Spent two weeks on the road now. Travelled 700 miles. Lots of different places.
Overwhelming impression? The voters are deeply unhappy with the choice they’re being asked to make. They don’t much like either of the major parties, nor Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn.
Overwhelming impression? The voters are deeply unhappy with the choice they’re being asked to make. They don’t much like either of the major parties, nor Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn.
In fact I’d go further- I’d say that right now there is total incredulity that they’re being asked to choose between the two men, about whom many voters have profound doubts.
We hear a lot about the public’s distaste of Corbyn. We don’t hear as many about Johnson. But make no mistake- I’ve seen v little evidence of the his much talked about stardust in this campaign. The thing I’ve heard most is the idea he’s a schoolboy (why ‘onanism’ was a bad idea)
I think there’s a lot of voters either trying not to think about the choice right now and who are undecided. Struck in Wrexham last night how many voters said exactly that. Throw up their hands and just say: “I don’t know!” and some variant of “what a mess/choice”
Also been door knocking with both Tories and Labour and response has been the same on the doorstep. That they’re not sure, bewildered by what they’re being asked to judge.
Not seen that much evidence of switching between main parties, though again in Wrexham last night, that that there was was from Lab-Tory (and exclusively from older Leave voting men).
Have met lots of Lab voters who are reluctantly sticking with it (they say despite Corbyn) and lots of others who are wavering because of him. Struck by how many of those say that they’ll probably just stay at home and not vote at all.
In terms of the Tories, I’ve been most struck at how little the People vs Parliament message seems to have sunk in. Most put Johnson/Conservatives in same bucket as the rest of the parties/MPs, equally culpable for the mess.
All in all, funnily enough, I’d say it feels as if both parties are struggling to break out of their respective corners because of their leaders.
Just to be clear, I’ve only been in Labour/Tory English and Welsh seats so far (save for brief foray into Plaid country) so more on other battles to come...
