Shortlisted for a 'Flaneur 'Award
- 24 Mar 2005
I just found out that this Blog has been shortlisted by The Guardian for Political Blog of the Year. They describe it as ''Funny, witty, irreverent weblog of Iain Dale, well known raconteur, flaneur and Conservative PPC for North Norfolk. Informative about North Norfolk issues...
Religion, Posters & Wind
- 23 Mar 2005
This morning I was invited to speak to Cromer Bible study group. It was a fascinating couple of hours and we covered a lot of ground - abortion, euthanasia, third world debt, the Middle East and a lot more besides. I always have a simple policy in this type of arena - give you...
Today's Canvassing
- 19 Mar 2005
My feet feel as if they are about to drop off. We did seven, yes seven, hours canvassing today. I was in Wells all morning and spent this afternoon in Hickling. What a beautiful village Hickling is. And such nice people too. I met a lovely LibDem lady who told me how much she ...
A Day With Theresa May
- 18 Mar 2005
Up at 8 to collect Theresa May from Norwich Station. After my experiences with IDs, Boris and Cecil Parkinson being 90 minutes late I approached the platform with some trepidation. I need not have feared - I soon spotted the famous shoes stepping towards me. We then drove ...
A Varied Day
- 17 Mar 2005
Today was varied to say the least. It started at 9am when I spent a couple of hours talking to 30 pupils of All Saints School, Lessingham. They were 13-16 years old and I have to say they were the most enthusiastic teenagers I have come across. The questions kept coming and co...
A Levels & The Iron Lady
- 8 Mar 2005
Apologies for the lack of posts over the last couple of days. Even a candidate has to earn a living, you know! I've spent this evening quaking in my boots about what lies before me tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon I have to make a speech to 700 A Level Politics Students in london....
Varied Times
- 5 Mar 2005
Set out at 8.45 in blizzard like conditions for the coast. We have a new leaflet on coastal erosion which we're delivering to the coastal villages. What a very cold and wet morning. The snow was a joy (not). Six of us trudged through huge puddles but we did a sterling job and ...
Snowy Day
- 4 Mar 2005
Took me 45 minutes to drive from my house in Swanton Abbott to Cromer this morning. Thought we would have to cancel tonight's debate in Fakenham but in the end all the snow went, although it's back with a vengeance as I type this. The weather certainly affected turnout. There ...
A Day on the Doorstep
- 26 Feb 2005
A fascinating day's canvassing today. We started at 9.30 with a quick whip round the Farmer's Market at Fakenham. We then spent the morning on the doorstep, periodically getting soaked. Exceptional response to the announcement on Council Tax this week. Every pensioner we met k...
Swerage and Sleaze
- 25 Feb 2005
Just got back from Holt where I was giving a talk on Integrity in Public Life. Slightly ironic as I have been the subject of an article on today's EDP about the fact my campaign has received a donation from Lord Ashcroft. It was a typical article of the "well he's done nothing...
A BAd By-Election Result
- 23 Feb 2005
We lost. For the record, we got 537 votes, LibDems were on 576 and Labour 36. I shall not pretend that this was anything other than a bad result, because it was. And without any hesitation I congratulate Barbara McGoun on her victory. I have just emailed her to do just tha...
My Billboard Goes Up
- 20 Feb 2005
Did someone say there was an election due soon? My billboard poster went up today. It's in a brilliant location just as you come into Cromer. There are only 5 billboards in the whole of North Norfolk and they are all on this one location in Cromer. No doubt the Libs will s...
The Duracell Bunny
- 13 Feb 2005
A very windy morning spent canvassing in Holt followed by a quieter afternoon in North Walsham. Again, an excellent response with quite a few switchers. Hilarious end to the day when I called on a lady who had had a large LibDem poster at the last election on a prime poster si...
A Day Off
- 13 Feb 2005
Today I spent the day with my parents travelling round North Norfolk. They came up for the Gillian Shephard dinner last night. We went to the Muckleburgh Collection at Weybourne in the morning. My Dad loves anything to do with World War II and collects old military vehicle...
Terrible on Sky News
- 5 Feb 2005
Terrible terrible start to the day. I had to review the papers on SKY NEWS this morning and for the first time in my life I completely dried up live on television! I was talking about Charles Clarke's new announcement on immigration and my mind suddenly went blank. When I had ...
Drug Rehabilitation
- 2 Feb 2005
Spent the morning at the Princess Diana Drugs Rehabilitation Centre in Mundesley yesterday. I took IDS there in December but thought I would go back on my own to learn a bit more about what they do. Met several of the patients, all of whom were fearful of the elevel of support...
Today's Debate
- 31 Jan 2005
A very lively debate tonight at Sheringham. Probably my best performance of the three so far. Two UKIP voters came up to me at the end and whispered they would be supporting me. I also had a Labour voter call the office today pledging support. I had three delegations of people...
Criss Crossing North Norfolk
- 21 Jan 2005
I reckon I have clocked up 200 miles today. Swanton Abbott-North Walsham-Eccles on Sea-Wells-North Walsham-Swanton Abbott-Hoveton-Cromer-North Walsham-Swanton Abbott. Started the day off in Eccles to see some people who are concerned about the state of their local roads. T...
A real Achievement for Tsunami Victims
- 14 Jan 2005
Well, I achieved something of real value today - in more ways than one. I secured free transport for two container loads of blankets and clothing collected by the people of Sheringham to the Bande Aceh region of Indonesia. The goods will be distributed to the hardest hit areas...
Dinner With William Hague
- 12 Jan 2005
Just got back from a fundraising dinner in London which I organised jointly with Mark Fox, the excellent Tory Candidate in Great Yarmouth. A fantastic evening at the Commonwealth Club in Northumberland Avenue. William Hague was our Guest of Honour and he made a truly hilarious...