Candidates face hostility on doorsteps
Monday, 1 June 2009 12:00 AM
By Jonathan Moore
Campaigners knocking on doors ahead of Thursday's local elections have faced increasing hostility over the MPs' expenses row, with some even reporting incidents of physical violence.
Last week thisissomerset.co.uk reported a candidate had been assaulted while out canvassing in an incident reported to the police.
He was kicked in the back following an altercation on the doorstep of a householder who objected to having a leaflet pushed through their letterbox.
The Bucks Free Press reported on Saturday that a Conservative candidate in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, was "attacked" while canvassing.
"I knocked on the door, he opened, saw I was from a political party and said 'not interested, get off my doorstep'," Steven Adams, a candidate for Chesham North West, told the paper.
"He shoved me off the doorstep with a flat hand to the chest but it wasn't more than that. It wasn't a fight."
In Shropshire, the Shrewsbury Chronicle reported several candidates had dealt with abusive behavior while out knocking on doors.
David Farmer, a candidate for the Bagley division, told the paper: "I knocked on one door and was told we were all the same and that we all had our noses in the trough.
"When I tried to explain that I was standing in the local election and defended myself he just slammed the door in my face. I am very concerned that many people have also said they are not going to vote because of all this and I would argue that if you don't vote you have no right to complain."
A similar story was told by Alan Mosley, a candidate for the Ditherington division, who said: "I have tried to explain to people that we are local politicians and we are trying to get elected so we can make a difference to the local community but it is difficult."
There is a great concern across all parties that the anger directed towards MPs in the ongoing expenses row will result in an extremely low turnout in the upcoming elections, as voters tar all politics and politicians with the same brush.
If the anger shown on doorsteps towards politics is any measure there is likely to be a severe backlash in Thursday's polls.
Newsletter sign up