When we were first set this assignment, my first thought was
'No, I don't have a clue about politics, when is the election again'? However after giving it some thought, and choosing my outfit I thought of a film I had watched recently, and loved, 'Definitely, Maybe', a chick flick about Will Hayes, (Ryan Reynolds) a political consultant explaining to his daughter how he met her mother. At first I thought observing a councillor campaign for a day would be very much like I'd seen in the movie. A hot-shot with a big posse all thinking that they're slogans and policies are the ones to produce a bigger and better country and losing was not an option.
After sending many emails out to every Southampton and Totton Councillor I could find I started becoming a little disheartened. Every reply was that they were either too busy, didn't want someone following them around or the only campaigning they were going to be doing was dropping leaflets. Something I thought would never fill a thousand word essay. My illusion of watching high powered figures for a day started to fade.
That was until my reply from Councillor Jeremy Moulton. Councillor of finance in Southampton. Conservative. Up for the General Election in Southampton Test and up for re-election of Councillor. His plan, if he becomes MP of Southampton Test is to give up his role as Councillor after a year. He proposed a day of canvassing, a political-ish meeting of people in a sheltered home and leaflet dropping outside the biggest Mosque in Southampton. My illusions of politics re-appeared and I grabbed at the chance to campaign for a day with Councillor Moulton.
I had interviewed Councillor Moulton one time before about the fluoride debate in Hampshire. This made it easier as I knew who I was waiting for and what they looked like. The first big decision of the day, heels or not? I wanted to look professional, positive and as if I was meant to be campaigning - my visionary - Elle Woods. However, I didn't want to become crippled after an hour from my feet hurting with blisters. I didn't know what the day held so I decided to put on the flats and keep the heels in the car.
I didn't start the day as well as I could have. When asked about politics I proceeded to talk about Cosmopolitan and an article they had done last month. It included a profile and interview with Nick Clegg, David Cameron and Gordon Brown. Not knowing Councillor Moulton was Conservative, (must research in future, lesson learnt) I proceeded to talk about how unsure I was about Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg but how sure I was about not liking David Cameron. My judgement had came from what I had read in the interview and how he came across, not about the party or the policies, so it could have been worse. Happy with my talk about politics and showing to myself that I can h
old a conversation about it, we proceeded to Councillor Moultons Ford Mustang GT. Pretty impressive I thought, until I saw the back seat lined with posters in Conservative blue. Well done Domonique.
The rest of the day went without a glitch. We delivered leaflets where I found out how strong opinions were about the election and the different political parties. I hadn't realised before how strong people actually felt about it and how opposed they were to the Labour party. I'm sitting on the fence about my own opinion and who I am going to vote for is still a question but the public seem to be confident who they are going to be voting for.
The meeting at the shelter home went well. Councillor Moultons opposition sat across from us, slouched in his seat with his researcher. Alan Whitehead. Current Labour MP for Southampton Test.
We then went to a local pub where I met some of his colleagues and girlfriend. All of whom were very nice, accommodating and very professional. This was the part where I felt I was part of the campaigning crew, adding drinks to tabs was definitely new.
We then went on to Southampton's largest Mosque. An old school that had been bought and made in to a Mosque. This was very different for me. I do not go to Church, my family and friends aren't religious and so it was a very different experience for me, I wasn't quite sure of what to do or not to do. We met up with the Shadow Minister for transport, Steven Hammond; who came down to help Councillor Moulton campaign and Councillor Royston Smith who is up for election for Southampton Itchen. For about twenty minutes I saw people fill in to the old school for prayers. All delighted to see us stood outside, arms cradling hundreds of fliers.
As the prayers finished, including one for the two firemen that had been killed in the tower block blaze. Hundreds of men filed out taking the fliers, greeting us like friends and talking animatedly about the party, the election and how it was now time for change. Again this showed me how people wanted change, they wanted Labour out and the Conservatives in. The same points were made time after time. A vote for the Liberal Democrats is wasted so if you don't want Labour vote Conservative. One man said that his whole street is voting Conservative. Another that he personally knew 1000 people who were voting Tory.
I ended the day with a sun tan, a blister, finding out a little more about politics and some different thoughts about Conservatives. I've decided to start paying attention to the election pages in the papers, listening to the news when they start to talk about politics and actually taking note of the different policies the parties have. If I'm going to be voting I need all the details. And I can safely say I will be voting for the party whose policies I agree with, whether or not they have a chance in hell of winning.
So Good Luck to everyone from Labour to the Green Party and from the Conservatives to the Monster Raving Loony Party.
