Richard Bailey hoping to turn Buckden blue

What difference will Labour’s black week make at the local ballot boxes next week? I personally think the recent headlines has turned people off politics even more. But what does the man or woman on the street think?

I joined Richard Bailey on the campaign trail in Buckden this weekend to find out. It is a pretty village and has a fabulous selection of fine shops and quality eateries, as well as its splendid red bricked stately towers which dominates the village centre.

This is Richard’s second stab at standing for Huntingdonshire District Council. Two years ago he disappointlingly lost by only 90 votes against a long-standing and well respected Lib Dem candidate who has now thrown in the towel. Richard then achieved an impressive and staggering 20% Tory swing.

A fellow blogger and former Tory press officer who is now running a countryside communications consultancy, Richard was clear what he had to do – let local people know he was there to fight causes which affect their everyday lives. That he wanted to carry on the good work of his predecessor, a fact he readily acknowledged.

Our door knocking was carefully timed not to clash with the Chelsea-Manchester football match, after which we headed for a nearby housing estate to see which political colours they favoured.

Richard spoke with conviction about his desire to provide recreational facilities for bored teenagers, something he has already been tackling as a local parish councillor. Other top issues on his agenda are solving speeding problems and keeping an eye on planning issues.

There was surprisingly little comment about Labour’s goings on, and one person described David Cameron as a pratt, but on the whole it was very civilised. We didn’t have any eggs thrown at us, but I’m not sure if a few pretended they were out during our walkabout.

If so it was their loss. Many people were delighted to have the opportunity to unburden their concerns. These include unruly dogs terrifying residents, bus time tables for pensioners, the lack of affordable homes – and how to recruit new members for the village chess club. Richard has taken them all on board.

Let’s wait and see if they believe in Richard enough to give them his X, I’m hopeful. Every minute is precious now in the run up to 4 May and Richard couldn’t be doing more to get his message across.

I personally think it is a thankless task, dealing with constant complaints, grumbles, and pettiness. But those who do it want to make a difference to people’s lives, improve their quality of life and are prepared to put in the hours.

P.S. I know one Conservative councillor who used to knock on doors and ask females if they would promise him a kiss – that was his way of asking for their X against his name on the ballot paper. He could never understand why they didn’t find it funny.