It’s going very well on the ground here so far. We’re finding that issues people are keen to talk about haven’t shifted massively in the last few months, as the economy and jobs for people in Keighley are a top priority for voters.
We’ve been doorknocking here every week since I was selected, working hard to talk to as many people as possible.
The power of talking to people face-to-face is just fantastic, and we’re now out three times a day.
This is definitely paying off, and people do recognise us as we go around – only yesterday two people ran after me and gave me a hug!
We’re doing all the usual campaigning, from doorknocking and talking to people at school gates, to meeting voters outside factories and sending out targeted mail to address people’s concerns and answer their questions.
In contrast, Kris Hopkins, the Tory PPC, appears to be part of a much more centralised campaign controlled by the Tories nationally as none of his leaflets have any local messages.
Perhaps this lack of localisation is the real Achilles’ heel for a candidate receiving Ashcoft money…
I wanted to stand here in Keighley because I think it’s a fascinating seat and needed a candidate who’d be a campaigning MP.
I’ve come from a campaign route myself, and it would be nice to follow in the footsteps of a feisty female MP, Ann Cryer.
The Conservatives themselves have said to just look at their councils to know what they’d be like in Government, and we’re holding them to that here.
One of the best parts of the campaign so far has been the level of support coming from people, and even those who aren’t Labour Party members.
We’ve had a number of non-members helping us, who are very powerful activists for us as they show, that at this election, Labour is the natural home for people if they want to avoid a Tory Government.
What’s going to win this is turnout and, actually, the Conservative’s billboard posters have proved a turn off to voters here. Their negative, personal slant is keeping Tory supporters at home.
Under scrutiny, the Conservatives just don’t have a good case to put forward to the people of Keighley, and this is what we keep hearing from people on the doorstep.