Today was not just about politicians, it was about the Volunteers

Polling stations have now closed at the end of what is the third General Election we have witnessed in five years. An interesting statistic, but not what I wanted to write about. No politically heavy blog. There has been so much information thrown at us across so many different mediums, that the focus needed to be on something else - the people that sit in the background of these well oiled-machines supporting their political candidate of choice.

It is the Electoral Commission who provides the public with the detail relating to elections and the Returning Officers in local councils who run the Polling Stations, count the votes and announce the results. Very few people within the Constituency Head Office are salaried employees; it is the “foot soldiers”, the volunteers who assist with strategies, marketing, meetings, photo calls, counting out leaflets, putting up garden stakes and posters and so much more. So as I arrived at the H/O of the Conservative candidate in Finchley Golders Green this morning, the hubbub had already started. Polling stations opened at 7am so volunteers were already placed in so many locations across the borough welcoming early voters and to get an idea of what the starting figures looked like. I was welcomed by a cross section of the public - seasoned professionals who had supported Margaret Thatcher way back (her portrait really does follow you around the room) to teeneagers who were motivated that their support and enthusiasm could be a catalyst for change. The whole building was filled with positivity and determination. It was this sense of community that was truly inspirational.

There were many tasks to be completed - from tea making to manning the phones to counting out leaflets and highlighting streets and roads on maps. My task was to be out and about canvassing or “door-knocking” as it is commonly known. So off I went with pen, forms and leaflets in hand, navigating my way around the streets of Finchley. What can be a rather daunting prospect - knocking on the doors of strangers asking what is quite a personal and intrusive question actually turned out to be a pleasant experience. Politics and religion are the 2 topics which evoke a lot of passionate discussions even with family and friends, so imagine today of all days and what the outcome could be!! Yet, the disturbance was graciously received - even those who had decided not to vote for the Conservative candidate, were happy to chat, explaining why they felt an alternative was better. And of course, this is about freedom of choice and Democracy, so it shouldn’t be a negative experience - that’s why we are fortunate to live in the country that we do. Offers of tea were refused because of the time constraints, but the sympathetic comments were gratefully received. At the end of seven hours my feet felt like blocks of ice and i looked like a drowned rat.

My next task was a little easier - accompanying a lady who was unwell to a library disguised as a Polling station for the day. She explained to me that had she not had some assistance it would have been the very first time in 60 years that she had not voted. She said that so many people died to give us the ability and privilege to vote and that was something that she had never taken for granted. In the 21st Century where information is easier to obtain and disseminate we have forgotten that the ability to vote for what we believe in and hope for was not always a given. She was an exceptional person and meeting her most definitely one of the highlights of the day.

As Finchley fell under darkness, I made my way back to see even more volunteers take over and relief those who had been present since the office had opened. Once I had made some tea, consumed some donated cakes, I headed home. Whilst politics does divide us, it also brings us together. We must show gratitude to all those volunteers across the United Kingdom who have tirelessly supported their candidates of choice.

Susie Crolla - Volunteer