The first day of rain on the campaign trail

Day 20: Probably even less expected than the polls has been the weather. The light rain will help farmers a bit but more is needed. Anyway, no dampening of enthusiasm for the intrepid small band in Elmsett today.
Some more posters up and the lack of loyalty to the main parties is more evident. People sense something extraordinary and the result nationally will probably be the end of the "1st past the post" system. The Observer runs a brilliant piece on the political make up of the UK based on share of the vote and number of seats under the present sysytem. Each one is called either "grotesque, beyond parody or democratically abominable."
Looking at the polls, do even the Tories secretly wish we had PR?

Meeing Places

Day 19: The morning in Hadleigh is a chance to meet and greet shoppers. A good reception and I also join the local Guides at an event for an impromptu photo as they try to raise funds for a trek around the Isle of Man to raise money for Save the Children.

Lunchtime brings Sudbury Market Hill and a chance to meet and greet more shoppers and some canvassing in the town centre streets. Get a few shouts from cars that sounded supportive or was that wishful thinking? Its still a unusual feeling walking around with a rosette on where you normally shop!

Today brings 2 recent former soldiers raising the issue that the army still need better kit and the difficulty injured former soldiers have with the benefits system. Its a scandal that needs to be changed quickly.

Finish the day with the article on the EADT website about the upsurge to us putting Mr Yeo at risk.

How can 3 years go so quick?

Day 18: Bogged down in the nicest sense with Yr 11 school reports. How can 3 years pass so quick? It seems like only a few months ago that my tutor group were newbies to the Upper School and now in less than a month they leave or go into the Sixth Form. Its the most difficult job putting into a few sentences their successes and areas for improvement on a report when you've got to know them so well. People do not understand what goes into this career.

Join Bryn Hurren (local councillor) in Edwardstone for the hidden treasures of South Suffolk. The roads make you feel you are going round in a circle but the landscape is truely amazing on a glorious sunny evening and despite the number of shingle drives that do untold damage to the soles, its a good evening. The local pub, the White Horse, is a lovely finishing stop and some good discussion is held with the locals in the bar over a locally brewed beer.

A safer place to live.

Day 17: Councillor duties must not be ignored. Chair Safer Neighbourhood Panel for Sudbury and Great Cornard where residents raise issues and the team feedback on the progress of the previous months priorities. The hot, sunny weather in the school holiday has set off some unpleasant anti social and nuisance behaviour. The Police team are excellent and explain the new powers they will use and resources for their PCSOs to use. We re-set 2 priorities on Broom St and Gaol Lane and a new one for Acton Lane. The team really do care about their community and the residents know they are working ever so hard to solve it. The public also appreciate this contact and feedback with the Police eventhough they get fustrated. I'm sure the the Officers also appreciate the thanks they get too at this meeting.

In the evening its back to Clare. Meet up with the team and have a very positive session out on the doorstep. There are alot of genuinely undecided voters. The leader debate has continued to spark interest and some real exchange of views are now taking place on the doorstep. :)

Question Time Round 1

Day 16: Radio Suffolk Question Time recorded with all 4 candidates due to be aired 30th April. This is question time with first time voters in the Prospect Theatre at GCUS. A very good range of questions from job prospects, health priorities, fuel prices, higher education, "free schools" policy and expenses.
A good natured affair on the whole with just 1 exchange of hostility between Yeo and Campbell-Bannerman on Mr Yeo's expenses which was clearly pre-planned by UKIP. The audience was the 17-18 year olds, it was their questions but didn't the sitting MP and MEP play to the radio audience. As a result the feedback from the young people and staff was clear that I had been the most direct in answering the questions.

Next, Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, beautiful location and buidings and a thoughtful and lively Q & A after I spoke for a short period to introduce myself, explain why I'm a Lib Dem and what the main policies issues are. I really enjoyed it, a highlight so far, time flew by.
Good luck to Lizzie the student Lib Dem candidate there.

Balancing act

Day 15: Back to work today, lovely to see tutor group and students. Lots of interesting questions from them, this is a balancing trick and a half with the campaign. An evening in Glemsford with local councillor Rex Thake. Bump into the first opponents out and about as a Tory leaflet is delivered.

7am start

Day 14: Monday is a 7am opening of Jacquis cafe in North Street, Sudbury. Great breakfasts, good drinks and great staff. This is an offshoot from staff from the Waggon & Horses. I hope they have every success with their venture.

Back to work. Budget update and realisation that school budgets are being cut or frozen now! The Tories at Suffolk have reduced the size of the pot for SEN and the Government have frozen money for Sixth Form via the LSC. No account of pay award in the funding. No redundancies but other schools are.

Evening is over to help Kathy Pollard with a residents survey on 4 streets in Pinewood near the new Suffolk One Sixth form centre about the proposed parking restrictions. Great doorstep councillor work getting the views of residents whether for or against the proposals so views can be represented accurately. Lib Dem Councillors work hard for you and Kathy especially.