My postal vote arrived

My postal vote arrived today. How exciting!

There is not much political activity in my area, Islington North but Laura Willoughby has my vote. Her poster is in my window. Hate to admit it but don't really think she stands an earthly. My local party don't believe in a popularity vote but unfortunately around here the longstanding Labour Candidate, Jeremy Corbyn is a kind of local celeb. For a Lib Dem candidate to win, it needs a strong charismatic personality, somebody who interacts with the community and the residents can relate to.

I also received an email to find out if I am up to delivering 5am on election morning. That's not so exciting but what can I say. It has to be done.

When campaigning gets a bit scary

Travelled to Leceister South with my friend Kishwer Falkner. It's good to have the chance to have a girly (not sure how you spell that word) chat with somebody who one can confide in.

Parmjit Singh Gill is our candidate there and he is always pleased to see us. His staff were delighted that a Baroness came to their office. Not that Kishwer is one of those that promotes herself but it is a moral boosting tactic.

It was decided to give out leaflets after the Rugby match Leicester v Toulouse. It seemed a good idea at the time but as they lost to the French the mood of the crowd was quite depressing. Many leaflets were taken but it was scary when they all piled out and we were 4 souls in the midst of the seemingly never ending crowd.

No rest for campaigners

I've not had much time to update my blog for the past few days. I try to write something everyday but the campaign takes priority and often it is a case of falling asleep. My emails are suffering as well. So many piling up to answer. I've got into the habit of skimming through for the urgent one's and leaving the rest pending.

I arrived to open Lynne's HQ 15 mins early and already there were 3 people waiting for me ouside.
They were a keen as mustard ready to help. I was very impressed.

Pleased that today the remaining electoral address was packed for delivery to the Post Office.
What a job and I can only give thanks to the volunteers who came in to help. Most were returning from early morning deliveries and sat down for a cup of tea but decided to stay.
It was completed late in the night and it was so good to see all the boxes stacked, labelled and ready to go.

Having a day off tomorrow. I wish I could say to rest but no, it's off to Leicester South.

A day to make even the Saints swear.

Today has just been one of those days where from morning to night there has been nothing but chaos. They say it never rains but pours when you least expect it.

I try to watch the Lib Dem press conference 7.30 every morning but before it finished today Thames Water started again with their drilling outside.
It seems one of the key points along the pipelines is in front of my house so every time they test a new area they have to open up the road again and drain the water from the old pipes. It really is testing one’s patience.

Stortly after a so called expert bath-fitter arrived.
My flat is in a property that is listing and really needs underpinning so every time it rains the building moves and something happens which usually affects my bathroom. The bath moves and has actually dropped about 6 inches. It has been an ongoing saga for years and because of the prohibitive cost of repairing street properties it is a case of patch-up management until the PFI contract starts. I've had visits from so many surveyors and temporary repairs done over the years that it's becoming unbearable.

The bath as it is, is dangerous. The so called expert walked into my flat with great muddy boots, dismantled part of the frame and tried to reposition the legs. The end result is a bath that is now set away from the wall. The frame is destroyed and the tiles broken. It looks like a war zone in there.
He left saying he would book a carpenter and a tiler. After spending nearly one and a half hours on the job I would have respected him more if he had said he couldn’t do the job and left it as it was.
To top it all he threw all the broken tiles on the ground by the gate. With the dustbins not more than a foot away that was just too much to take. Enough is enough. I’m not waiting until 2007 when my flat is going to be brought up to standard.............Watch this space!

After all that, I rushed off to Lynne’s office dressed smarter than the last few days erroneously believing no more dust and boxes.

The Royal Mail boxes were again being sorted. Just about to start on the 3rd batch when we were informed the batching instructions were wrong. 54 boxes all had to be rechecked. Looking on the brighter side of things I managed to co-opt one strong young man, Bjorg who was about to go out delivering to help me lift and sort the boxes. In the middle of all that his trousers split. I had to admire him carrying on with the heavy lifting hoping that the trouser leg would not completely tear away.
He rushed off home to change and Lynne’s sister Della arrived. Oh boy! was I pleased to see her.

Bjorg returned and we managed to finish the lot just before the van arrived to take them away. That was another mammoth task but we did it.

Wondering how I was going to get home so late all covered in dust again, Lynne like a knight in shining armour unexpectedly arrived so I got a lift.

Roll on tomorrow........

Other leaflets thru' my door

I had to come home early tonight to recharge my batteries.
It's nice to be able to wash my hair and get rid of the smell of paint that has stuck to me for the past few days.

Just received my first leaflet from the Islington Green Party. A good quality print job but it doesn't say much. Most of what they are saying is part of the green thread that runs though all Lib Dem policies.

People complain of getting too many leaflets but it doesn't seem to have happened where I live.
Come on where are they? I just love to read them all.

Wow! more people & more space

More people turned up today. With a constant pile of deliveries it is very encouraging. Some new comers were slightly bemused to see us working surrounded by boxes expecting painters and decorators on a Sunday.

I was on tender hooks praying the workers would actually turn up. Sunday is one of those days when people are apt to change their minds at the last minute. They arrived a bit later than they promised but at least they turned up

Wonders! The second room is finished. The workers were so good they carried all the furniture and boxes positioning them where I directed. I was so happy I didn't have to struggle with the lot. Sometimes it is nice to be a woman and considered the weaker sex.

A quick polish and everything set out we now have space. It's just great..........

The third room should be ready on Monday.

Role on next week.....

Who should you vote for?

The Lib Dems seem to be the preferred choice in this poll.
Have a go yourself............

http://www.whoshouldyouvotefor.com/

Fun site - Bush & Blair

The election is causing a flurry of interesting websites.

In a lighter mood. http://www.gbjab.com/

Simon Hughes supporting Lynne

Simon Hughes joined Lynne on the campaigning trail today. People are always 'chuffed' to see a well-known figure on their doorstep. Simon charismatic personality just charms people.

Lynne is a star within the party as well as in her constituency and we expect to see more key party members coming to help us as the campaign hots up

It was wonderful to see so many party members from across London coming into the office to help. They didn't seem to mind the painting, the smell and noise from the rooms next door as the contractors are rushing to finish the renovations so we can have some extra space. The landlord is cracking the whip......he wants Lynne to win.

For those of us fronting the desk it is difficult to work in such conditions but hopfully it will be completed tomorrow. Yes on Sunday. The contractors are under pressure from myself as well. They keep laughing everytime I go in to see how far they are progressing.

I'm feeling guilty

Election time means less time for my grandson.


My darling Naim

Friday buses

What a nightmare to get from Archway to Lynne’s party HQ. A journey of 20 took almost 2 hours. Have you even sat on a bus that’s just crawling along and the traffic going in the opposite direction is crawling at the same pace. Ambulances and polices cars flashing to get past but nobody can see the obvious reason for the hold up. (in Nigeria they call it 'go slow' which is a very apt description)

Least we closed after 9 pm tonight.

Burning the midnight oil

What a day! After organising the constant stream of helpers, stuffing envelopes, writing addresses on envelopes Neil, Lynne’s agent arrived late with the first batch of the election address envelopes that needed to be bundled and dispatched to the Royal Mail. The Royal mail has it’s own way or doing things and who are we to argue, they have to be prepared in the way the want otherwise they will not be delivered. Mark, nicknamed the slave driver is on the phone checking how things are progressing and insisting they have to go out tonight. What to do but to obey the *boss*. The gang of 5 which eventually dwindled down to 3 worked up to after 11 pm. I was beginning to see stars.

Neil's such a darling taking me home at night. It feels good to be appreciated.
Back home instead of bed it is answering the never-ending emails.

Oh well that is politics.....

Stuffing, stuffing and more stuffing

I wonder how the term stuffing became to be synonymous with politics. Some local parties refer to it as stuffing parties.
It almost sounds rude.

Documents come in and have to be enveloped in the thousands and dispatched according to schedule. It all depends on the volunteers how fast it can be done.

I’m good a organising everybody as they come and go. There are shouts for more envelopes, can I have some scrap paper, my pile has finished any more to do, what’s next, and it’s never ending. Then there’s sorting and boxing the finished mail. That’s another mammoth operation.
Lynne’s a star. In between canvassing, photo shots, press interviews and writing speeches, she spends time joining in. It motives the troops especially those from other parts of London who don’t know her personally.

The baby we have all been waiting for

Donald James Kennedy was born at 00:14 this morning

Lynne is adopted

Hornsey and Wood Green local party, last night officially adopt Lynne Featherstone as their Parlimentary Candidate.


Lynne and Ed Davey - a lucky shot picture

The turn out was amazing. The room was packed with members and supporters.
Lord Bill Rodgers ( ex-LibDem Leader in the Lords), Lord Tim Garden (military expert) and Ed Davey, MP came to lend their support.

It was completely coincidental that Andrew Gilligan's full page article about Lynne in the Evening Standard appeared the same night.
There was a great buzz in the room and momentum is high. It really is.

Lynne Featherstone's Campaign HQ

Three Compasses pub, 68 High Street, N8 (entrance via the pub).
It will be open 10am - 9:30pm seven days a week.and there is a great pub downstairs which also serves great food.

Lib Dems - *Battle bus Blog*

At today's rally Charles Kennedy pledged that the Liberal Democrats will fight a positive campaign based on real issues, not yah-boo politics.

The music for the campaign was also unveiled today. This is the Karelia Suite by Jan Sibelius, rearranged by Philip Pope. Plus we launched the Kennedy battle bus and the venue for their daily press conferences, designed by Stage Electric, at Local Government

Details were also announced of a 'battle bus blog' - an informal daily account, by Mr Kennedy's staff, of life on the campaign trail - kennedycampaign.org.

Sarah at that wedding

Having recorded the Royal wedding I sat down to watch what everybody was wearing.
Some of the womens hats were so 'cool'. I just love all the feathers. Just my type of style.

The politicians arrived and there was Sarah Kennedy heavily pregnant. I had to admire her couraged. She looked lovely but in that advanced stage of pregnacy I was amazed. I couldn't have done it because each time I was pregnant I could hardly walk during the last few days.

Then to sit on those hard chairs for all that time. I just wonder how she did it. She's a brave woman but I suppose it was a once in a life time wedding.

Thames Water nightmare!

A pretty picture but what a nightmare for the resident's in my area.
They say they are changing the pipes but how long will it take?

It's a never ending story...........

Hornsey & Wood Green campaign HQ opens!

Calling all Lynne Featherstone's supporters

The campaign HQ (shared with other parts of the party) opens on Saturday. It's above the Three Compasses pub on Hornsey High Street (entrance via the pub). It will be open 10am - 9:30pm seven days a week.

The Wedding at Powys Castle

The wedding of Lib Dem MP Lembit Öpik TV weathergirl Sian Lloyd.Lembit said, " We were aiming to tie the knot on October 5. However, it's just become impossible for me to spend time on the plans......It'll be a winter wedding now but still at Powys castle".

Lembit is such a funny guy and anything he does has to be different. I wonder if he will be playing his harmonica which he carries around with him everywhere.

Parliament Prorogued

The Commons has risen and will return for the State Opening 17th May 2005.

Prorogued - what a word. I wonder how many people would have to look that up in a dictionary.

Election 2005 * Day 2* – More deliveries

Err... sudden change in the weather, it's cold outside but deliveries have to be done.

Poll watchers

Following the polls is fasinating.
The BBC vote 2005 is up and running with their sliding scale thingi.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/polltracker/html/default.stm

Election 2005 * Day 1* – Off to a Flying Start

After all the media hype, finally we have the GE date confirmed as May 5th. It’s so exciting after all the weeks of planning.

All over the country Lib Dems have started delivering their ‘Flying Start’ leaflets.
Up and down steps, remembering to close gates, being friendly to those who open their doors is all part of the campaign. As a people-person I prefer canvassing or admin work but delivering is an integral part of any election campaign.
I don’t know how far I walked today. I just followed the map in an unfamiliar area.

It was rather chilly and I was so pleased that the candidate Lynne Featherstone dropped me off this evening near my house.
She’s a lovely person, so sincere and considerate of all her team.

Tomorrow is another day………

Changes by the Hour - Wonders never cease

The Royal wedding had to be changed to Saturday because of the funeral of the Pope on Friday.
Now we have the time of the Grand National at Aintree Races changed from 3.45 to 4.10 so there is no conflict with the wedding.

The mind boggles. I wonder how many race-goers will be watching the wedding?

Pope's Legacy

Pope John Paul 11 died tonight aged 84. Not being a religious person myself, I can only say that his legacy transcends religion. He died with great dignity. His death has an effect on everybody worldwide. May his soul rest in peace?

Personally I found the media coverage over the last few days ghoulish. It was difficult to watch the news. No privacy in dying - it seems to be the price to pay for being a public figure these days..........

The campaign trail the new way to stay slim

I've been canvassing again today in my favourite PPC's seat. It was hot but fun. People were more than willing to talk.
Tomorrow it's Leicester.............. here we come.

Walk ,walk ,walk and talk, talk, talk! At least it helps one's figure. It's the best exercise in the world.

Exciting campaigning resources

The party has launched our Internet campaigning resources page on it's web site - it allows our members and supporters to embed our message in to their web sites and blogs.
We hope it will be a popular feature.

Axe the Tax tour bus - what a laugh

The successful launch of the Axe the Tax campaign across London with a double decker bus attracting pan-wide London media coverage.

Yours truly followed the bus from the party HQ to Islington, Haringey, Brent and Southwark.

The response everywhere was quite amazing. People were actually waving to us. There were plenty of photo shots at all the stops. Apart from ducking and diving the low hanging branches at Highbury Fields in Islington, the whole event was amazing.

I got off the bus at Southwark where my son Sule's partner Natasha met us with my grandson Naim. It was worth the trip just to see him. He was included in the Southwark photos as a baby from the area.