Why we do it

by Andrew Skudder

Towards the end of an election campaign, any election campaign, candidates, party workers and activists, and even supporters can start to flag a bit as polling day approaches.  Whether the prospects are good or bad, there are few people involved in elections who do not, at some point, look forward to it all being over so they can get their lives back.

It is even tempting to look back at the time spent writing and delivering leaflets, knocking on doors and manning street stalls while normal people enjoy their shopping, to look back on all that and wonder "why do I do all this?"  We have all done it, but today I happened to find my own personal answer.

This morning I received two letters.  The first was from a mother who is one half of a couple who both work. They have a nine-year-old daughter who regularly used the local council-run play scheme.  She said:

It was fantastic, my daughter loved it.  The people who ran it were lovely, friendly and responsible.  She absolutely loved it and it is so sad that they have finished.  It was so convenient for us, being just up the road and it was inexpensive as I have a leisure access card I got a reduction.
She went on to describe how the alternatives are more expensive and enjoyed much less by her daughter, how other families in the village are also affected, and finished by saying how much she hoped that I can raise awareness of the issue and get the play schemes running again.

The second letter was enclosed with the first and was written by the daughter.  As if it the words were not heartbreaking enough, she included a self-portrait of herself crying, labelled "me now".

In the future, if I ever have any questions about why I do this I can use this letter to answer them.  Anybody who says that politics does not matter and that voting changes nothing is wrong: decisions taken by our elected representatives has a real impact on real people. This reminds me of the sorts of thing I am fighting for.

I have not given up on getting the council play schemes re-instated, and Horsham Labour party has not given up either. 

My first direct knowledge of anything political was when I was at primary school and our free milk was threatened by the then minister for education who we only knew as 'Thatcher the milk-snatcher'.  At least one little girl is getting a similar experience at the moment.  Horsham councillors could easily take a decision that will see them viewed as heroes rather than villains, but they will need some persuading to do that.

Will you help us to do that persuading?   You can write to your local councillor, write to the local newspapers, and you can sign our petition - if you do not see us around you can email us and ask for your name to be added (secretary@horsham-labour.org.uk)