Canvassing with colleagues on a dry but breezy and chilly day after identifying which roads were older people in bungalows likely to be in on a weekday and then calling back after dark to erect flag boards. I included Daniella on a Reliant trip to St Neots today and she was thrilled. The Tories in trouble over their new benefits system where some elderly, sick and poorer people are worse off
Slept well and was awake fairly early. Down to a breakfast of boiled egg, which had got a bit hard by that time – then to my office to start getting the place ready for this morning’s canvassing. Diana caught the bus to Cambridge and I then used the car to drive around the village, identifying those properties that are bungalows and occupied during the day. Then, later, I met Mike Pope and Frances Williams and got them started on their rounds, whilst I waited in vain for Joe Wilcox. As he did not turn up, I took on one canvass myself and left Frances and Mike to do their own alone. We concentrated on likely places for daytime occupants and moved quite well through them. At lunchtime, I made a few phone calls and then took it easier this afternoon, dealing with my mail and trying to clear the desks of papers.
This evening, I had Robin Martlew from the A45 and Michael Pope again and we not only found many people in but succeeded in covering the ground well. Called back after dark at three key Flag Board sites on Park Side, which was well worthwhile. Back at the committee room, chatted with Michael and Moira Biggins to compare notes. Moira has typed in all our friends and contacts onto the database and we may print out dozens of personalised letters tomorrow, calling on them for their support. The news tonight is of trouble in the House of Commons, as the full implications of the Tories new benefits system became known. There will be a minority of elderly, sick and poor people worse off and Labour is making much capital out of these ‘losers’. The stock exchanges have bounced back a little today, after the recent falls, but the world’s economic prospects still look a bit grim. At least today was dry, though still breezy and chilly and the sun came out at times to help us on our way. I took Percy the Reliant to St Neots today and Daniella was thrilled to come.