This is the first of a new feature on ConservativeHome. Each week I will ask a prospective parliamentary candidate to write a diary of the previous seven days in which they can highlight the national political issues and events which are getting them exercised, the local issues on which they are campaigning in their constituency and write more generally about life as a candidate, the events they are attending, the people they are meeting and give us a flavour of what makes them tick.
I hope that candidates will find it a useful opportunity to raise their own profiles and that readers will enjoy getting to know a bit more about the men and women aiming to take their place on the green benches after the next election as Conservative MPs. I will be commissioning individuals to write diaries, but if you are a candidate and are keen to be featured, please email me.
Jonathan Isaby
Our inaugural Diary of a PPC is written by Robert Halfon, the candidate for Harlow in Essex. Robert stood in the seat in 2001 and 2005 and is the Political Director of the Conservative Friends of Israel. His campaign website is here and you can read his posts on the CentreRight blog here.
Monday
Feel a little tired as have just come back from Israel on a somewhat gloomy CFI visit, livened up with the presence of some great PPCs and MPs. Whatever the difficulties in the Middle East, David Amess can be sure to lighten up Jerusalem with some good Essex humour.
Nevertheless, this visit was a difficult one. Israel is still trying to form a Government, following their crazy PR system. Daniel Kawczynski, also on the trip, reminded Israelis with relish that he was chairman of the UK First Past the Post Parliamentary Group.
Despite the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza – following the recent conflict , Hamas is still firing missiles onto Israeli towns (over 100 in the last 3 weeks). Where is Annie Lennox when you need her? In fact, where was she when Hamas killed 400 Fatah Palestinians (throwing some off the rooftops), when it mounted its coup d’etat in Gaza in 2007?
In the evening, I attend a small fundraiser for my campaign in Harlow, organised by Howard Leigh, one of the kindest men in Conservative politics. Howard is a rare breed, a man who does so much for others, without asking for anything in return. Despite my promise to myself of a post-Israel diet, it is hard to resist the salt and vinegar flavoured crisps and a good glass of wine. The alchool helps steel me for my presentation alongside that of a senior MP - who has come specially to support me. Hopefully we should raise a few hundred quid to spend on some leaflets.
Tuesday
A less frantic day – at the Mainstream lunch with Michael Gove. As always Mr Gove displayed charm as well as detailed knowledge. I am really excited about education policy and try and visit as many schools in Harlow as possible. Michael Gove and Nick Gibb are a formidable pair. I remember when Nick came to Harlow to see two successful schools last year. The passion and knowledge that he displayed was quite remarkable – and the activists went away suitably impressed.
Afterwards, I met up with a great chap, George Freeman, PPC for Mid Norfolk. George is one of those people who remind you of when you were a student and you speak to a ‘Hermione Grainger’ type character just before the exam who - unlike you - has learnt everything needed. As George proceeded to inform me about his amazing ‘Norfolk Way’ and his wooing of local businesses, I began to feel somewhat inadequate. I kept thinking, thank goodness Shadow Treasury Minister David Gauke is visiting a business in Harlow on Friday.
Suffering post-El-Al sore throat, I cancelled my evening plans and went home to watch Mistresses and Mad Men. The latter is currently my favourite programme: the acting and the aesthetics are a just a joy to watch.
Wednesday
I am in my bathroom – dressed – but looking at my Blackberry at the same time. I see an email from the Conservative chairman of Harlow Council about Ivan Cameron. About to brush my teeth, I sit on the edge of the bath, feeling quite sad for a time. I reflect on my own very fortunate situation. For those who don’t know me, I have a small walking disability. When I was a few years old, some doctors thought I would not be able to go to mainstream schools and lead a thoroughly normal life. Thanks to can-do parents and an amazing Professor at Great Ormond Street, I have had an amazing life and don’t even see myself as disabled – more ‘leg challenged’ than anything else. I think how my parents were determined to give me the very best – which is exactly what happened to Ivan Cameron.
Lunch was with the esteemed Tom Greeves, of ConservativeHome fame. The ConHome Parliament pages are I think the only online documentation - with commentary - of proceedings in Parliament, including valuable Written Questions and the like. I hope that these pages are expanded. I told Tom I was delighted to see a piece he highlighted about Student Visas. My girlfriend, Vanda, is Brazilian and, subject to the good wishes of the British Consulate in San Paolo, about to start an advanced English course in the UK!
In the evening, I was looking forward to watching Chelsea v Juventus (I have been a Chelsea fan since my Grandad took me as a child). But no! I just remembered I was down to go to the United and Cecil Dinner with Sir Chris Meyer. Thank goodness, I had Sky Sports News at home. The dinner was a really good one, and the United & Cecil is one of best groups connected with the Party – they go out of their way to help Parliamentary Candidates. At each dinner, PPCs present are named and welcomed by all. It gives us all a warm glow, Ready-Brek style!
At the end of the evening I had to drive back home to Roydon. I was absolutely knackered and tempted to get a milkshake at the McDonald’s Drive-In just before the A406. I was glad to resist and went on my journey, thinking of resting my weary head and anxious about a busy three days ahead campaigning.
Thursday
Such a good day! After spending hours doing constituency correspondence, with my long suffering volunteer assistant, Ann Russell-Day, I then went to the Harvey Centre to meet a determined Harlow student, who is a real go-getter and offering to help on my campaign. He is currently studying in London, but comes back regularly. I am sure he will be a great asset. It is a great feeling when someone pro-actively offers assistance, especially someone like this chap, who is clearly going places. Later I have a long meeting with my Constituency Chairman, Cllr Lee Dangerfield. His home is like the Pentagon, with every manner of computer and serious hi-tech gear.
He downloads Twitter on my Blackberry (telling me Facebook is so yesterday), and at last I feel I have joined the Twenty First Century. Over delicious Bolognese (without spaghetti for me - diet), we discuss our campaign plan. The Campaign Team arrive a while later and we go through a check-list of various activities. We have so much to do and like every anxious PPC, I always feel I am not doing enough. Everyone else tells me I am doing too much and to pace things a little! I am lucky to have such a great team of volunteers, who have spent days, months and years, doing everything they can to turn Harlow blue. After the meeting, I rush home to watch Margaret on BBC2. As I settle down to a glass of whisky, I feel like such a Tory!! In the end, the programme was disappointing and ended rather flat.
Friday
I put on my nice dry-cleaned suit (from M&S – I am still a fan) and get ready for a day of constituency activities. Fridays are always packed as I visit a range of community organisations and meet local residents with problems. First, off to Epping Forest District Council, with some Hastingwood residents to meet with officials. For years, the residents have had to put up with a waste contractor in the village. Their homes and cars have been covered in dirt and dust, there is constant noise, a rat infestation and the grass verges have been ruined. What amazes me is the confusing plethora of agencies there are to approach to deal with the problem. The residents have been campaigning for years to little avail, so this meeting – which lasts for two hours – is with some of the agencies concerned, to get things moving. To be fair, the officials were reasonable and understand the problem, and a follow up meeting is scheduled. But how much will really be done to improve the lives of residents?
After this it was back to Harlow to Nandos - to meet an amazing woman, Anne Wafula Strike. On the way, I got a call from my local paper about a donation Lord Ashcroft gave us back in 2005 – have Labour got nothing better to do?
I park my car in the Water Gardens, and as I put money in the parking machine, it keeps spewing it out. A kind pigeon then decides to make a deposit on my formerly very clean suit. The pleasures of being a PPC.
Anyway, back to Anne. She is a disabled Olympic Athlete, and expected to compete in 2012, having participated in Athens (she was injured for Beijing). Anne is a true hero and I am proud she is in Harlow. I was amazed to learn that Anne has had her grant funding cut by sporting organisations.
After another party meeting, I rush off to meet David Gauke. He has
come to meet a very successful small business, Top Form Clothing (which supplies school uniforms and equipment to parents and children).
Top Form is run by an inspirational lady, Claire Harrison, who is a
real entrepreneur. What struck me in our discussions with David, Claire
and her partner Kath, was the disillusionment felt with all
politicians. Nevertheless, I feel that with the right policies - and
if we convey a sense of trust - these voters will choose us next time.
I doubt they will be voting Labour.
At a superb dinner later with Harlow Conservative Women’s Committee, David gives a first class speech and is just so personable and friendly to everyone. I, of course, overdo it with the cheese. Will I ever learn?!
Saturday
A Campaigning day! Our Association is out in full force to deliver leaflets and canvass. I do a stall in Staple Tye with my best Canvasser, Clive Souter, who has done his back in – thanks to canvassing. Despite some difficult issues going on locally, we get a fantastic reception, and are fortified by some McDonald's cappuccinos. Then I go home, watch some Gavin and Stacey on DVD and get ready to meet my mother. It’s her birthday and I promised to take her to dinner (being a good boy, present was already bought). The diet goes down the pan (in this case Italian), yet again...
