Some moments from last few election days. The election itself is inspiring to witness and be a part of, I am determined to take Bo with me next time – great to see Sam there with one from the Youth Parliament.
Witnessing the gathering of the different tribes, their different styles (Green party food table was definitely the best, Reform shiny shoes). We have our tables, our rosettes and our clip boards. It is my first experience of being a candidate in a non target seat (Blyth Estuary) and seeing my name spelt correctly on a ballot and then beside a wire basket collecting bundles of 10 then 100, all checked and double checked and paper clipped together. I think how lucky I am to be there for surely one day this visceral and mechanical process will be AI and electronic driven, paper clips will be antiques re-purposed into trendy necklaces, voting will be on screens in your own home. There will be no gathering of a tribe.
I felt the keen disappointments after canvasing so hard, particularly with Marianne. In various conversation I try to understand why people vote for a Reform parachuted in to our rural Suffolk, is not local, is not known, and does not know us. There is also jubilation – Peter won in Bungay from a ground zero start. Our Annette won in Halesworth by 700 votes. Caroline talks with many across parties, the Conservatives and Lib Dems – I did not see her with Reform. The Reform are centrered around the Lowestoft councillor June Mummery, who one described as and an effective motivator. Our new strategies form. East Suffolk Report and photos here
Most of the press is about the fall of Labour. But the UK total council seats still gives Labour a majority.
Zack Polanski and the Greensā have achieved the strongest-ever local election performance, despite a relentless smear campaign against Zack. The antisemitism rhetoric once weaponised against Jeremy Corbyn was not so effective against the UKās only Jewish political leader.
Exit polls show 42% of 18-34 year-olds backed the Greens, compared to just 28% for Labourāa 14-point swing since the 2024 general election.
Thoroughly enjoyed being with Bo, door knocking Wissett and Halesworth.
‘What’s the dress code?’ he asked. Smart casual. Not Jehovah witness.
Kalikellett 