My tiny dot of red become was quiverful of excitement when one of the Big Five (to those who frequent members.net on the labour website, I challenge anyone else to name all 5 with the national media ignoring the leadership election)finally rode into town to woo us. And he was only 25 mins late. Me and many other party faithful crowded into a stultifyingly hot room (standing room only proudly tweeted the candidate) to witness a massive love in between our local MP and Milliband D. "He is so intellectual, honest and handsome" warbled our MP with tears in his eyes as he gazed up (MD is very tall)at the candidate. "I learned everything I know about politics from this man" riposted MD with an equally loving gaze. Beautiful.
And? Well, he is confident, a really good speaker, charismatic, clever. He is painting himself as the whiter than white cabinet member who turned down great opportunities in Europe in order to lead the faithful back into power. Do I believe he is as clean as he says? No but definitely less tarred than Balls. And he is good, will definitely run rings around Call-Me-Dave during PMQs and the international community loves him. He will make a good leader, who knows might even win a election. Not sure if he gets my vote though... he is handsome as one besotted member of the audience publicly pointed out. Let me make this clear this is politician handsome not boyband handsome, two completely different scales. So what did 6 year old make of the whole procedure? "Many of the questions made no sense" she opined. Truly it is out of the mouth of babes. How he managed to answer some of the long, rambling monologues that passed for questions from some audience members I do not know. No wonder they are taking August off if this is how they spend their days.
All candidates will be present and correct at Women Only event on Sun and I want to compare contrast and shake off bedazzlement at the perfect style and smile of Milliband D. But, apart from my natural fear of all such events, do I have the time? Its just one day. But I am volunteering tomorrow afternoon and 6 year old is being whisked away for half the week as my favourite annual event Finding Affordable Summer Childcare begins. Do I want to lose half my weekend with her too? MD understands - he hates the 24/7 campaigning he said with real believable conviction, because he misses his kids. I want to be engaged with this, I am engaged with this but 3 days without 6 year old is a day too many (2 days on the other hand is a relaxing break).
Meanwhile the 36 medium sized campers were returned, just a little scratched and bruised from 3 days of running riot in the woods, back to the loving bosom of their families leaving me needing 5 days of recovery time. Unfortunately the five days included overtired 6 year old also needing recovery time (expressed as tantrums), extra work commitments and executive meetings. The executive meeting took place in a local Church Hall where we camping survivors stared blankly into space with lost exhausted eyes, half the room also facing the bleak prospect of the annual school summer fayre. Next door was a meeting of a different stamp as another committee took shape, the steering committee for the much needed area Free School. Suddenly battle lines seem to be drawn in the community and interestingly, those who already do, those who spend their free time volunteering, organising, fundraising and keeping the community ticking over, they are the ones who are opposed. They stared as their neighbours and fellow parents slipped, half shamefaced, into the room next door commenting only "I should've known she was for it". The local councillor is confident they have no chance but the damage is already being done as those of it who are anti gather in corners to vent our frustration and anger trying not to make it personal because we live near, drink with and know these people. We don't want our friendships ruined but it is so emotive when our children are involved.
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