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Post by Shadow on Apr 12, 2015 11:40:17 GMT 1
Last year during the local elections I noticed that not a single local candidate -or their representatives-bothered knocking on our door in order to try and find out out our concerns or try and get our vote.Talking to my parents and other people it seems that its been years since they have had any contact with any candidate other than the usual leaflets delivered through the doors.I did get a fleeting glimpse of our local Labour candidate posting leaflets but no stopping for a chat so to speak.Has anyone actually had anyone knock-and if so how did it go-just interested to know how popular the door knocking approach is these days.My dad told me the last person to knock on his was a Conservative candidate years back-he got short thrift-not because he was a Tory-but because he didnt have a clue about the area he hoped to represent-my dad sent him packing there and then.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2015 17:58:59 GMT 1
MP's are like the rest of us, use social media and email could be deemed lazy..........or efficient . There are places and estates (not just here) which canvasing is somewhat dangerous, so I don't expect others to do what I wouldn't be prepered to do.
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Post by Shadow on Apr 13, 2015 20:29:58 GMT 1
My estate is actually very safe-its mostly private properties with perhaps two streets council-tonight I watched as two Labour supporters walked round posting leaflets-they didnt knock on a single door.In terms of my parents-they live on one of the best privately owned estates in Low Fell-so the fact that no one knocks there is most certainly not due to safety issues.My own take on it is that because the current councillors have been in the job for about twenty years and have up til now enjoyed a large majority-they dont feel the need.I brought the topic up because I have been doing some canvassing myself in support of a minority party-that involved door knocking.On both private and council estates.Without going into who for or playing party politics what I found was that talking to people face to face was a really moving experience and gave me a huge insight into concerns that local people have.Using social media and emails is well and good-assuming everyone owns a computer and is on the internet-many many dont and arent. Since I have done it-for the first time ever-I do expect others to do it.I would also say I never once felt in danger-you would be surprised how much people valued being asked their opinions -on all the different estates.And how pleasant everyone was even if they didnt want to talk.
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Post by skintagain on Apr 13, 2015 21:46:21 GMT 1
Jehovas witness are the only ones who knocked on my door, after all the cost cutting Gateshead labour run council has done, fortnightly bin collections, LED street lights, yes they save money but they are crap and the criminals love them, housing repairs, worse than the street lights, and now they continue to increase the rents and council tax while dishing out a crap service, so if a Labour candidate knocks on my door he will get a worse reception than the Jehovas witness.
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Post by Shadow on Apr 13, 2015 22:13:19 GMT 1
The points youve made are exactly what everyone else has made that Ive talked to-people are totally pissed off-myself included-you can add Library closures,an increase in the cost of meals on wheels,withdrawal of pensioner services such as help with shopping and form filling,leisure facilities being restricted.I had to laugh-got a leaflet through today-our local councillor included in his achievements seeing a dead rat on Kells lane and phoning the council to have it removed-is this what weve come to ?
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Post by Jazz on Apr 13, 2015 22:39:31 GMT 1
No knocks here....but do have Tory Councillor...a woman coming round regularly who does try to address local issues in our immediate area. For that reason I'll vote for her although I'm not a supporter of her party.....and I don't think she is a particularly "toe the party line" person.
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Post by Shadow on Apr 13, 2015 22:47:46 GMT 1
After taking five minutes to calm myself down after reading your post Jazz-and just joking-you can vote for whoever you want to-would you say the fact that this lady is active,interested in what you have to say,takes on board what you have to say and acts on it influenced your decision ?
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Post by skintagain on Apr 13, 2015 23:27:10 GMT 1
Don't forget Jazz no matter how enthusiastic she may seem she is still one of Camerons minions, and the new Tory policies cut pensions, cut disability benefits, more funding cuts for the North East and of course there will be a new type of tax, probably something stupid like garden tax, or maybe pavement tax, it might sound daft but we pay road tax so why not, just remember these things before going over to the dark side.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2015 0:20:49 GMT 1
My estate is actually very safe-its mostly private properties with perhaps two streets council-tonight I watched as two Labour supporters walked round posting leaflets-they didnt knock on a single door.In terms of my parents-they live on one of the best privately owned estates in Low Fell-so the fact that no one knocks there is most certainly not due to safety issues.My own take on it is that because the current councillors have been in the job for about twenty years and have up til now enjoyed a large majority-they dont feel the need.I brought the topic up because I have been doing some canvassing myself in support of a minority party-that involved door knocking.On both private and council estates.Without going into who for or playing party politics what I found was that talking to people face to face was a really moving experience and gave me a huge insight into concerns that local people have.Using social media and emails is well and good-assuming everyone owns a computer and is on the internet-many many dont and arent. Since I have done it-for the first time ever-I do expect others to do it.I would also say I never once felt in danger-you would be surprised how much people valued being asked their opinions -on all the different estates.And how pleasant everyone was even if they didnt want to talk. How many of the houses on your estate are ex-council? I'm sure your "minority party" doesn't approve of the selling of council housing, as I don't. Although that's as far as I my agreement goes. No ones been around here, saves me telling them all I'm voting for them. As with the last General Election, it's easier to know who not to vote, than who to vote for. The fact that five years ago the NHS wasn't a big issue, and I have been personally indebted on three occasions within that period to the skill and dedication of the NHS. So at least that rules out me voting Tory. |
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Post by Shadow on Apr 14, 2015 22:31:27 GMT 1
All of the private houses on my estate are ex-council-and Im in complete agreement with you-they should not have been sold.Speaking to those who bought the houses originally-they were sold at outrageously knock down prices.Many who bought them have since moved however-well lets face it-you buy a house for ten thousand quid then sell them privately for a hundred thousand-thats not a bad return is it.And Id agree with you about the main parties too.Privatisation of the NHS was taking place already under Labours watch-Tories aided by the treacherous Libdems in coalition continued it-and Farage has made no secret of his wish to start charging us for using it.Ive also been saying for years that we need to fight for the NHS before its too late-and that tipping point is upon us I think.People are finally realising what they might lose and hey presto-suddenly every party pledges to save the NHS-dont believe a single one of them.If any one of those parties gave a shit they'd have been fighting years back-its only now-with votes at stake that they start expressing concern-yeah right.
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Post by skintagain on Apr 23, 2015 8:46:07 GMT 1
I got a card from the Conservatives, if they want to save money not posting cards in areas like this would save them a few bob, I was wondering if the Greens post cards through peoples doors and how Green are they, is their manifesto wrote on recycled paper.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2015 9:45:41 GMT 1
Maybe you ought to a look the whole manifesto before nitpicking. They have so good points, and I'd rather see them have a few seats in the Commons than UKIP.
I got a UKIP leaflet though the door, what a load of rubbish! Only fit to wipe my backside on, but far too glossy for that.
So a complete waste of time and resources.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2015 15:45:32 GMT 1
Well we had the Labour Party round today, told them too late our postal votes have been posted.
They asked me would I mind telling them who we voted for, I told them UKIP lol. I just love winding up politicians :-)
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