HoLords reform hits the skids

[Serial_Apologist]

And I could give worse examples ...

I well remember canvassing for Labour during the 1979 election, and on polling day taking senior citizens previously committed to us along to vote. One, wheelchair-bound, had to be brought down by lift from the 14th floor of a council block, helped into and out of our car with considerable difficulty, twice, and made sure she was returned safely to her 14th floor flat. "Thank you, dears, I remembered to put my cross for the Conservative".

That just about summed up in my memory the election that brought Thatcher to power.

At another door, a loud bang on the other side, preceded by barking, greeted our leaflet, followed by snarling and growling, and sounds of paper being shredded and undoubtedly chewed up. In the window was a sign, which read, "GIVE BLOOD".

[french frank]

I'm sure we could write a book, S-A. I remember once delivering a leaflet, walked back down the path and just when I reached the double gates they automatically closed, shutting me in the garden.

I walked back up to the house again and just when I reached the front door I heard the gates opening again. Fortunately, the charming owner didn't continue with the "joke". (Bit like a Hoffnung story - remember the load of bricks?)

[Lateralthinking1]

My first of not very many canvassing evenings. A council estate in York. Two children sitting on their front garden wall.

"Oh, are your parents in?"
"Are you a friend of our Mum?"
"Er, no, I am delivering leaflets on behalf of the SDP".
"Do you want to see our Mum then?"
"Yes, that would be good if she is available".

As I am marched across the garden, it becomes clear that it will be the side door rather than the front door. The side door is open and I call out "hello, hello". There is no answer. Already I have decided that the next house would be better.

"Why are you standing there?"
"Well, I'm waiting to speak to your Mum".
"What's wrong with you - come in".
"I really don't think that I....."
"Come in".

So it was that we walked through the kitchen, down what seemed like an awfully long hall, and into the living room. There I was pointed towards the adjoining dining room. The theme to Eastenders began just as I got there to announce my arrival. And at the table, a man and woman eating egg and chips, with "who the hell are you?" expressions on their faces.

"Sorry to trouble you, your children invited me in".

I looked behind me and was horrified to see that they had disappeared.

"I thought that you might be interested to have a leaflet".

The woman turned to the man and said something like "turn up the volume, Ken".

And that was it. I left. Not the easiest of experiences.

[french frank]

The woman turned to the man and said something like "turn up the volume, Ken".

Me: 'Good evening. I'm the SDP candidate for Clifton in the city council election.'

Him: 'Goodbye.'

And the door was briskly closed in my face

[Flosshilde]

That's the best way to deal with weird people who call un-invited.

[french frank]

That's the best way to deal with weird people who call un-invited.

Politicians may be rubbish, but the general public is ten times worse!

[Serial_Apologist]

That's the best way to deal with weird people who call un-invited.

A bit unkind, even if not intended so. We complain when canvassers don't bother to canvass, saying it indicates particular (or all) parties just don't care about the sorts of people who inhabit this district, and when they do...

I'm always polite, either never giving anything away, (eg "I'll decide on the day") or else telling them I support one of the other lot. If they then ask which, I tell them, "Ok then, the Greens, if you really have to know".

As I say, always polite.

[Flosshilde]

Actually, I don't just shut the door - I usually say "Not today, thank you" before shutting it.

As you say, always polite.


In the case of a candidate for a party one didn't like or support, one should sympathise & ask if none of the other parties would have them?

[mangerton]

ff, lat - interesting tales of canvassing. Based on my experience, I don't think you had the brass neck required for the job. In 1974, I was still living with my parents in the Renfrewshire (West) constituency. Middle of evening meal, 6.30ish. Doorbell sounds. I go to answer it. Man at door. "Good evening. I'm Mr Nonentity, your toerag candidate. Is your father in?" (Note the ageism and sexism here. I was of an age to vote. My mother was there, but wasn't apparently wanted.) I said, "Wait here. I'll let them know who it is." Regardless, the toerag followed me into the dining room, where my parents were yet eating. He said, sniffily, "I don't suppose there's really much need to call here. After all, in an area like this........" My father, thoroughly annoyed at being disturbed, began, "Oh, I wouldn't be too sure about that!" And continued in like vein.

Exit toerag in confusion. The toerags did not win that seat, nor indeed the election.

[Lateralthinking1]

ff, lat - interesting tales of canvassing. Based on my experience, I don't think you had the brass neck required for the job. In 1974, I was still living with my parents in the Renfrewshire (West) constituency. Middle of evening meal, 6.30ish. Doorbell sounds. I go to answer it. Man at door. "Good evening. I'm Mr Nonentity, your toerag candidate. Is your father in?" (Note the ageism and sexism here. I was of an age to vote. My mother was there, but wasn't apparently wanted.) I said, "Wait here. I'll let them know who it is." Regardless, the toerag followed me into the dining room, where my parents were yet eating. He said, sniffily, "I don't suppose there's really much need to call here. After all, in an area like this........" My father, thoroughly annoyed at being disturbed, began, "Oh, I wouldn't be too sure about that!" And continued in like vein.

Exit toerag in confusion. The toerags did not win that seat, nor indeed the election.

I didn't have the brass neck for it. I am totally useless as a salesman and was generally very jittery. My last occasion was probably the time when very early in the stint a senior citizen in the street - a Geordie - wanted to tell me about "the wonderful Ellen Wilkinson". He was so interesting and I polite in those days that an hour or so must have passed.

Later, I was advised by party members on how to manage situations of that kind and I just thought "I don't see it as a situation to be managed". I haven't delivered a leaflet since the mid to late 1980s.

[ahinton]

Well, I've never done any part political canvassing and wouldn't dream of doing it - and perhaps one reason could be that which happened to a friend who once did, during a General Election. He turned up on a doorstep and rang the doorbell, whereupon a man opened the door almost immediately.

"Good evening", said my friend. "Sorry to disturb you, but I thought that I'd interest you in this leaflet for the Liberal Democrats..."
"Then your thoughts are sadly misplaced", interrupted the man.
"Oh", said my friend; "is there any particular reason?"
"Indeed there is", said the man; "I happen to be the Conservative candidate in this constituency".

Dorothy Parker couldn't have done it better...