Election 2010
Election update - Sunday 18th April
It has been great out on the doorstep this week. Team Hoban has been out across the constituency and I have been in Warsash, Locks Heath, Park Gate, Fareham and Portchester. We've had a warm welcome. In this time of wall-to-wall TV coverage, people still want to see their candidates on the doorstep. It is a good opportunity for me to listen and respond to people's concerns and perhaps convert some waiverers into firm supporters.
As a break from the campaign, I opened the Fareham Easy Access Trail at Cams Hall with Mike Marten, who is Fareham's Citizen of Honour and has completed 133 marathons in his wheelchair. The trail was the dream of the late Lorraine Herrington, who was chairman of the Fareham Access Group. Her husband, Richard, made sure Lorraine's dream became a reality and it is a fitting memorial to her.
Election update 25 April
Whilst the national spotlight has been on the leaders' debates, local residents have had the chance to scrutinise me this week. I did house meetings in Fareham and Portchester; a Q&A session at the Warsash Residents Association and The News Hustings. Questions ranged from planning to immigration, from taxes to our plans to tackle the deficit. There are two more opportunities left - tonight at Holy Trinity for Fareham Churches Together at 7pm and on Wednesday 28th at Henry Cort Community College between 8pm and 9pm.
On top of this, I have been out on the doorstep in Locks Heath, Warsash, Titchfield, Fareham and Portchester. It is much easier canvassing when the weather is good. I can tell you it is not much fun when it is wet although you do get full marks for commitment and determination.
I rounded off the campaigning with two longstanding constituency commitments. Fiona and I went to the Rainbow Centre's AGM. We have had a long association with Centre: my first engagement after I was elected in 2001 was one of their fundraising events and Fiona is a Patron. From the AGM, we went to see the Fareham East Scouts, who were holding a scout awareness event in West Street. I'm a big fan of the scouts and we have done a lot with them over the years. My introductory leaflet shows me on the climbing wall at Lyons Copse when I visited a scout camp.
We are past the half way point in the campaign with the winning line in sight.The next few days will fly by as we make our final pitch to the voters.
Meet me during the election
As well as trying to knock on as many doors as possible over the next few weeks, I am also holding a public meeting at Henry Cort Community College on Wednesday 28th April at 8pm.
I hope to see you there.