Basking in the warm sunny weather and the successful aftermath of my election campaign as I took a walk around the village and accepted the many and varied expressions of joy and congratulation. Several press interviews in person and by radio live but my victory is the only one for my party on the Huntingdonshire District Council and nationally we just polled 20%. The ferry dispute still carries on with ACAS talks now the key
I had omitted to mention that yesterday’s weather had been beautifully fine and warm and today started out the same. My phone continued ringing and I fielded calls from Radio Cambridgeshire again and many well-wishers. I decided to go into St Neots with Diana and we went to the Riverside Park in the sunshine, but the refreshment booth was not open. We sat in the warm sunshine and then returned to the town centre for coffee there. I took Daniella and visited the newspaper offices. In particular, the HCN Express (Trader) were interested in my performance and plans and interviewed me at length on the thing until little Daniella forced things to a close!
Met with Diana and then drove round to see Mike Pope, but he is ill and suffering from migraine and vomiting, which is a condition that he is affected with. I chatted to his wife and then took the decision to pursue the regional publicity myself. Home and I had to return more phone calls. An interview arranged with Radio Cambridgeshire for this afternoon. A telephone interview with the Hunts Post and a call from Moira, who wanted to come over and collect her computer system and help clear up after the campaign. We had lunch of rolls left over from yesterday and drinks seated on my steamer chairs on the front lawn, which was very relaxing. This afternoon, I started clearing up my office and then took the radio interview by the river. This evening, I cut the games lawn, ahead of tomorrow and then made an overdue number of phone calls to relatives and friends. This morning I had also taken an early walk around the village to inspect my results boards and put up a few more stickers. I was stopped on the way by many friends, neighbours and villagers, who congratulated me on my success and the way in which I had worked so hard to achieve it. It was very rewarding. I am now the only SLD councillor on the Huntingdonshire District Council, which is a pity. Late to bed, writing up these last two day’s journal and very tired as a result of all the effort and lost sleep. The election news is of Labour gains, some Tory losses and a poor result for the SLD. At least the party polled about 20%, which is better than the opinion polls. The main news tonight is of Mr Alton’s Abortion Reform Bill failing, due to lack of private members parliamentary time and an opposing filibuster. The ferry dispute still carries on with ACAS talks now the key. The good weather will last for Debbie's party tomorrow.