News
I am trying to decide between two alternatives.
Either I put my energies into spreading the general vision that we need an honourable purpose to our national life and then build on that as I campaign about things that illustrate that.
OR I campaign on the such issues as saving the NHS, stopping wasting money on PFI, re-nationalising the railways, equipping the forces adequately and encouraging adherence to human rights and tackling tyrannies in foreign parts ... and in the process build up contacts and let people see my vision in action.
Snippets of my story so far (not in order):
Dunfermline By-Election Feb 2006: 103 votes
I stood in the By-Election in Dunfermline on 9th February 2006. The Liberal Democrat candidate Willie Rennie famously won the seat. He was courteous. I was disappointed to poll only 103 votes and to come last but at least I said my bit and I worked hard at it.
I had felt that a good number of constituents understood the importance of my message. I was a notable sight in the main street with placards on a pole rising above my head. I spent many hours giving out my leaflets in the street and people were very ready to take them.
A local church welcomed me warmly and a friend from student days, a surgeon,and his wife very kindly had me to stay for the duration.
Another party with a christian basis called The Scottish Christian Party stood as well and got 411 votes. Their leader and candidate Rev George Hargreaves and I got on well together. I respect what he has to say, but my message is different.
A sheep among wolves
I am learning on the job. A local newspaper organised an election forum. They invited all the candidates but allowed only the largest four parties onto the podium until George Hargreaves put that right!
He got up to reply to a constituent's question and added that he had been told there was only room on the platform for the candidates of the four largest parties. He added that if they were down here and we were up there, they wouldn't think it was very fair. The audience gave such a roar of support for the underdog that the rest of us candidates were ushered up onto the platform!
I found it hard to make an impression, however, since the evening was dominated by the local people's desire to keep a full range of services at their local hospital and not to pay increased tolls on the Forth Bridge. These issues do matter but it seemed hard to create a more high-minded, far-reaching atmosphere to the evening. So I ended up reflecting on it all and trying to see how to proceed, not yet being a rousing political orator, at least in that sort of setting.
Getting 8650 votes in the European Election in June 2004!
I stood in the European Election in the West Midlands Region in 2004 and came last but got 8650 votes. I travelled 3,000 miles around the region on my little Honda 90 cub motorbike to get good access to the town and city centres and to save money on travel. I walked around lots of town centres with a large rocket on my back so as to be memorable when seen and (with police permission) in the rush hours would often stand by main roads with a large banner showing my portrait and the slogan Vote Dick Rodgers Common Good for MEP. I found that almost everywhere people understood the freshness and importance of my message.
Hartlepool in September 2004: 91 votes
I was disappointed to get only 91 votes although I did not come last. I was tenth out of 14 candidates. Again I campaigned on a shoe string. I found a delightful, friendly place to camp for £2 per night near the town. I travelled up there commuting weekly the 380 mile round trip on another older Honda 90, the previous one having been stolen at the end of June. On the second return trip the bike siezed up and I had to revert to using the car.
General Election:Birmingham Northfield (where I live). May 2005 428 votes
General Election where I live in Birmingham. I found that people really liked what I had to say when I met them on their doorsteps. I distributed a lot of leafets in the streets - this time without my rocket! I still stood by the A38 Bristol Road in all weathers with a new caption each day, explaining my position. 428 people voted for me. I would have liked more and it is hard to break into the electoral system... but it's a start.
My Plans:
Leaflets I gave out leaflets in the street in the autumn 2006 in Birmingham, London, Bristol and Manchester about my main message. This was a key part of my working style. I want to travel widely in the cities of the UK and to become known in the street there as well as getting to know key decision makers, leaders and politicians. My book I have written the draft of a book about my vision and the various issues it touches at home and abroad and would like to hear from anyone who would like to publish it! Working group I am trying to develop my list of contacts into something of a working group. That's not going too well. People are busy. ... although I still think all these things matter and that it will nott pay us to be too busy to think about where we are going as a nation and why we do what we do.
Wales.
When registering the party we included registration of the name Lles Pawb which I understand from a distinguished Welsh academic linguist to convey the meaning of the Common Good. I am keen to develop contacts in Wales and would welcome any invitations to visit.
We are registered with the Electoral Commission to be active in Scotland and Northern Ireland as well.Eventually I want to have a team with specialists in each policy area. I am struggling towards what I think is a very important goal and would love to have contact with you.
You can see how to help Action
Some of my most dependable information comes from Amnesty International's country profiles and other similar sources, references to which I hope to add shortly.Ie this is just a trial to see how I add such links!