Before today the most frightening experience of my life was my driving test(s). I failed three times and was a nervous wreck before each one. Since then I’ve handled the things that came my way – exams, public speaking, serious work and personal conflicts, being stranded abroad, family loss – without too many worries. But today was the worst ever.
I went on my first canvass.
I knocked on people’s doors to explain who I was and to ask them for their views on local issues.
I was accompanied by a past master who taught me what to do and explained that a thick skin was essential. In fact, I was surprised how pleasant everyone was: I’m not sure I would have been if a strange couple had bothered me in that way. (Actually, by co-incidence a couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses called on me that morning. Recognising what I would be doing later, I was very polite.)
The other thing that struck me was the high percentage of people who expressed a real disillusion with politics and politicians – to the extent of wondering about the point of voting. The hardest question for me was when one of the disillusioned asked if I agreed with him a bit. Well, yes, I did. But that is one of the reasons I want to get involved. Power does corrupt – not financially, perhaps, but behaviourally. There is a gap between governing and governed. So just as Obama says, its time for a change. I want to provide some practical common sense. But most importantly I want people to take an interest and vote.
By the way – why does (almost) every house in rural Northumberland (including mine) not display its name or number? It couldn’t be to put off political canvassers could it?
I went on my first canvass.
I knocked on people’s doors to explain who I was and to ask them for their views on local issues.
I was accompanied by a past master who taught me what to do and explained that a thick skin was essential. In fact, I was surprised how pleasant everyone was: I’m not sure I would have been if a strange couple had bothered me in that way. (Actually, by co-incidence a couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses called on me that morning. Recognising what I would be doing later, I was very polite.)
The other thing that struck me was the high percentage of people who expressed a real disillusion with politics and politicians – to the extent of wondering about the point of voting. The hardest question for me was when one of the disillusioned asked if I agreed with him a bit. Well, yes, I did. But that is one of the reasons I want to get involved. Power does corrupt – not financially, perhaps, but behaviourally. There is a gap between governing and governed. So just as Obama says, its time for a change. I want to provide some practical common sense. But most importantly I want people to take an interest and vote.
By the way – why does (almost) every house in rural Northumberland (including mine) not display its name or number? It couldn’t be to put off political canvassers could it?
3 comments:
I guess you have more chance of finding farms around here, rather than an individual house! My farm is clearly marked. I did have one canvasser here last year who took the trouble to come up the half mile farm road and he handed me a flyer with a smile. It's good for such a small community to get to know their candidates face to face instead of through a picture and folded sheet of A4.
Crystal xx
I agree. But don't be surprised if the smile is a bit forced!
I'm sure it was, as was mine.
C xx
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