tories did not hang around or bother to try to speak to residents where I live - much like the rest of the council
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon. We are out and about and aim to meet every resident. John is particularly active in meeting people and listening to their concerns. Not over promising but just listening and engaging.
ReplyDeleteYou will hopefully meet other candidates to make a comparison but clearly we are leading the way in engagement.