Marathon, Edmonton and Oxford Curcus

We're getting very close to the election now, but it's good to know that there is a growing band of supporters right across the capital.
I was out at the Marathon on Sunday. I found a very good spot on Hungerford bridge that allowed me a good view of the runners on the embankment. I managed almost 2 hours in the pretty cold and windy weather, before it started really raining at 2pm and I had to head back home. I'm not a fair weather supporter normally, but after 2 hours I felt I'd done enough. And it was proper nasty rain, cold and wet, not at all summery. I guess the runners had the worst of it though.
Monday and I headed up to Edmonton for my first face to face with Ken supporters. (I can't remember whether I mentioned that I met "The Left List" supporters at the event on Euston road. The one guy I was talking to was very friendly and we discussed a number of issues in the gaps in the flow of people). I must admit that Ken's supporters were also on the whole very friendly and mostly young. We didn't get into any debates as such and they outnumbered me about 6 to 1! There wasn't much 'passing traffic' on the street outside the venue and by the time we arrived most people were already inside waiting in the bar. I bit the bullet and snuck inside and started handing out flyers and newsletters as far and wide as I good. It was quite exhilirating being in amongst a crowd like that, quite a few people who said they definitely wouldn't vote for Boris (or something like that) and I had a chance to make a couple of ripostes. The majority did at least want to read his newsletter. I did a circuit or two before returning outside to the cold, where I met the Ken supporters. We started into a bit of banter and before long they had amassed a web across the road to reach anyone who walked past. I joked that I would get fit running around between them trying to keep up, but in the end there really weren't that many punters.
Boris arrived at around 7. As he got out of his car, I let out an involuntary "Hooray for Boris" and he looked up suddenly and whacked his head on the door frame. Whoops, sorry Boris. I hope he didn't have concussion for the hustings. Ken stumbled in by himself at about 7:20.
The Ken supporters disintegrated at around 7:30 and I followed suit, because it was becoming freezing!
This morning (Tuesday) I was out at Oxford Circus again. It's hard to spot a trend, especially at a station that I have flyered before. I got rid of a good stack of leaflets and had a lot of comments of support. I didn't have as many hecklers as usual, but I did have my first slightly aggresive response, two in fact. One lady who told me I was a 'stupid idiot', to which I pointed out that at least I was getting involved rather than just complaining. The second I didn't really see but it was a guy who shouted "F** off" and I shouted after him, "That's a great political argument, come and have a debate if you think you're smart enough". Needless to say he didn't.
Maybe there is a slight polarisation now. I think also some left wing people who were laughing off Boris a few weeks back, now have seen the polls and are worried and have become slightly more vocal.
I have a huge amount of respect for the Ken and left list supporters, who like me volunteer their time to get out on the streets and support their candidate. As I mentioned to them, we all want a better London. But being on the street like this morning, you realise that there are a lot of people who don't have the same level of maturity or intelligence and who would rather just shout abuse. Well, let them. Sticks and stones, we're still going to win.
Two hustings this evening, should be fun. I'm going to be very very hoarse tomorrow.

More great poll results

Another great result in the opinion polls last night putting Boris 13% clear. Although one of the strongest messages to come with it from BJHQ in the press was that no one can afford to be complacent and we need to keep fighting until the last to make sure we win. Alarmingly I realised that we are just over 3 weeks away from the election (and five weeks from my wedding, but that is another blog altogether). I think that calls for a step up in activity. Maybe 3 mornings a week and 1 evening a week for the next couple of weeks.
I was out at Holborn this morning, after a tip from one of the 'professional' leafleteers (ie. the young guys handing out flyers for theatre tickets) that this was the best station for handing things out. I decided to try the side entrance where there was a steady stream of commuters, although I did have to speak louder than normal as there was a pneumatic drill not so far away.

I'm really starting to notice an increased level of interest. At first (4 weeks ago) I got a lot of smiles from people but not much interest. I still get the smiles, but now there is a lot more interest and the leaflets are disappearing very quickly. At some points I was almost under attack as commuters jostled to grab my leaflets from both sides and I couldn't get them out fast enough. I suppose it's because I am actively campaigning, calling out to "vote for a better London, vote for Boris Johnson". People hear that as they come out of the ticket gates and can make up their minds to come and take one or not.
There was a professional leafleteer in the same exit and I think a lot of people thought he too was giving out Boris material, they might be surprised that Boris is supporting the latest west end theatre production!
Not so many hecklers anymore, I think it shows that people realise that Boris is a contender and they have to take him seriously. It has taken weeks to get his policy ideas out there, but his office has been amazing and virtually every day there has been some new initiative and a photo of Boris around the capital connecting with people. it's great.
I only had one guy who really made a point of showing his disagreement and walked back to rip up the leaflet in my face, 'yes well make sure you put it in the bin'.
All in all, Holborn is a very busy station. I think i will try and recruit some other volunteers to help me there next week.
There was due to be a tube strike on Monday and Tuesday that was canceled, it would have very clearly indicated to commuters the real cost of having a labour mayor.
I have another outing this evening at the no2ID hustings. Should be a good one and I hope we come face to face with the Ken supporters again.