Ready for the Weekend, Sir?
- 21 May 2005
Just arrived in Swanton Abbott for the weekend after a tortuous journey. Because of the ridiculous roadworks on the A11 I drove up the A12 and A140. The DD bandwagon gathers pace as Julie Kirkbride and Ian Taylor both declared themselves today. Julie had supported Portillo ...
Starring on the News Quiz
- 14 May 2005
It seems one of my election anecdotes graced the airwaves of Radio 4's Newsquiz yesterday. They rehashed the Atticus story which read... "A surprise on the campaign trail for gay Tory candidate Iain Dale. Knocking on doors in the North Norfolk seat, he met an elderly lady w...
Touched
- 7 May 2005
Over the last twenty four hours I have received more than 250 emails, as well as dozens of phone calls from friends, colleagues and many people I have never met expressing their sympathy. I have to say it's a bit like being present at your own funeral, but they have certainly ...
Shame on You, Simon Heffer
- 7 May 2005
Simon Heffer has written a poisonous piece in the Daily Mail today about the fact that Nick Boles and I lost both our seats - he blames it on the fact that we are gay and that people outside London don't like that sort of thing. Strange how he doesn't mention the fact that Nic...
Morning After the Night Before
- 6 May 2005
This is obviously something I hoped I wouldn't have to post. Last night's result was devastating for me personally and for the local Conservative Party. I have put body and soul into my campaign over the last eighteen months so to lose by such a margin was a bitter pill to hav...
Rejoice
- 4 May 2005
I just heard Channel 4 News has tipped us to gain the seat. Also, I just had a fax from Margaret Thatcher wishing me well for tomorrow. Brought a tear to the eye. I had a nice letter from John Major the other day too. Michael Howard came to Norwich this afternoon. He had to...
Poetic Justice
- 3 May 2005
Here's a poem a supporter has sent me... Iain stands to WIN the day To bring North Norfolk to a better way Fighting the Yellow, Red and Green One obvious choice, it can be seen Briging our area, back in the Blue Making it better for Me and You More Police to knock d...
Funny Canvassing Story
- 3 May 2005
Live from North Walsham: Me: Would you like one of my leaflets, sir? Voter: I'd rather drink my own urine. Me: Strange habits, these LibDems... Environmentally friendly I suppose....
Clowning About With Norman Lamb
- 1 May 2005
Went over to visit Justo the Clown's circus this lunchtime to do a little bit with the press about encouraging people to vote. Justo has issued a challenge to other constituencies - to beat North Norfolk's voter turnout! I believe turnout here will be 73-75%, which may wel...
A Saturday Foot Spa
- 30 Apr 2005
A very exciting day. We had the biggest team of canvassers and leafleters ever seen in North Norfolk today. I started the day at the first North Walsham farmers market - great to see a new initiative with such quality produce. I spent the rest of the morning with a huge team o...
A Busy Friday
- 29 Apr 2005
An early start in Fakenham to take part in yet another candidates debate at Fakenham Sixth Form College - 220 present, although surprisingly quiet. Very good natured and some excellent questions. I thought I had blown it when I said I was totally against the EMA grant of £10-£...
The North Norfolk Candidates Debate
- 27 Apr 2005
Yesterday was the first debate between the four candidates for North Norfolk in Wells. Tonight was the second, in Fakenham. The third is in Sheringham on Thursday (8pm at the Community Centre). Last night it was all a little too cosy and gentlemanly. Lots of "Well I agree ...
For Saint George & England
- 23 Apr 2005
Probably the most hectic day of the campaign so far, and in many ways perhaps the most enjoyable. The day started in Fakenham where I attended the Framers' market and the Church St George's Day Fayre. We moved on to Sheringham and leafleted the High Street in competition with ...
From One Side to the Other
- 22 Apr 2005
We certainly clocked up the miles today... Spent the early part of the morning in Fakenham market before a tour of the villages around Fakenham. I then had to drive to Yarmouth to meet Tim Yeo, our Shadow Environment Spokesman for a discussion on coastal erosion. Mark Fox, our...
Gladdening the Heart
- 20 Apr 2005
Michael Howard's Council Tax announcement on cancelling Labour's revaluation has gone down very well if today's canvassing is anything to go by. We were in Sheringham tonight and I have never seen as many switchers in one canvassing session. One chap I spoke to said he had vot...
Stalham, P45 and a Foot Spa
- 19 Apr 2005
Went to Stalham this morning and talked to many people and shopkeepers in the High Street about the Tesco effect. This afternoon was spent in some of the bigger villages in the eastern part of the constituency. My day was considerably brightened by an article in the Norwich Ev...
Rainy Days
- 14 Apr 2005
Had a good, if rather rain-sodden morning in Sheringham. I met my parents' former vicar and his wife who moved to Sheringham from Saffron Walden a few years ago. He presided at my sister's wedding. Small world. In the afternoon David Willetts came to North Walsham for a tour o...
On the Trail
- 9 Apr 2005
Out of respect for the Pope we did not do any campaigning this morning. All three Parties I had thought had agreed to call a 'truce' until after the funeral. As you will see below our beloved local LibDems decided on a different course of action. I used the time to finish off ...
Saturday Campaign
- 9 Apr 2005
Started the day off with a group of supporters wanderng around Sheringham market and then down the high street. Said a quick hello to Norman Lamb who was doing the same thing with a couple of his groupies. We then moved on to Cromer, North Walsham and finished up in Swanton Ab...
I'd Do Anything for a Vote...
- 8 Apr 2005
Meat Loaf is becoming a theme of this campaign. I booked tickets the other day for his concert at Blickling on my birthday in July. Yesterday I said something to a voter and she replied "you took the words right out of my mouth" to which I replied "it must have been while you ...