Campaigning Hard!

Over the past month I have been campaigning in support of our Kent County Council and European Union candidates. It has not been easy getting our message across against the daily news filtering out of Westminster about the scandal surrounding MPs’ expense claims. But like activists from all the local political parties, we have worked hard to persuade a sceptical electorate that not all politicians are the same.

Take last week as an example; except for Wednesday (more of that later), I put in three campaigning sessions a day including stints in Leysdown, Minster, Milton Regis and Sheerness. Delivering leaflets and talking to as many people as possible.

The interesting thing is that despite a real anger against MPs of all parties, I witnessed no personal hostility, indeed, the reverse was the case. I was greeted warmly by almost everybody to whom I spoke. The clear message was that voters want an immediate General Election so that they can boot out those MPs who have abused the system. Judging by the reaction on the doorstep our own local Labour MP is one of those for the chop!

The latter part of the week was a real struggle because of the weather, You won’t hear me say this too often (I love the sun!) but it was far too hot for campaigning. Thursday was particularly trying, because it was so humid, and by the time I had completed my third two hour session of the day, I was absolutely shattered!

But the week wasn’t all politics. On Wednesday Louise (who has been helping deliver leaflets all week) and I bunked off from campaigning and took two of our granddaughters to Leeds Castle for a picnic. We might have guessed; it started raining when we arrived and it drizzled non stop all the time we were there! Check out the photo on the Home Page!

But we had a good time; we wandered round the gardens, navigated the puddle strewn maze, visited the grotto, watched a jousting event and then retreated to the car where we had an enjoyable, but cramped, picnic. That’s what being a grandparent is all about!