Candidate: canvassing is a slog but very rewarding

Jun 5 2009 By Russell Butt

THE posters have been around for weeks now, the party political broadcasts have been on the television and some readers may even have had a candidate come to their door.

Election time. For some people, this doorstep visit is an unwelcome intrusion, for others, the chance to air their feelings about local issues.

So what exactly is it like canvassing for an election?

Independent candidate Brian Perry was running for Egham Hythe in the Runnymede by elections. He told the Herald & News of his experiences walking the ward and meeting his prospective ward members.

Herald & News: So what was it like canvassing, how long have you been doing it?

Brian Perry: "I have been canvassing for about two weeks now. Along with my agent, Linda Gillham, we zoned out Egham Hythe and worked out it would take probably eight consecutive days to cover it, doing just over two hours each day - That was covering all the houses we could get access to.

H&N: What kind of responses did you get?

BP: "We started off with leaflets, but it became apparent that knocking on doors was not very effective. People quickly came to the door when they saw me and only one person actually threw a leaflet back at me.

"It was quite reassuring that many people stopped in the street and just were pleased that we were out at all, because they felt that with what was going on at Westminster candidates would not be going out and about.

H&N: Did you find out anything about the ward you didn't already know?

BP: "The streets are far more complex then I thought. There are pockets that people don't go to so this is a good chance to talk with people, but very exhausting when the weather's hot. But these pockets contain communities within commmunities and it's not just based on costs of housing.

H&N: How would you summarise the canvassing experience?

BP: "It's a slog. But on one level it's very rewarding, especially when people stop to talk to you and share their experiences. The belief is still there that democracy is still important."