Francis Maude in Eltham

The great level of support we've been getting in Eltham continued yesterday, with a visit from Francis Maude, the Shadow Cabinet minister responsible for drawing up the detailed plans to implement Conservative policies if we form a Government. I worked at Conservative HQ when Francis was Chairman, and it was good to catch up with him as we canvassed with David Gold and Mo Burgess, one of our candidates in Shooters Hill (above).

Taking to the streets

On Saturday David Gold and the Conservative campaign team set up stall in Eltham Town Centre. The Labour Party and Clive Efford were also there, and it was good to be able to take our case to the streets and for the choice at the election to be on show, as we handed out our respective leaflets and talked to shoppers. If elections were won with balloons, I think we had the upper hand, and I must confess I got some satisfaction from the fact that Labour packed up after a few hours and left us to it. Our campaign has real momentum, and there was a good level of support from passers-by, who raised issues from litter bins to nuclear weapons.

Style - and substance

On Thursday I watched the second Leaders' debate at a "Watch Party" at Conservative HQ with Party Chairman Eric Pickles, party staff and supporters. It was a great atmosphere, with the press conference room taking on the feel of a cinema or theatre - we even had popcorn and a vendor dispensing tubs of ice cream. After the drama of the first debate the stakes were high, so there was real tension. But once it got underway there was (as you'd expect) lots of applause and cheers for David Cameron.

The best moment, I thought, was David's challenge to Gordon Brown to withdraw the leaflets which Labour have been circulating telling pensioners that Conservatives will take away their free TV licences, winter fuel payments and so on. Those claims are lies, pure and simple, and I share the general anger that Labour have resorted to such desperate tactics, trying to scare elderly people into voting Labour. The Prime Minister's reply - that he hadn't authorised any such leaflets - was equally misleading. I hope Labour will now be shamed into stopping this tactic in Eltham too.

Overall I thought David gave a very strong performance - on style AND substance, and was glad to see from the polls afterwards that the viewing public seemed to agree. I think the novelty of Nick Clegg is wearing off as his party's policies come under scrutiny, and as people begin to realise that a vote for the Lib Dems increases the chances of a hung Parliament, and of Labour clinging onto power with Clegg's support. The only way of guaranteeing change is to vote Conservative.

Inclined to vote...

I've been pleased during this campaign to help out in the Shooters Hill ward, where Mo Burgess, Richard Chandler and Simon Emmett are campaigning hard to win against the Labour incumbents. Having been the candidate there in the 2004 by-election, I have a lot of affection for the place, and campaigning on the steep hills certainly helps work off the effects of too many unhealthy breakfasts! Last time I was there we stopped off at Oxleas Cafe to enjoy the glorious weather (and my first ice-cream of the year). Onwards and upwards!

Borismania comes to Eltham!

Quite a day on Wednesday as the Mayor of London joined David Gold's campaign in Eltham. Along with Shadow Minister for London Justine Greening, council candidates and activists, Boris met businesspeople and shoppers in Eltham High Street, where his presence soon caused quite a stir, with people clamouring for photos, waving from across the street and generally giving him a hero's welcome.

It was the most high-profile event of what is already shaping up to be a very exciting and energetic campaign in Eltham, and I can't help wondering where the Labour Party are. Sightings of Clive Efford and his team are few and far between - surely they haven't given up already?

Manifesto launched in Battersea... and Eltham

The Conservative manifesto was launched today with an event at the old Battersea Power Station. I was there, along with a number of fellow Greenwich activists, to hear the compelling case for giving power back to the people, the vision behind the manifesto's title "Invitation to join the Government of Britain".

Afterwards, we headed back to Eltham, where the Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, Sir George Young, joined David Gold for some campaigning in Eltham North. It was a glorious day, and we got a really good response, with one lady telling me she would vote Conservative because Labour have failed, and it was time for something new. "But" she added "I won't vote for you again if you mess up". I was able to show her the manifesto and told her to make sure she held us to it. After the way people were let down by this government, it's important they can have confidence Conservatives will deliver what we say. The positive vision outlined today gives me renewed faith that will be the case.

On home turf

One of the positive effects of the General Election being held on the same day as the local elections is that I get to campaign in my own Council ward with the huge number of supporters who are coming to Eltham to support David Gold in his bid to become our next MP, and help get David Cameron into Downing Street.

Today we were joined by David Evennett, the Shadow Higher Education minister who is also MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford (at least he was until 11.41am today, when Parliament was dissolved by The Queen!). I was certainly on home turf, as our campaigning included my own flat in Westmount Road - a couple of votes we should be able to count on!

Super Saturday!


A fantastically energetic and productive day in Eltham yesterday, with teams out in every Council ward, and support from the LGBTory group. I spent the morning in Eltham North with my colleague Councillor Dermot Poston and activists (above), before a stop for lunch in New Eltham, then an afternoon in Shooters Hill with our council candidates there. We were joined there by our parliamentary candidate David Gold, and Shadow Minister for Crime Reduction, James Brokenshire MP. The lovely sunny weather and positive reaction on the doorstep made it a great first weekend of the campaign.





Campaigners from across Eltham meet for lunch in New Eltham


Shooters Hill candidate Maureen Burgess (left) campaigning with James Brokenshire MP and David Gold

Change at Eltham

Day one of the campaign saw lots of activity in Eltham, with activists at all the main stations handing out leaflets and talking to commuters as they came home from work. Labour MP Clive Efford and his pals were also there, standing right in front of the exit in a frankly rather intimidating way!


This Labour bunch didn't seem very happy, and oddly, none were wearing red rosettes. Shamefully, their leaflets were designed to look like Conservative literature, using the same shade of blue, and with a big picture of David Cameron and George Osborne on the front, and a set of negative attacks. Many commuters were confused, having to look twice at what they'd been given when we handed them a "real" Conservative leaflet with the positive reasons to vote for change.

After about an hour Mr Efford and his team gave up, and walked off. I asked him why it was that our leader rather than his was on his literature. "You'll find Gordon on all my leaflets" he replied (although the Prime Minister was relegated to a small picture on the back on the ones he'd just been handing out). "And on the side of our campaign office" added one of his colleagues. Indeed he is - and I hope the thought of five more years of him will weigh heavy on all who see it.

Jack Straw locked out of Downing Street


With a bit of luck this will be a sign of things to come. Yesterday morning, as the Cabinet gathered in Downing Street ahead of Gordon Brown's announcement of the election date, I walked past on my way to work. Along came Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who marched up to the gate. Unfortunately the policeman on duty had wandered off for a moment, leaving the Lord High Chancellor of all England and Wales vainly rattling the handle before having to call for help.

Off to a frying start!

Even before Gordon Brown had officially called the election, we were up and ready to do battle in Eltham. I went for a very early breakfast at the Tudor Barn with David Gold and other members of our campaign team, including my fellow council candidates Adam Thomas and Matt Clare (Eltham South) and Maureen Burgess (Shooters Hill). As David says on his website, the perfect way to start our campaign. Today was the first day the Tudor Barn has opened early for breakfast, and I highly recommend it!