Canvassing alone on a freezing cold morning and then being joined by others between dropping Debbie off at her horse-riding and picking her up afterwards. Much publicity in the Hunts Post about my election; deeply objected to by the Tory candidate. The Kuwait Airways Hijack Crisis continues with more than 20 women hostages released , more dead in Israeli/Palestinian clashes on the West Bank and a planned Soviet troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
Started the day early and was showered, shaved and dressed in good time for breakfast. Just croissants with marmalade this morning. Little of interest in the mail, apart from the latest Democrat Party newspaper. Soon ready for this morning’s canvass, but my helper phoned to say he could not make it until tomorrow and so I went out on my own. A freezing cold misty morning and so I finished off the missing houses in High Street and Gordon Road until lunchtime, when I returned home a bit cold. I also visited the houses pledged for a postal vote and delivered forms and then went to see Helen Young and Kim Holman, who deliver leaflets – then Vera Ruff to see how she was getting on too. Had lunch with the family – Daniel had been studying this morning – but Debbie was at the Fitzpatrick Stables for the day for her horse care course and I had driven her across first thing. Carried on alone this afternoon and had time to speak to a few more locals and fill gaps in my canvass sheets.
Back home a little early to study my notes, but was in good time to go and collect Debbie at the end of her day. She thoroughly enjoyed it and is keen to have her regular lesson tomorrow as well! This evening I had Mike Pope to canvass and also Heather from Cambridge constituency, who brought a helper to deliver some leaflets. A busy evening, because we also had a threatening call from a Tory Councillor who didn’t like our letter about him to the Hunts Post. After our consultations, we decided to ignore this challenge as being invalid. A late night saying goodbye to one and all and then to my journal and the teletext news. The main story is still the Kuwaiti hijack, but there has been no progress other than the release of twenty odd of the women passengers. Three more killed in the Israeli/Palestinian clashes on the West Bank. One of the teaching unions is threatening more strike action over a pay dispute and USSR Secretary General, Gorbachev, is meeting the Afghan leader over plans for a Soviet troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. The weather warmed up a little this afternoon, but was cold again tonight. The outlook is similar. I met the lady owner of Daisy’s Cottage today and saw the beautiful fireplace that they had uncovered. Had a friendly reception (but no votes) from the two halves of Gordon Villas. The Hunts Post was full of my stories today, which is a great improvement, as I may have got through to them at last.