Aviva Total Politics 2010 Election Map

Total Politics - because knowledge is power

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Polling on the cheap

I run a local residents group and I'd like to do some polling, but obviously having a poll commissioned independently is bit out of our price league! Are there any cheap ways to do polling that are reliable? Is a survey enough?

The cheap way is to knock on doors or call people!

 

First - decide what you want the result of your poll to be, because this will help define how you conduct the poll and amongst whom. Think about your sample and whose views you want. Also try to cover the area by doing some people in each area or street.

 

Second - decide how many responses you will need in order to give it credibility. A residents group could provide anything between 100 and 500 responses depending on how much time you have, but make it a round number that looks good in the local media or on a newsletter.

 

Third - devise your questions to ensure you get the answers you want. Also ensure that your questions are easy to answer so they are either yes/no or rank in order. Ensure that your first question (of only six or seven) is easy to answer as this will encourage residents to complete your poll.

 

Fourth - this is the most important stage. Frame your results before you release them. The aim is for people to discuss your results not your methodology. If you call it a poll then that is what it is! A local residents group has credibility in the local media so make the most of it. If you have a list of residents' email addresses you could do an online poll at http://www.surveymonkey.com/.

 

Don't stab him in the back

I'm active in my local party and have been helping out with our PPC's campaign. However there's a lot about him that I really don't think makes him suitable for public office. I feel I should do something, but I don't want to damage my own prospects. What would you suggest?

If you think your opinion matters (and it probably doesn't) then you should contact your Party HQ either regionally or nationally and make your concerns known. However, if you think the answer is to 'drip poison', gossip, brief against or leak to local media then be aware that journalists (reptiles) do not keep 'off the record' conversations private if it is not in their interests and 'he who wields the knife rarely prospers'. Put up or shut up and go to work for another campaign.

 

Make a virtue of your surname

I have a slightly unusual surname and it isn't obvious from the spelling how it should be pronounced. I'm worried this might be a problem and would like to address it, but aside from visiting every voter and saying "hi my name is XXXXX" how can I make sure everyone knows?

Does it matter? - what you do have is a better chance of name recognition - make a virtue of it. Your unusual name gives you an opening gambit to every conversation and perhaps even a local story because of the background to your name. So, rather than worry I would say look at ways you can exploit it.

 

Proxies can deliver

I've been told that using a proxy group to distribute leaflets against my opponent is illegal in the UK. But what's to stop a group of concerned residents writing to other residents about their concerns?

Well you have been told rubbish for a start. Of course, a proxy or third parties' can deliver leaflets for you. There is nothing to stop proxy or third parties getting involved.

 

In fact, it should be encouraged because their endorsement could be more influential amongst the voters than anything else. The only restrictions are during campaigns so to get around these ensure the third party has a record of communication with the electorate that precedes the campaign and you should not 'organise' them.

 

Also they should attack your opponent and avoid specifically endorsing you, there are so many ways of getting the same point over to the electors, so be imaginative.

 

Getting the yoof vote

Are there any techniques you would particularly recommend for engaging young voters?

Like any other segment of the electorate, first decide: what is the point of engaging them, will it make a difference? If you decide it is necessary then be prepared to work hard and receive little benefit. The simple answers are:

 

Face-to face: Too often younger voters are patronised by others assuming that they are only interested in certain issues not the same issues as the rest of the voters. So get in front of young people - in colleges or relevant organisations (they wont be impressed with leaflets put through the door) - or mail them directly using bought data (if you can afford it) or electoral roll information. Then find out what they are interested in and what they see as important - let them tell you then you can shape your appeal accordingly.

 

Inspire them: Successful politicians who have engaged younger voters (Regan, Clinton, Obama, Blair or Thatcher) have inspired - we can't all be like them but the point is you don't have to be 'young' to engage if you treat younger voters with respect and are straightforward and more than anything give them a reason to be
engaged and involved in politics.