In a guest article for ALDC, Kingston’s Campaign Organiser takes us through the February 28th’s fantastic Lib Dem Hold in the Berrylands ward by-election.
I was thrilled by the level of support this campaign received from Kingston and London-wide activists. The pinnacle was polling day: 23 people had turned up by 7am and across the day 76 people helped.
This by-election was triggered by the death of Liberal Democrat councillor, Frances Moseley. Although our control of Kingston Council was not under threat, it was very significant for us.
We had surprised the Conservatives when we took all three seats from them in Berrylands in 2006, and in 2010 they only managed to regain one – by 6 votes. Berrylands is symbolic for Edward Davey; it is right in the centre of his constituency and is where the office is located.
Our candidate was Sushila Abraham (pictured left, with Caroline Pidgeon AM & the Kingston team), a local solicitor who was firmly grounded in the local community, often recognised on the doorstep and well received by those who did not know her.
The campaign was meticulously planned at the outset, with full schedules for artworking, agent approval and printing for each piece of literature as well as the clerical and canvassing operations.
We used Connect’s virtual phone bank to call our membership and mobilise them. Everyone who could offer time was given a task to do, from artworking and proofing literature, printing and bundling, stuffing blue envelopes, delivering to baking cakes. Volunteers were used to recruit and retain more volunteers.
Our literature had a clear, consistent message, and because the team and candidate for Berrylands had a strong record, it was easy to illustrate. We were not afraid to rebut attempts at scaremongering where necessary, and we always went on the front foot on potentially difficult political stories such as the rise in council tax and failures by children’s services.
Finally, in eight weeks we made over 3000 contacts. Our target of Defs and Probs was set ambitiously, and it was met. We focused on talking to our supporters and ensuring they knew our message, but no household was ignored.
The result?
Sushila Abraham (LD) – 948
Conservative – 761Labour – 455UKIP -175Green – 112
In summary, we had a good record to sell and a fantastic candidate. It is proof, even with unfortunate national media attention, that a positive campaign based on facts, hard work and a LOT of volunteer hours can still yield good results for the Lib Dems. As the local paper said, Berrylands residents gave a “vote of confidence in [Kingston’s] ruling party.”
Got an interesting story to tell? Or, a policy/campaigning issue you’d like to comment on? ALDC are happy to consider submissions for our Comment section at any time. Please email your stories to ALDC Communications Officer Craig Whittall.