No celebrity candidates. No non-Tories. Bailey, Boff and Morrissey have all spent years campaigning, knocking on doors, handing out leaflets in the sun and in the rain.
There are early signs of a common profile of the seats chosen as targets.
We can make progress in these local elections next year – but not if we’re frustrated by stupid new rules.
We’re not only better than others at making choices about how to spend our own lives and money – it’s also extremely important for us to be able to do so.
The issue lies in the Party’s image and how it communicates with voters, not the actual message.
I’d relax the limits significantly if not totally, but insist on near real-time transparency from campaigns over their permitted donors.
With the surge in the delivery economy this rule would boost growth. It would also help the emergency services – and those canvassing during election campaigns.
The local election campaign was started with an eight page magazine highlighting our achievements on local issues. This was delivered prior to election expenses kicking in.
Instinctively, voters in Leigh will not vote for a candidate that is either from out of town or has a lack of working class attitudes. Sitting in an office does not win any votes here.
Do X per cent of voters really switch once they’ve read Y leaflets, resulting in Z per cent more wins in key marginals?
We fought on local issues highlighting the improvements we are delivering. Labour complained about “austerity” – but failed to offer a coherent alternative.
The General Election was a shock. We are up for a marathon effort for the Council elections next year.
It is not enough to state what you oppose from the ruling Labour Group. You have to have a policy platform to offer to residents as an alternative to actively vote for.
And a leader with a mandate from Welsh members requires more recognition.