One week down, two to go! (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

One week down, two to go!

July 1, 2004 1:31 PM

Nicola Davies out campaigning

Nicola Davies was selected last week to be the Liberal Democrat candidate in the 15 July Birmingham Hodge Hill by-election. With one week gone and just two remaining until Polling Day, Nicola shares her thoughts on the Campaign so far.

I was selected by the Liberal Democrats on Wednesday of last week and it has been a hectic week since then! I was of course delighted to have been selected and have been impressed since with the support that has flooded in. By-elections are always different to normal elections but I didn't realise how much so - I stood in Birmingham at the last General Election and again in the European Elections but nothing had prepared me for the by-election.

Since the selection everything has been moving so fast. I spent Thursday contacting people and organising a campaign team and finalising an office. On Friday we were up and running, Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy came to Birmingham and we officially opened the office. Charles is also coming back today and has told me that he will be coming as often as he can as he knows that we can win here.

Friday onwards the help started pouring in, as well as Charles we have had visits from Brent East's by-election victor Sarah Teather MP and several other MPs - Matthew Green, Evan Harris, Lembit Opik, Brian Cotter, Paul Marsden, Vince Cable and Simon Hughes. Lord Rennard from the House of Lords came as has Peter Black Welsh Assembly Member, and well as scores of Councillors and party members from across Birmingham and the country.

We have been delivering leaflets and knocking on doors talking to people. I have visited a number of schools, local businesses, shops, Post Offices, and have enjoyed meeting many local residents and members of community groups. I'm looking forward to meeting many more in the next two weeks.

The reception has been fantastic so far with people saying they like the Liberal Democrat approach of even-handedness and honesty and the fact that we will invest in the local services. There is a strong feeling on the doorstep that this constituency has been let down by Labour. People feel let down by Tony Blair's Labour Government and fed up with twenty years of neglect from the Labour Council. People are saying enough is enough and that they no longer trust Labour, locally or nationally.

I have been disappointed Labour have so far played a very negative campaign, but people have welcomed our positive approach and determination to make things change for the better. As for the Conservatives I have not really noticed any form of campaign from them, and most people here already now it really is a choice between a hard working Liberal Democrat who will fight for Hodge Hill or Tony Blair's Labour Party.