This campaign is going to be a team effort. If you’d like to help there are lots of ways to get involved. Have a look at the options below and drop us a line if you’d like to participate or if you have any questions.
1 – Canvassing (or door knocking)
A key part of any election campaign is talking to voters and listening to their issues. We’ll be out in Bishopton several times a week from now on and the more volunteers who join us the more people we can speak to before the election. If you haven’t canvassed before then we can pair you up with an experienced campaigner and you’ll be amazed how keen people are to share their experiences and thoughts about their area. We’re running sessions every week, normally Saturday morning and one or two early evenings during the week so drop Lee an email to bishopton@stratfordlabour.org.uk if you’d like to join us and he’ll confirm the dates and add you to our canvassing Whatsapp group.
2 – Phoning voters
Labour’s online ‘Dialogue’ system lets us telephone voters in Bishopton, which is definitely easier on the shoe leather! This can be done from home at a time that suits you so is great if you can’t join us in person on the doorstep. If you haven’t used the system before we can talk you through it and each conversation you have will help us pinpoint Labour supporters. If you’d like to give it a try email Bob at bishopton@stratfordlabour.org.uk.
3 – Talk to people you know
Do you know any Bishopton residents? A personal recommendation can make all the difference in what could be a low turn out election so please drop them a quick message or give them a call and tell them what a great Councillor Lee will be. If they have a question or a particular issue they want to raise then let us know and Lee will get in contact with them directly.
4 – Making a donation
The costs of a campaign, particularly leaflets and mailing expenses quickly add up. We know times are tight for many at the moment but if you can spare a contribution to our funds we will make the most of every pound. If you’re able to make a donation please email our Treasurer, Judy, at treasurer@stratfordlabour.org.uk who can provide our account details.
5 – Supporting our social media activity
As well as the Bishopton By-election page on our website, we’ll be using our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/StratfordLabour) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/stratfordlabour) accounts to share our campaign messages. If you’re not already following us please do and like and reshare posts when you see them.
6 – Leafleting and delivering letters
Many hands definitely make light work when it comes to getting out our leaflets and is a great way to get involved working with a friendly team at a planned session or covering a specific road by yourself at a time that fits your schedule. At the moment we particularly need people on Saturday 14th May and 4th June at 10am so if you’re free for either of those sessions please drop us an email to bishopton@stratfordlabour.org.uk and we’ll give you all the meet up details.
7 – ‘Knocking Up’ Labour voters on polling day
We’ve already had loads of Bishopton residents pledge their support for Lee while we’ve been out on the doorstep but we all know that a local election can get forgotten when people are busy so one of our most important jobs is to make sure those people who support Labour make it through the door of the polling station on election day. We do this by calling on Labour supporters throughout the day to double check they have voted and encourage those that haven’t. Research shows this can increase our vote by 15%. If you’re available to help with this during the day and early evening on polling day please get in touch at bishopton@stratfordlabour.org.uk.
8 – Greeting voters at the polling station
A couple of friendly faces with red rosettes at the polling station is our final chance to leave a positive impression and it also gives us the chance to check off known Labour supporters so we don’t spend time chasing them up later. If you could help with this for an hour or so on polling day please drop Bob an email at bishopton@stratfordlabour.org.uk.