On the doorstep, not just at election time but year-round - why canvassing matters!
Today I joined my local party for a campaigning session and, although campaigning can be difficult, it does make a difference - not just to the party, but to the electorate too. Volunteers make up the majority of people who go out campaigning, so how can we encourage more people to come out? Below, I put some ideas forward as to why I believe it matters and why you should do it too!
A common complaint I hear on the doorstep is that people think politics isn’t working for them. Let’s be real, change is happening, but not at the pace everyone would like. This matters because being on the doorstep means you escape the party bubble and hear how others view the situation. Now, not everyone reads the reports, or briefing papers, or listens to Prime Ministers’ Questions, but they feel the impact of the cost of living, and wonder what is being done to tackle the issues.
By coming and knocking on the door of a resident, you can show that you care. I am, of course, speaking from my own perspective, but I do know that from most productive conversations I have, it truly does make a difference. Elections may be coming up in May, but good councillors and local parties aim to be out all year round. They want to be accessible and hear from their residents. Voters don’t have to agree with you, but knowing what matters to them helps. For example, last weekend I spoke to a gentleman who was frustrated that the rate of change was not quick enough - to him, we should be going harder and faster to get Britain moving. The answer isn’t simple, but by listening, we managed to persuade them to use their vote in May for good. We didn’t promise to have all the answers but we promised to stand up for residents and work to improve local people’s lives.
Canvassing can be more than just to gain trust or show that we listen, sometimes it can be used for sharing the good news. Locally we have been pushing the hard work of our councillors to support housing, reduce council rates for low-income households, and protect our local spaces like parks and stand against anti-social behaviour. The most exciting update we gave was about a road resurfacing programme; music to those residents’ ears. However, when you knock on behalf of the party in government, even if you call for local issues, you can be confronted on national ones. This presents a bit of a dilemma: either focus on the core local issues you want to understand and can help with, or act as a sympathetic and informative ear for the government. Listening matters, but so does acting. That’s why it can be a tricky balance; nevertheless, a good canvasser can take criticism and offer solutions.
Is canvassing the only effective method? Well, in today’s world, the short answer is no. Social media is so effective. It takes seconds to minutes to create a short post that can reach thousands of people. It is a lot more time-efficient than starting a leaflet draft, editing it, printing it, and then delivering it to hundreds, if not thousands, of houses. However, it is worth it. Canvassing in person achieves a richness that social media cannot compete with. While the reach may be shorter, in-person campaigning ensures we can speak directly to voters, know how to reach out (such as by sending a follow-up letter), and help ensure they feel their voices can be heard. On top of this, it is personal - we come to you. This allows people to share their thoughts on ideas and where they live, without the pressure one could associate with commenting on a councillor’s social media post. Campaigning is effective, and while both methods achieve varying results, it is clear that in-person methods still have a competitive edge.
To get people to restore their faith in politics, we must be seen, heard and engaged. Going out matters because it shows people that we are committed to being there. Volunteers out canvassing do not get paid - they do it because they care, because they want to support positive change in their communities. Politics on the local level can teach other levels of government why consistent interaction matters.
People matter more than elections, but to ensure their voices are heard, they must engage in the democratic process. Doorstep canvassing enables a snapshot into their minds. Complacency shouldn’t keep us content - it is not what we have achieved by being elected, but through that door we can do so much more.
If you, too, feel more should be done where you live, maybe, just maybe, you should seek out your local parties and join the conversation. Will you be joining us on the doorstep anytime soon?
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