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Falling Out With Parris in Clacton
Several weeks ago Matthew Parris, a man who writes like an angel and whose politics I have long admired, really made me angry. I have quoted Mr Parris on this blog many times, including his abhorrence...
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New-fangled technology
Being an uber-nerd I am happy to admit reading a detailed account of the 1987 General Election (690 pages of charts and psephological data from Dennis Kavanagh).There's a chapter about how the various...
View ArticleHotel room available in Birmingham
One of our local members has just phoned to say he is unable to attend Party Conference due to a last minute diary clash. He has an option on a double room at the Ibis Budget Hotel in Birmingham City...
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Another first from West Kent Towers
Following our acclaimed "Open Primary" in Tonbridge & Malling which led to the selection of Tom Tugendhat, I am delighted to report the Chatham & Aylesford will be piloting a "postal primary"...
View ArticleBut we tried it before and it failed...
I recall a colleague who was in-situ as a constituency agent for many years telling me how he "dusted off"Â previous year's leaflets, changed the name and date, and printed them again without anyone...
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Hello Clacton - Conservatives Calling!
The West Kent Phone Bank will be in full swing tomorrow (Friday) calling residents in Clacton for GOTPV. If you can assist for an hour or two from 11am, call Jon Botten on 01732 842794.
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That Was The Week That Was - Part 1
First of all - apologies for no blogging - it's been quite a week.I am starting to blog again, but if you are hoping for gossip, rumours or inside tidbits about the by-election, I am afraid you will be...
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That Was The Week That Was - Part 2
For part one - see HEREBy now both phones were ringing furiously. One third of the calls were people telling us what we already knew. Another third were people telling us their views on what we...
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Who is this charming man?
Today's post brought a lovely card of thanks for the'brief catch-up at conference' and for "introducing the me to (x), and for your kind words". Whoever sent this letter is very thoughtful and has...
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Chatham & Aylesford's Local Government Postal Primary
Prior to the resignation resulting in the Rochester and Strood Parliamentary By Election, Chatham & Aylesford Conservatives agreed to trial a Postal Primary to select two local government...
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King of the Trolley
I am pleased to report that our very own Director of Paperclips might soon be Cllr Paperclips, after his triumph of tonight's Tonbrige branch local government selection meeting. Gordon Brown may well...
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Cosy in the lift
Further to last week's blogpost about our telephone canvassing team at West Kent Towers getting trapped in the broken lift, I am grateful to one of the team for sending me this photograph. Judging by...
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A sign of things to come?
My favourite independent coffee shop in Rochester High Street is owned and run by two guys who are both immigrants. One is American and his partner is French. They have lived, worked and paid taxes in...
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A day on the Campaign Trail in Rochester & Strood
It's been a long but really productive day on the campaign trail in Rochester & Strood, with a packed agenda of canvassing, leafleting and campaign activity. It was great to welcome old friends and...
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Wilco - and out!
There was a whoop of delight in West Kent Towers this afternoon when I spotted a bargain. A random Google search uncovered the UKs cheapest supply of ring binders: the discount retailer Wilco. Just 40p...
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Making history in Rochester and Strood
Those who know me or read my blog regularly will know I am a passionate advocate of opening the democratic process and allowing the widest possible public participation in candidate selections. I have...
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Brighton's Most Wanted
Security patrols are on the look-out for a gang of slightly eccentric people; one with a odd haircut and wearing red Dr Martens, and another short balding man with a Sarf London accent and smelling of...
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A random act of kindness
I had an impromptu lunch break today with Chatham & Aylersford MP Tracey Crouch.We were in a cafe many miles from her constituency, where she was unknown and unrecognised. At the adjoining table an...
View ArticleWith friends like these...
The Campaign Centre where I am based is also responsible for bundling and distributing literature to the other Campaign Centres in the constituency. I am grateful to a small army of volunteers who come...
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