Well, the national picture isn't looking good but I'm not getting the same impression locally. It's true there's little enthusiasm for the Conservatives - but I have found none for the other parties either. Mostly I find a phlegmatic recognition that while there's a whole lot wrong with the state of the country, it's not all the Tories' fault and Labour and the Lib Dems offer nothing except a change of faces.
The really difficult sell is to explain that while my Party has been in power (first in coalition, then through Brexit, and then through Covid) for 14 years, it is WE who represent the change the country needs and Keir Starmer's Labour Party, echoed by the Lib Dems, who stand for the status quo. WE understand the need for profound reform in our economy and public services to boost productivity and growth; WE understand the need for proper investment in our security; WE will take on the civil service which holds back the country; WE will reform the visa system and human rights laws to reduce immigration and invest in British workers. After all the travails of recent years this is what we're finally doing - while Starmer, and his civil servant chief of staff, want to go in the other direction: back to a country run by the Blairite establishment, with the added threat of radical progressives on his back benches.
A word on Reform, who are challenging hard for the votes of those who backed us last time and who feel - very understandably - that we haven't delivered on the promise of the 2019 election. As you may know I have argued vocally for a Conservative platform that meets the demands of 2019 voters - in the traditional heartlands like Wiltshire, and the Red Wall - and I'm glad we are now in the right position on many issues including tax, defence, skills and immigration. I respect the view of those who think it's all too little too late, and that we need a total change on the Right to restore balance to our politics. But the consequence of a big Reform vote will be a massive Labour majority. Much better, surely, to vote Conservative now that my Party has woken up to the demands of the public for an authentic Conservatism.
I'm out and about every day, knocking on doors, popping into pubs, visiting fetes - clips and posts on recent activity is all here on my website. It's delightful walking the lanes and streets of Wiltshire, chatting to strangers and hearing a myriad of different perspectives on local and national issues. This is the most wonderful part of the most wonderful country, and every day my faith in the British people is restored.
If you want to join my campaign team please get in touch.
Danny
