My hands have a thousand paper-cuts. The bones in my legs ache in a dull, constant way. My brain is primed to answer any political query. Want to know what the Big Society means and how it can help you? I can tell you. Can we trust Osborne on the economy? Let me tell you why the answer is an emphatic yes. You work in the public services and are worried how cuts may impact your job? A little bit of pain now is better than a load of pain tomorrow. Just ask your Greek friends.
I am one of thousands of volunteers who have plodded the streets of Britain, asking people for their vote. In certain swing seats I am surprised that some residents haven’t taken out an ASBO to stop canvassers from interrupting dinner/the match/‘Enders.
The easiest way to convince ordinary folk about the negative characteristics of a hung parliament is to tell them that they may receive a ton of leaflets again by the end of this year. “Dear Sir and Madam, the only way to banish me from your doorstep for the foreseeable future is to elect a strong Conservative Government.”
During the last month I have been thinking about who has shaped the electoral environment. Three people have had the most influence on the conversations I have had:
Heather Brooke
“We ‘ate the lot of them. They’re nothing but a bunch of crooks.”
Hands up. Who even knew that you could buy duck houses before the expenses scandal? When Heather Brooke put in her freedom of information request in 2004 I doubt she envisaged how her actions would send an earthquake though our political process. Whatever issue is raised on the door-step it will more often be coated in anger derived from the expenses fall-out. Looking back I still find it unbelievable that the political system tried to filibuster Heather’s request for six years. Whatever the outcome of the election a big job needs doing to reconnect voters with politicians.
John Ryley (Head of Sky News)
“I like that Nick Clegg. He came across very well on the TV the other day.”
The TV debates have transformed what was an uncertain election into an unknown entity. By channelling the anger of Everyman, and seeming to stand apart from ‘the politicians’, Nick Clegg connected with the zeitgeist, thus making election 2010 a three horse race. The idea has been kicking around for a number of years but it only became a serious possibility when Sky News said “Listen, we think there should be a debate. We’re going to stage it. Be there or be square.” No-one wanted to leave an empty lectern.
Two things are certain. Election debates will be an expected part of future campaign processes. Potential future leaders will be judge on their ability to shine in the television studio.
Peter Mandelson
“I do think that David Cameron would be a better Prime Minister than Gordon Brown. He needs to go.”
Could Labour have won this election if they had another leader? No-one can be sure but what is certain is Gordon Brown is not an electoral asset. He is neither popular on the doorstep, a smooth televisual operator or comfortable with the public. Baron Mandelson of Foy is the knight who rode back from Brussels to save Gordon Brown from a multitude of peasants’ revolts. Many in the Labour hierarchy must have been aware of Brown’s inabilities. The books of Andrew Rawnsley and Peter Watt exposed character traits that are not conducive to being an election winning leader. Let’s not forgot that Gordon Brown has managed to avoid fighting a competitive election for many years. If Peter Mandelson had not backed Brown when James Purnell resigned, this election would have been very different. There is something deliciously ironic about the possibility that one of the architects of New Labour will be responsible for his party’s worst performance since 1983.
As Iain Dale says “He’s run the most incompetent Labour campaign since (and possibly including) 1983.”
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