Time off election campaigning watching Sandy Lyle win the US Masters golf tournament, then washing and polishing my cars before this warm and pleasant afternoon canvassing Lees Lane in Southoe where I heard about, but did not support, the Harradine Farm bid to build 700 houses! Some return visits to electors and poster sites secured. A second Kuwaiti Hijack hostage is murdered, Sterling falls 2 points but the stock exchange rallies and the introduction of the new Social Security benefit system causes widespread confusion and hostility
I eventually stayed up very late last night, watching Sandy Lyle, the Scottish golfer, winning the US Masters golf tournament, after a nail-biting finish. Was thus quite tired and reluctant to get up this morning as a result. Still, shampooed my hair, shaved and showered before breakfast and then opted against canvassing this morning. I dressed in jeans and a jumper after ascertaining that I would get no help today, and then got Daniel to help me take the cover off the swimming pool. I vacuumed out the bottom and ignited the pool boiler, so that it began the process of getting up to temperature. Then got the Corniche out of the garage and used the rest of a tiring morning to polish it from front to back. I have now used this extra hard polish on all three of my vehicles and the effect is very good. In for lunch and then I drove over to Southoe and spent the afternoon canvassing in Lees Lane and Agh Street. By now, the sun was quite warm and the weather very pleasant. I had a good reception from the older residents, but went to see Mr & Mrs Harradine, the farmer who is pushing for the development plan on his land that would bring over 700 houses. They received me courteously and gave me a cup of tea, but we could not agree on a great deal.
It was interesting to meet the other people, who are sharply divided on the matter and care also that the sewage disposal systems are improved and A1 access made more safe. It is a really divided community, which is a shame, but I have nailed my colours to the non-development mast. Home for tea, then this evening canvassing back in Little Paxton, with only Michael Pope to help for an hour. Even so, a very positive canvass, with almost unanimous support and willingness to display window bills. I now have dozens up – the most ever known and still three weeks to go. Later I called on two people who had specifically requested a meeting and won their support as well. Home latish and just locked up and watched the TV news whilst writing up my journal. The main story is of the Kuwaiti plane, where a second hostage has been murdered, as tension rises between the hijackers and authorities. Next, the stock exchange is now rising strongly, as sterling drops 2 cents against the dollar. The new government social security benefit system is introduced today, amongst widespread worry, confusion and opposition. They certainly know how to upset people and the Citizens Advice Bureaux are overwhelmed. I end today struck by the reception and hospitality I received today in Southoe (and Paxton, come to that). Perhaps the publicity and newspaper coverage helped, but much of it was a genuine reciprocation of the interest I am taking.