Each week a different PPC provides us with an insight into life as a candidate and gives us a flavour of their own campaign and interests. If you are a candidate and are keen to be featured, please email Jonathan Isaby.
This week’s diary is written by Rahoul Bhansali, who was selected in November 2008 for Streatham. Streatham was a Conservative seat until 1992 when it fell to Labour. The sitting MP, Keith Hill, is retiring at the General Election and last month, Betty Evans-Jacas, a Labour councillor for Brixton Hill, defected to the Conservatives, signalling an end to Labour’s domination of the Brixton area. Rahoul has been actively involved in politics in South London for over eleven years and was Deputy Chairman of Bermondsey Conservatives. He holds down a full time job as a management consultant.
Sunday 8th November
Start the day laying the wreath at the Remembrance Sunday service on Streatham Common. It was good to see so many people from across the community groups paying tribute to those fallen. The end of the service had a local finish with the magnificent drums of the Brixton Pathfinders.
Quick lunch and then out to lead our regular Sunday afternoon canvassing, firming up the vote in Clapham Common: big hopes here after a great win in the mayoral elections last year.
I meet a local teacher who, despite having voted Labour all her life, is very impressed by Michael Gove’s proposed education reforms and so is tempted to vote Conservative in 2010. The message in Streatham is: “If you want to get rid of Brown, you have to vote Bhansali".
Spent the evening at a debate organised by the Streatham Baptist Church on the subject of War and Peace. I was asked to give an opening address on whether “pacifism is untenable”. PPCs from the other parties took part in the debate as well as two theologians and a serving RAF engineer. The debate was great fun and saw some fantastic and often soul-searching questions from the audience.
Monday 9th November
One of the most important things about balancing a parliamentary campaign with a full-time job is the need to prepare and stick to a ‘to do list’. I’m not sure what keeps me sane – work or the political campaign.
Tonight its People’s Question time at the Brixton Academy with Boris (and other GLA members). Big crowd from the Association plus my friend and colleague Kemi Adegoke (PPC for Dulwich and West Norwood) with her team.
Somewhat strange going to the Academy for a political event. The slightly sticky floors made me nostalgic for some of the gigs I had seen there over the last few years.
Tuesday 10th November
Labour Lambeth is maintaining their loony reputation for wasting public money, whether it’s the shocking 17% rent rises for council homes or the £35k spent on the crazy “Welcome to Lambeth” signs, which have popped up all over the area.
I spent much of the summer working with our councillors to reveal Loony Labour’s secret plans to consolidate the Borough’s dust carts into one site neighbouring a residential area on the Lambeth / Wandsworth border. The campaign we’ve run has been really well received in the local area and has helped the team’s profile.
In the evening I visit the Hyderi mosque in Streatham. I speak with one of the Imams who gives valuable input to my campaign and invites me to address the mosque’s congregation.
Wednesday 11th NovemberBig show tonight with David Davis as our guest speaker at a fundraiser. David agreed to speak to us after I doorstepped him at a party and reminded him that he was an old Streatham resident. We have been fortunate with our guest speakers, having had Adam Afriyie MP and Liam Fox MP in recent months.
A number of great prizes have been kindly donated by members; however the main item is a print of Westminster signed by the majority of the shadow cabinet. I spent most of conference getting this signed - glad there hasn’t been a reshuffle since!
David gave a great speech - though he did include several comments about my driving. He also made sure he spoke to everybody and stayed round after his comments to help the auction raise as much money as possible.
The generosity of the guests was fantastic. A particular highlight for me was the attendance of my friends and supporters in the British Asian Conservative Link (BACL). The BACL presented a personal donation from Rami Ranger for my campaign which just capped the night off brilliantly.
Thursday 12th November Out meeting voters again – wrapped up warm. With Streatham’s championship-sized ice rink an important part of our Olympic legacy, we are seeking reassurances from Lambeth Council and the developer, Tesco, that there will continue to be skating provision whilst more modern facilities are built as part of the Streatham Hub development.
The Hub development has been on the cards for over a decade and there are serious concerns that the long-winded process may be hampering investment in the south of Streatham overall.
Friday 13th November
A year to the day since my selection. Make several thank you calls to key team members. Together we’ve done some cracking stuff and I’ve made a number of great friends.
Had a very inspirational meeting with Richard Chambers, the Principal of Lambeth College. They are doing some very impressive work to boost the education attainment and employment prospects of the College’s students.
Through innovative partnering with major London businesses we can see social entrepreneurship in action. He has created a win-win solution for London – the students gain access to skills and so jobs whilst businesses can access a previously untapped talent pool.
Saturday 14th November Streatham contains parts of the three major South London commons, giving a green feel to much of the area. I’ve been a key supporter of the Friends of Clapham Common and I join the Conservative Clapham Common Action Team and others in a bulb planting exercise. Feel a sense of achievement and the outdoor exercise has given me a great excuse to not go to the gym.
Saturday night is personal time. I’m cheering on Danyl Johnson on The X Factor – despite the doubters; my television confession of love for the programme is completely genuine.
Last week's Diary was written by Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye)
