Life on the campaign trail. Anna Pascoe, South West Devon Lib Dem candidate, election diary

By PRSD, on Sunday, April 25, 2010

Chips in front of the laptop, talking so much it makes your throat sore and keeping on top of the day job – it ain’t all plain sailing on the election trail. South West Devon Lib Dem candidate Anna Pascoe has been keeping a diary of what life’s really like as a candidate, here’s her latest. Take it away Anna…

Monday, April 12
The week began with a day shift at work, followed by a session in the gym. As Polling Day gets closer and closer, the chance to do grocery shopping and then cook a meal even if I had been shopping is growing scarce. So it was a visit to the chippy for tea and then settling down in front of the laptop to deal with emails from residents.

Tuesday, April 13
Another day shift at work ensued and with not long to go before becoming a full-time candidate, it was a case of trying to fit everything in and make sure the newbies are settling in OK.

After rushing around all day, I thought I’d rush around all evening (just for a change!). Stretched out those doorstep-weary limbs with a swim and then had netball training. Worked on some more campaign admin when I got in for the evening, ready for my days off work and hitting the campaign trail proper again.

Wednesday, April 14
Began the day by working on emails before recording a short piece for Radio Plymouth – a minute manifesto style. Then it was my great pleasure to meet a young guy from Yealmpton who has kindly offered to be my aide for the rest of the campaign. He’ll be giving me a hand with anything and everything, from doorknocking, to leafleting, to press releases, to attending events. Thanks Andy!

Of course there’s no time like the present to get cracking and so we whizzed off to Ivybridge to spend the whole day knocking on doors and chatting to residents there. Not surprisingly the incinerator was at the forefront of many people’s minds with just a few days remaining to get in objections to Devon County Council.

After a quick meeting with another volunteer, it was time to grab a bite to eat and then off to the Pavilions to see a concert with my younger sister, before catching up with a few more emails before bedtime.

Thursday, April 15
The morning began with another session of knocking on doors in Ivybridge and another young volunteer! A student from Modbury this time kindly donated her services to the team and we managed to get through loads, and fit in a lunch at the Sportsman’s Arms to set us up to carry on into the afternoon. Whizzed in to the city centre after dropping them home to meet another student interested in getting involved. All great news and very excited, although I have gone from being the youngest member of the team to being in the middle in the space of a couple of days!

Got home for a spot of tea and time to do battle with the emails in advance of the first Leaders’ Debate. It was great to see the Lib Dems finally getting the media coverage they deserve and it certainly demonstrated that when people do get to hear what we have to say, they like it – with all exit polls showing Nick Clegg the clear winner.

Friday, April 16
The week of sunny weather prompted me to nip in to the city centre this morning to pick up some summery shoes and campaign clobber. Then it was over to Plymstock Library for a Candidates’ Question Time – an informal style Q&A session where local residents could grill Richard Smith, the Lib Dem candidate for the Dunstone ward, and myself. We made the most of the core campaign team all being in the same place to have a quick campaign meeting, to sketch out the next couple of weeks of action.

Then it was off home for a spot of tea and a freshen up before being questioned again later on, this time in front of a good crowd at Ivybridge for the Town Council hustings at The Watermark. My poor old voice was starting to dry up by mid-way through, but a kindly volunteer from the audience gave me a throat sweet to help me get to the end.

Saturday, April 17
Worked the day shift at the hotel today before dealing with some campaign admin after work. Headed out in the evening for a friend’s birthday meal.

Sunday, April 18
Spent the morning leafleting before settling down in front of the computer to put together my objection to Viridor’s proposed incinerator at Lee Mill. After a couple of hours of poring over planning application documents, I went for a quick stroll to clear my head before heading off to work and my final evening shift before becoming a full-time candidate.