Tackling the days-to-doors ratio! On the campaign trail with Lib Dem Anna Pascoe

By Anna Pascoe, on Friday, April 30, 2010

South West Devon Lib Dem candidate Anna Pascoe heads into the final fortnight of campaigning with 42,000 doors to knock, which makes quite a high days to doors ratio! Take it away Anna…

Monday, April 19
The week started with a day shift at work, but once everything had been finished off I got to leave a bit early and headed out to deliver some leaflets.

The couple of weeks since winning Argyle tickets in the Twestival charity auction had soon slipped by and today was the big day. Collected my younger sister and headed to Home Park for the relegation clash between Plymouth and Newcastle. I haven’t been to a live football match for a long time, so it was a nice treat, but just sad that Newcastle capitalised on their chances to end with a 2-0 victory and consigning Argyle to Division One next year.

Tuesday, April 20
It was another lovely sunny day so sis and I had a pleasant breakfast on the Barbican before she had to go to work. Today was the offiicial close of nominations for the parliamentary election and the ceremony at the council chambers. Was interested to see that the Green Party raised a candidate at the last minute for South West Devon – it’s going to have to be quite some campaign from them in the final fortnight to make an impact – 42,000 doors to knock on is quite a days-to-doors ratio!

Final netball training of the season was a girls v boys end of season friendly. Managed to reawaken my longstanding duff ankle injury just a couple of days ahead of becoming a full-time candidate.

Wednesday, April 21
The day shift at work today was my last day so there were a lot of ends to be tied up, things to discuss and plan for, and all of this not knowing whether I’d ever be coming back if the election turns out favourably!

Went to the gym after work before a friend came over to have a chat, but put up with me tapping away replying to emails at the same time. Got a tactful text message at about quarter past midnight after she’d gone home saying ‘It’s really time to turn off Google Mail now!’, so I took the hint and left the burgeoning inbox until the morning.

Thursday, April 22
Began the day with some campaign admin then went to the Ridgeway School mock election in Plympton. In true Polling Station style, we weren’t allowed to canvass for votes inside the hall, but did have the chance to chat to the school’s candidates for each party and answer questions from students and teachers.

Then whizzed over to Heart FM to record a short interview on priorities for the city and a one minute manifesto, before resuming doorknocking in Ivybridge.

A tradition of every campaign is to hold an official adoption meeting once the election has been called proper – a chance for local party members to get together and formally adopt the parliamentary candidate. We chose the Foxhound in Brixton for the meeting, as the village my nan grew up in.

With all the formalities over, just about got back home in time for the second Leaders’ Debate and some campaign admin in front on the TV. Was good to see Nick Clegg continuing to impress.

Friday, April 23
Myself and Andy the Aide spent a full morning in Plymstock today doorknocking and chatting to residents. Had lunch at the Lemon Tree with their awesome paninis, before returning to the doorknocking in the afternoon. Popped home to freshen up and then attended the Pomphlett Methodist Church hustings in the evening, answering questions on topics from fox hunting to who was to blame for the credit crunch.

Saturday, April 24
Spent some time with my Mum today, at Camborne’s Trevithick Day festival, and then helped out with Julia Goldsworthy’s campaign delivering lots of letters around her constituency. Had a most welcome Chinese takeaway in the evening!

Sunday, April 26
More leafleting today, followed by masses of campaign admin getting organised for the final push in the lead-up to Polling Day. It’s going to be a busy time, but really exciting – the political climate is changing and it’s inspiring to be a part of that.