Just back from whizzing about Italy on a motorbike, and I find it's all happening in Municipopolis with just ten days to go before the VOTE.
Yesterday I was out with another member of the list doing door-to-door visits. This is a good way of really getting to the heart of local issues because people will talk face-to-face much more than they will in a general meeting. The personal touch is appreciated too. By most.
One guy didn't want to talk to us. Either he is a staunch opposer of our (obviously terrifying) team, or he thought we were aliens come to abduct him. Or he didn't want to be bothered by all that politics malarkey. Everyone else was absent, it being half term.
Well, not quite. We did have a good chat with one guy who lives in an idyllic spot at the end of a lane with fields on one side and one other house in the neighbourhood. He is very happy with his lot as well he might be.
Following the door-to-door, I attended the public part of a local council meeting, but not for long. About five minutes in fact, just the time to hear the resignations of three members of the council who are on our list (including the mayoral candidate) and we were out.
We - the other listers - were there to give The Three moral support, and we were so numerous extra chairs had to be brought in. We created quite a rumpus.
Then it was down to the election office for a bit of knees-up. Well, we were all present, things had gone as they should, and it seemed a shame to drift off back home. So we got out the wine and snacks and made the most of the rest of the evening. That's what I like about this team - they are very merry and up for an apero at every opportunity.
I'm finding that being on the team is a great way to meet other people in the village. Even if we don't win the election, it'll be a personal win for me as I'm having a very entertaining time and meeting some interesting, friendly neighbours.
That sounds great to be as involved as that! And it is such a great way to meet neighbours and people you wouldn't normally come across. We did campaign for the Mayor (who won) but she's been an out and out disaster, not dishonest, just hopeless in a crisis, more of a community agitator or school board member than a good Mayor. Some people are made to lead and others need to contradict I think. Good luck in the elections - I'd vote for you. (Funny also that with our person, she won by going door to door tirelessly which the other richer opponent did not bother to do, do you're on the right track!)
ReplyDeleteThe other candidate is not doing door-to-door either. This gives me hope. :)
DeleteWhat a shame the woman you supported turned out to be a dud.
Shame you live so far away and can't vote for me. :D
Your bunch sound a lot better than the PTA crowd...
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for your success!
Yes they are! The IQ level is a lot higher too... which may, or may not, have something to do with it. :)
DeleteHere you wouldn't know that there were elections coming up. For the moment we haven't had any news from the "équipe sortante", and we have been carefully ignored by the opposing list, who put letters in our neighbour's letter boxes on both sides, but not in ours. Bloody foreigners, hey? I got my mitts on their written effort anyway and have decided that I won't vote for anyone who goes overboard with the exclamation marks.
ReplyDeleteI quite agree! Here, our wannabe maire has written a 'J'accuse' tract about our candidate. Considering the historical weight of this expression and that it's "a common generic expression of outrage and accusation against someone powerful", the fact that the wannabe has used it so flippantly shows he is not fit for office.
DeleteI don't think his heart is fit for office either from the torrid look of him...
Poor old Zola would turn in his grave. All that work, just to be used as a cheap election ploy. Pfft.
DeleteI know! I hope I'm not the only voter to feel outraged.
DeleteI'm glad it's proving to be a sociable process as well as a political one. It must take some nerve to do the door-knocking thing. Is is easier in a group and are the people courteous to you?
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit nerve-wracking but we do it in pairs so it could be worse. Most of the houses were empty on my round but the people we did meet were fine. There was just one old codger who didn't give us the time of day. No loss!
DeleteI admire your approach. Grassroots campaigning is the key to succeeding in any election. You've gotta go out and speak directly with voters, in order to fully understand and appreciate their wants and needs. So many politicians fail to connect with the voting public on a personal basis.
ReplyDeleteWell done young lady!
Thanks, DD. Many people have told us that they appreciate our efforts to meet the voters. :)
DeleteGood for you! Getting more involved with local politics or just the community generally is on my list of "Things I Would Do if Only I Had Any Time At All In My Life" much like writing a blog, really!
ReplyDeleteMy DB is quite glad it's all over as he didn't see much of me during the campaigning!
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