The highlight of any Prospective Parliamentary Candidate is meeting the press, especially if that press is the editor of a not-for-profit media social enterprise, but there’s plenty more to fill the week than just hobbnobbing with us media types, and this is the week of Anna Pascoe Lib Dem PPC for South West Devon
Monday, November 16
The work-life balance of a parliamentary candidate usually entails buzzing round doorsteps, community meetings and slogging away on the laptop, suddenly to catch sight of the date and realise it’s a loved one’s birthday, or you’ve forgotten that doctor’s appointment that was really hard to get, or that you haven’t yet had time for breakfast and it’s dusk outside. Fortunately Ma Pascoe diplomatically enquired as to whether I would be at work or going to visit my aunty on her birthday a couple of days before and so managed to finish work a bit early to spend some time with her today. Finished off the day with a gym session and some campaign admin, working on a residents’ letter.
Tuesday, November 17
I had the day off from the hotel today, which meant one thing: more campaign admin! Given that it was the first day in about a fortnight that it wasn’t incessantly pelting down with rain, I did manage to intersperse crossing stuff off my To Do list with a couple of walks in the fresh air. By the time dusk fell I had got some printing quotes for my next survey, emailed lots of residents in response to their casework enquiries and put together some more copy for my website. Most remarkable of all, I’d actually done some home cooking! The evening heralded netball – sadly our match had been cancelled so it was practising drills ready for next week.
Wednesday, November 18
More casework today, working on a problem a lady in Plymstock is facing. Sadly the fair weather had not lasted, so I spent the first half of the day plumped at my laptop catching up on emails before heading to Woolwell to check out some traffic problems. After a spot of tea (with apple pie for pudding I have to confess), it was over to Yealmpton for a campaign team meeting to discuss next year’s Plymouth City Council elections in Plymtpon and Plymstock. It was great to welcome a new member to the team as well, who I look forward to working with. Always one for supporting local businesses, a pint in aptly-named pub The Volunteer rounded off the day.
Thursday, November 19
The day dawned with a hectic schedule of meetings ahead. I got up early to ring a local resident who had asked to meet with me and to put in some more work on my campaign environmental policy to ease my way in to things. Fate was clearly not a Liberal Democrat this sunny Thursday, as despite arriving 20 minutes early for my meeting with CityBus MD John Ackroyd, I managed to follow the sign to reception in the direction of a locked gate and then had to walk all the way back round onto the main road at a brisk pace to try and make it there on time. A generous local bird bestowed some “good luck” upon me en route to eventually arriving just after 11am. John had some great insights into promoting public transport as the smarter, convenient and people-focused option that it can be when operators consider their social impact. I look forward to feeding some of his wisdom in my environmental policy.
Unfortunately, I was enjoying chatting to John so much that I ended up running late for my meeting with PRSD editor Lee Morgan, although Google Maps played a significant role in exacerbating this! I was interested to hear Lee’s plans to promote Devon and Cornwall as destinations for those who already live here to enjoy as much as our visitors do.
Friday, November 20
Long long long (long) day of interviews at work for a new marketing development manager role today. It was refreshing to see how much young local talent there is in the South West. After nine hours though, all panellists agreed that a swift half was in order (also local of course)! I rustled up a quick plate of pasta in a fug of tiredness before rushing off to an AGM, followed by a netball match. All my voicemails today were probems that couldn’t wait and so I finally finished the rounds of mentoring and moral support for friends and colleagues at around 11pm, with a 6am rise to look forward to…
Saturday, November 21
Feeling a tad more alert than expected, I headed up to Ivybridge, first of all to nip in the bud the ever-increasing contrast between my highlights and my natural hair colour. The lovely people at A Salon Called Fish looked after me well and I was particularly grateful for the loan of an umbrella so that I could stay something resembling dry as I walked round Ivybridge after getting to know some local people.
At 2pm masses of residents crammed in to the Chapel Place meeting room to hear what local politicians and representatives from Viridor had to say about the proposed Lee Mill incinerator. I tweetcasted live from the meeting (you can read what happened via my Twitter page). Neither the Viridor reps nor the Devon county councillor demonstrated much knowledge of either incineration as a technology or how to engage with people about their waste disposal. I look forward to getting more involved with the anti-incineration campaign over the coming weeks.
Sunday, November 22
The end of the week arrived and time had whizzed by. Caught up with giving feedback to unsuccessful job applicants at work and wished them the very best for the future. It took me back to my days as a timid graduate blushing my way through interviews and also reminded me how few employers actually bother to give interviewees tips to help them achieve the role they aspire to next time round. Although by the end of the working day, the thought of exercise was about as attractive as the prospect of joining the Tory party, I forced myself to head over to a friend’s and felt much better after an hour of putting ourselves through our paces.
Week 3 drew to a close over a meal out with a mate and a liberal soaking on the walk back from the restaurant.
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