Political leaflets - just a waste of paper?

[Don Quixote]

We have had a couple of political leaflets through our door over the last couple of weeks - one from Labour and one from Lib Dems.

The idea that either of these pieces of paper would actually attract my vote, or get me to change my vote, seems ludicrous.

So why do they do it? I am sure it takes an age to get them delivered, I assume costs a great deal, is a significant waste of paper. Wouldn't their time be better spent actually campaigning for local people and meeting them?

[iaineasy]

I think your probably right on that one!

[lesalden]

Politicians have a big dilemma here.

Some people think "They're all the same anyway" and no doubt for them a leaflet is a waste of paper as they won't vote.

Some people will vote for the same party whatever the issues. Again a waste of paper.

In between there are a lot of 'floating' voters who genuinely want information about opposing policies, achievements and promises.

Particularly at local level they can only get this by leaflets. (They are unlikely to be in when all of the parties they are interested in knock on the door for a discussion.)

Also readership of local Papers like the Southwark News is low in ED and SE22 doesn't seem to get to my road - but these publications are unlikely to allow opposing political debate in the raw.

Leaflet deliverers can't sort out the above three categories on the doorstep.

So how can people get information?

[Marmora Man]

The m ain aim of political leaflets is to encourage people to contact the local party association - then once you're on the database you can be invited to talks, fundraisers, be asked to deliver further leaflets.

At a local level most political parties are broke - relying on coffee mornings, bring & buy stalls, raffles and the like. The more members they have the more money they can generate and the more activists they can attract to canvas come elections. There are very few "walk ins".

[James Barber]

As one of the three East Dulwich ward councillors I can explain why we leaflet.

Elections are the tip of the iceberg.

Election time is typically 6 weeks which leaves another 198 weeks between local elections.

The leaflets are to tell people what we've done and seek views of where we should consider putting our next efforts.

Its great when people offer to help but mostly its a way of staying in touch.

The painful part. Even though we'll have delivered around 40-50 Focus newsletters from when elected to standing again we'll be asked where have we been as they 'have'nt heard from you for four years'.

[louisiana]

lesalden Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Politicians have a big dilemma here.

> Some people think "They're all the same anyway"

> and no doubt for them a leaflet is a waste of

> paper as they won't vote.

> Some people will vote for the same party whatever

> the issues. Again a waste of paper.

> In between there are a lot of 'floating' voters

> who genuinely want information about opposing

> policies, achievements and promises.

> Particularly at local level they can only get this

> by leaflets. (They are unlikely to be in when all

> of the parties they are interested in knock on the

> door for a discussion.)

Well until yesterday, there was somewhere else to go for this info:

The Straight Choice

which used Ernest Marples to provide the service, as a public service.

Along with other useful free services, such as Planning Alerts.

But then the Royal Mail's lawyers threw the book at them:

http://ernestmarples.com/blog/

So Royal Mail's redundant employees will not be able to use Jobcentre Pro Plus to find new jobs in their locality.

http://jobcentreproplus.com/

Royal Mail: the organisation that just keeps on giving.

> Also readership of local Papers like the Southwark

> News is low in ED and SE22 doesn't seem to get to

> my road - but these publications are unlikely to

> allow opposing political debate in the raw.

> Leaflet deliverers can't sort out the above three

> categories on the doorstep.

> So how can people get information?

[huncamunca]

.

[SeanMacGabhann]

huncamunca - you seem very reticent today. Several posts have been edited back to a "."

Whassamatta?

[Ted Max]

It's s_n_o_r_k_y on his partner's log in, innit.

Just give the man a new user name, FFS.