Knock ! Knock ! : Reflections of an Activist

Door-knocking (or ringing) isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Some prefer to deliver or hand-out leaflets, or organise behind the scenes. All of these are valuable to a campaign in their own way, contributing vital elements to the general effort .

But door-knocking is where the campaign and potential voters really meet and where hopefully the impact of the message is most effective.

For those so inclined, 'knocking the doors' is something to be savoured as its likely to produce memorable moments of many and varied kinds.

It’s an adventure, a step into the unknown, a chance to encounter strangers one may never meet again. It’s also a test of one's mettle, pitting your knowledge of politics and your party's particular stance against ..... well, against whoever may open the door, their beliefs, and hoping to persuade them of yours . That's part of the thrill, knocking or ringing - then waiting to see who appears. Are they one of us, one of them, undecided or uninterested? We have our own styles, perhaps depending upon the degree of confidence we feel in encountering people we don't know.

Its worth remembering that along with religion, politics is reputedly the most incendiary of topics. So, some nerve is required. It’s also worth bearing in mind how we ourselves react when a door bell disturbs our tea - are we welcoming, grumpy or indignant ?

So being polite, even unctuous if necessary, may pave the way to a successful conversation.

Whatever the issue of the day which concerns the person, one should be able to offer a response from the Party's Manifesto. Campaigning in pairs doubles the chance of having a convincing reply, (while also halving the responsibility, which can be a relief ). Knocking in a pair with a new member recently, and quickly getting out of my depth on the NHS, my colleague came to my rescue. It emerged that he was a surgeon. Phew !

Dogs can be a problem: barking incessantly, the owner barely in control, so struggling to conduct a polite chat at high volume whilst keeping an eye on the dog.

Likewise small children: a harassed mother gamely fielding "mummy, mummy, mummy can I .... " against your own hopefully less irritating appeal.

It can be stressful, exhausting and even scary at times if people react strongly for various reasons or may have had a few drinks. And we never know what may have been interrupted when we knock or ring, so caution is important .

We occupy a privileged position, permitted to enter into conversations within which deep and personal views may be revealed .

But oh, the rewards.....interesting chats with interesting people; campaigning alongside political luminaries with fascinating and motivating tales to tell; convincing people to change their minds (what a buzz)  and feeling part of a huge operation which you believe can improve the lives of thousands of people.

                                                                                                                                 Paul Thompson