It's All About You
190 Miles, 300 doors knocked, 500+ conversations: My extraordinary trip around East Wiltshire by bike
Day 1: GWH – Liddington – Wanborough – Hinton Parva - Bishopstone
The trip had been originally planned as a fundraiser for the Stroke Association and had been due to start from the front of the Hospital, with some of the stroke team who were so instrumental in saving my life 2 years ago. Due to the call of the election, we could not do that, so began instead at the turn off from the Marlborough Road.
On this particular day, huge queues of traffic going in as there seemed to be insufficient parking places. The hospital opened only 20 years ago is already operating beyond is design capacity.
The constituency boundary travels southwards down the Honington road and we cycle into a new estate and use the megaphone for the first time. We canvass some doors, most people unaware that they are in East Wiltshire, when logically of course they should sit with Swindon.
I then immediately fell off (at low speed!) riding across an uncut grass verge as my front wheel disappeared down a huge but invisible hole. No harm!
Heading east, under the A419 and then suddenly we are in rural Wiltshire. To Liddington, Wanborough and lunch at the Plough. I chatted to 3 locals at the bar, who reluctantly at first discussed politics but warmed. One gentleman shook my hand and thanked me for standing and urged me to try and help the NHS.
Back on the bikes, some more canvassing (all positive), a few megaphone calls and on the road to Hinton Parva and Bishopstone. We gained a few poster sites (the yellow diamonds) on the way, and felt encouraged by the conversations. My doorstep pitch – (sometimes shortened to suit) is:
Hi - I’m David. I’m the Lib Dem Candidate for East Wilts. I’m 57 – so I am not a career politician. I am my own man. I’m running for the first time as I can no longer sit shouting at the TV whilst our nation declines, and the opportunities for our children disappear. I’ve lived in Wiltshire for 29 years, in Bulford, Wroughton, Chiseldon, Devizes and now Marlborough. I am genuinely local. All my kids have gone to state schools here, local hospitals delivered my kids and GWH saved my life. I drive on the same potholed roads as you every day and pay my Council Tax here.
I’ve had a career in the Army, leaving as a Major after 15 years, and then a career in technology, software and networking. I’ve got the local knowledge and the business and real-world skills and experience that we need in Parliament.
I have never worked for a right wing think tank, been a “Spin Doctor”, or a “Special Advisor”. I am not from politics; I am from life.
I am passionate about honesty in politics as it is dishonesty that has brought us here. Dishonesty about gold wallpaper, parties, trips to Barnard Castle, PPE contracts, but above all dishonesty about the extent to which austerity has collapsed our public services and dishonesty about Brexit which has removed our opportunity to grow the economy and fix them. Neither Labour or the Tories are being honest about this to the electorate and offering anything that will fix it. We need a strong centre ground party to prize open the truth and reality of what we face. We need to be honest, to have grown-ups in the room – only then can we begin to fix our country. The truth is that to begin to repair our services we will require tax increases. The truth is that to grow our economy we have to repair our relationship with Europe and rule nothing out.
We also absolutely need to think about electoral reform – huge majorities on small vote shares are undemocratic and lead to voter apathy and bipolar politics. We cannot have red/blue/red/blue forever. We have to have parties of all colours working together, to make the lives of the people that live here better not just work for power for the next 5 years. This is why I am standing for the Liberal Democrats, and this is why you should vote for me. Be Brave Vote Dave
Almost every doorstep conversation based on this went well. People like this. It’s common sense. It’s untainted by politics.
We carried this on at the Royal Oak – in politics corner. I spoke to an initially reluctant pig farmer, who was passionate and so happy with his job. Alarmingly I met the second person of my travels who had no acceptable form of Voter ID and did not know how to get one – I promised to send him the details.
Day 2: Bishopstone – Baydon – Aldbourne - Ramsbury
To Baydon, we crossed the ridgeway on our tiny bike, much to the concern of the pro cyclist in our support team – but it was fine, and beautiful. Stopped at a few very remote houses to the surprise of occupants who admitted they had never been doorstepped before. We hit the shop at Aldbourne and canvassed all the houses around the green. We found a lovely lady celebrating her 90th birthday, a committed Lib Dem who knew David Steele.
I sent a note to Bear Grylls asking him to be even braver, and Vote Dave.
Not enjoying the B4192 and running late we had to skip Chilton Foliat and headed straight to Ramsbury for the D -Day commemoration and Beacon lighting. I loaned my megaphone to the poor vicar with a sore throat who was struggling to make herself heard and had to stand, a little awkwardly at her side during the service. But happy to help.
Day 3: Ramsbury – Froxfield - Bedywns – Wilton - Burbage
Froxfield – we met the lovely Pat and Barry who showed us their motorbikes, made us tea and invited us to the Beer festival taking place the next day.
Little Bedwyn very quiet, I only managed to speak to one person! But then to Great Bedwyn and lunch at the amazing Wendy’s Community Juice Bar based in an old village Bowling Clubhouse. We met the rights of way team, discussed the challenges of definitive footpath routing and had a lovely lunch. Oher more macho cyclists looked with some pity at our fold up bikes.
Took a detour to travel along the canal and to deliberately speak to some continuous cruisers who I knew had some challenges. The fees have climbed by 65% over 3 years, but the key facilities of water and waste disposal are just not working.
Dinner and a chat with locals at the Swan at Wilton. Same issues arise – huge lack of trust and disengagement with politics. Everyone seemed to wish me well. I hope this translates to votes.
Day 4: Burbage – Grafton – Chutes - Ludgershall
On the way to Grafton we found some papers scattered on the road and having scooped them up found a few phone numbers and tracked down the grateful owner. She had left them in her diary on the roof of her car!
This is not an area that I have travelled through much and it is stunning. David Pike – who lives in Chute rode with us and provided a constant stream of commentary on houses, history and roman roads. The hills are epic, and the lack of gears hurt. But we pressed on.
Ludgershall was in full flow with a D-Day party and I toured the grounds. I had long sit-down chat with Veterans in Action. No photos as I didn’t think it great to try and pitch next to a Charity. Billy McLoud has built the charity from scratch delivering Wilderness and Adventure therapy – and it has worked. The big takeaway for me was that smaller charities can be more effective and efficient in delivering results than the biggest (SSAFA, Combat Street, RBL, H4H). I committed to coming to visit and supporting if I was elected, and if I had time, even if not. We need to recognise the contribution of the smallest charities.
I spoke to as many young people as I could – many not voting, but gave them BE BRAVE VOTE DAVE cards and at least had a laugh. I hope they do vote.
Meet and Greet at the Queen’s head was quiet – but it was a beautiful summer’s evening after all!
Day 5: Ludgershall – Collingbournes – Everleigh - Tidworth
The Collingbournes were great. We spent lots of time at the Cricket club, admiring the new clubhouse and chatting to everyone. I met a Royal Signals officer who is working for the Chief of the Defence Staff – Patrick Sanders who I was at Staff College with – so I asked him to pass on a BE BRAVE card.
Lunch at the Barleycorn and a really long conversation about SEND residential care with the owners of a small family run care home that was eye opening. Children’s residential care, foster care and special schools have steadily been taken over by profit-making companies with no transparency of charging and huge profits. Also, widely different increases and changes in Social Care rates from different local authorities make long term planning difficult. The genuine care this home delivers is remarkable. They take all their residents away on holiday every year, and their son Jamie won an award for his work with Makaton. Incredible to hear that by helping one patient so much, they actually lost money as care needs were assessed as being lower. Urgh.
Across the plain to Everleigh on the worst track of the trip (we had to walk). A brief conversation with a resident of Berwick St James – and we couldn’t immediately work out if it was inside East Wilts or not – but he said if it was he would vote for me!
Tidworth to the Ram pub on national DAVE day commemorating the life and loss of the Hairy Biker Dave Myers. When I lived in Bulford, the Ram was out of bounds to Officers, so I have never visited. It was really good, lively and vibrant pub. Big issues that emerged was the very high water bills charged by Veolia, the sometimes poor quality of accommodation (married and single).
Dinner was a Kebab. A rare treat..
Day 6: Tidworth – Bulford - Amesbury
Lisa left me to go back and help with deliveries and leaflets. I had a quick and excellent shave and haircut from one of the Tidworth barbers and off to Bulford and then Amesbury. I called in at our old MQ in Bulford. It hadn’t changed much. The occupier’s daughter was revising her GCSEs so didn’t delay – but wished them well. I also called in to my old Commanding Officers house – with none of the nervousness that I had back then! More votes there.
More door knocking all around the quarters, and in Bulford village. I met a member of the Parish Council who had received my original letter about the trip and was pleased to chat. Also a lady who was looking after he husband who had a stroke. We talked strokes, care, carers allowance and about the Stroke Association. I was incredibly lucky to be unscathed.
I then had a really long conversation with a phenomenally engaged RAF officer and his wife out walking their dog. Thank-you and I hope I convinced you.
Telegraph hill then nearly killed me. I didn’t realise there was a path I could have pushed my bike up until I got to the top.
Into Amesbury, canvassing on the way, and the heavens then opened. A good pint and politics at The George (and the rooms there are excellent) – lively discussion and real optimism.
Day 7: Amesbury – The Woodfords – Great Wishford
I had been looking forward to this day, heading out of Amesbury down the Woodford valley. This was all in the Salisbury constituency and it does feel naturally aligned South, not North, and if elected I will need to work hard to ensure that I engage here. I have already written to a resident suggesting that I will hold regular surgeries in Amesbury, Pewsey, Wroughton and Tidworth/Ludgershall as well as a constituency office in Marlborough. Many doors I knocked on still did not know the boundaries had changed – and I had to explain (not always successfully) it wasn’t my fault.
Crossing the sparkling Avon at West Amesbury, I made a video about sewage pollution. It is quite unbelievable is has been allowed to reach this point.
So many conversations mainly with passers-by rather than through door knocking. Memorably one lady told me that I had let myself down by calling myself Dave – “only if you are a crashing snob madam”. She grinned.. and took a leaflet!
Lunch at the Bridge, and a conversation with every occupied table. A leaflet for Sting’s house, a knock on as many doors as possible and finally to the very Southern tip of the constituency at Great Wishford. A very lovely and lively Pint and Politics at the Royal Oak with 20 odd conversations on everything from vaccinations to the Army and a very long conversation with a head teacher about issues in education. One single mum nurse came to see me to tell me of her disgust with Johnson for the lies and the parties. I agreed. The pub is great, just reopened and a real treasure. I stayed at the old post office B&B and slept like a log.
Day 8: Great Wishford – Berwick St James – Winterbourne Stoke – Shrewton - Tilshead
Heading North now – the uphill run home begins. Amazingly, I managed to track down the guy I met in Collingbourne who lived in Berwick St James to tell him that yes – it is in the constituency (obviously) and I had a cup of tea there. Most conversations here dominated by traffic and the Stonehenge Tunnel – almost all living here want it to go ahead as relief from the traffic chaos that ensues all summer. I stopped in Winterbourne Stoke (a village bisected by the A303) to chat to Ian West who was a councillor for years and with huge experience on the tunnel. We had spoken before, but had never met and he is a gentleman.
Through Shrewton – stopping at the Garage for some air and a breather and left some leaflets and spoke roadside to residents. I then was picked up to get back to Marlborough for a meeting on Flooding, and then back on my bike afterwards to Tilshead for a very busy Wednesday evening at the Rose and Crown and again felt strong support and goodwill. Overnight with friends.
Day 9: Tilshead – Larkhill – Durrington – Figheldean - Netheravon
To Larkhill, in blustery wind. Called in at Trinity Grain which I had never seen before – a huge grain storage facility – perhaps the largest in the South of England. Knocked on 30 doors + but only managed 2 conversations, so went to the café in search of people but not much joy there either! Headed to Durrington to Maples café and knocked doors at last finding people to talk to. A lady here told me she has been waiting 18m for a knee operation and has been unable to work. Her PIP and Universal Credit means she can just live. No passport, no internet, not TV license. If her knee were fixed she would get her life and her dignity back.
Door knocking next in Figheldean and someone knows me already – a friend of the man from Berwick St James.
Finally to Netheravon and another lively Pint and Politics at the Dog and Gun. People really do want grown up politics, and can see that a strong third party would help with that.
Day 10: Netheravon – East Chisenbury – Upavon – Rushall - Marden
Raining. I spent a long coffee break in the Netheravon café and joined a family table of 6 for a long conversation about housing, care and challenges of EHCPs. I also discovered the scandal of visa costs for overseas spouses that have married a UK serviceman or woman. We charge £1000s of pounds in Visa fees just for spouses to be able to reside in the UK. Its hostile and unnecessary.
To East Chisenbury – popped into the Red Lion for water only and a chat to anyone there, into Upavon and canvassed a number of houses. Some very disaffected conservative voters whom I hope I gave confidence that there is a credible alternate.
Through Rushall, past Joe Wookey’s amazing Organic farm and to Marden to stay with friends and another P&P at the Millstream. All supporters!
Day 11: Marden – Chirton – Bottlesford - Pewsey
Raining a lot. This was not a great day as I kept leaving things behind. My helmet twice – and then each time didn’t realise until I had gone 5 miles so had to retrace my steps. Few people in, no one out and about – but I stuck to it, knocking up nearly 40 doors. I did speak to Anthony – out on a run who was thinking Labour, but I converted him on PR, on Brexit and on being a local person. I also fell off again (pothole, but soft landing). A good chat with a farmer concerned about lack of subsidy for their type of farming, and prospect of GM being permitted under a Labour government. I had to skip Beechingstoke (sorry), but popped into the Seven Stars at Bottlesford and spoke to 4/5 family groups – all very positive. Finally, to Pewsey along the main road which isn’t pleasant on a bike, but an excellent P&P at the Royal Oak. Excellent discussion about the lack of profitability in dairy farming and the lack of power felt by farmers, and about Domiciliary Care provision – particularly about the disparity between different private providers on the amount of time allocated to provide care to a client.
Day 12: Pewsey – Wilton – Honeystreet - Lockeridge
Sunshine again, and a glorious start through Wilcot by the canal. Lots of passers-by to chat to, all willing to talk. The Pewsey vale looked glorious and I took a detour off of my planned route and headed to the Honeystreet café and then the Barge at Honeystreet and had a very good 2 hours talking to almost every table. Even tables that didn’t want to talk then joined in! I think a combination of the sunshine and so many positive conversations started to give me real hope that we can make a change here. To Lockeridge, a few more Danny Kruger signs in evidence here, but knocked doors, stopped cars (one had heard my “Vote Dave” song). At the Who’da the pub crowd were positive. I had a long chat outside with a local retired but well-connected businessman which went well and then headed in. England game was on, but we had 10 people to come and listen and ask questions. Thank you for a really enjoyable night.
Day 13: Lockeridge – Avebury - Wroughton
A long ride to Avebury and then on to Wroughton. I stopped at every village and knocked at least 5 doors each. Quick pause for lunch at Avebury – almost everyone here was from outside the constituency. I was joined by the indefatigable Stan, one of our members from Swindon who had cycled out to Avebury to cycle back to Wroughton with me. We door knocked again, found another poster site. And endured, not enjoyed the A4361 to Wroughton – there isn’t really an alternate route and it’s not a good road for cyclists.
We headed to Wichelstowe first, and then back to Wroughton, a call into Berkley Farm, and some more door knocking, but finally to the White Hart for 7:30 – huge apologies to those that came at 6:30pm due to an error on our leaflet and then came back – but we got there and thank you for your patience.
Day 14: Wroughton – Chisledon – The Ogbournes
Home straight! To Chiseldon first to the church my first daughter Charlotte was christened. I looked at a Bees nest in the rafters, and enjoyed the churchyard. I met Ros who had travelled down from Aldbourne to say hello, knocked on some doors to get some conversations going. I called into our old house at Talavera Road to find all 8 Married Quarters there derelict and unoccupied. Its scandalous – I made a short video about the sale or Defence quarters estate and why it was such a bad deal.
I was joined by some outriders for the final journey back along the Sustrans path to Marlborough. Almost impossible to cross the main A346 by the Silks – there is just too much traffic on this route.
Through the Ogbournes and back to Marlborough and a final welcome back at the Green Dragon
So What did I find out
190 Miles, 300 doors knocked, 150 opened! 500 + conversations almost all positive.
I gained huge insight into as many lives as I could in a short period. Travelling by bike is unthreatening and accessible – you can just stop and chat to anyone. If elected, I absolutely commit to doing this every year I am in office.
What I heard, chimes with me. People really do want a change in politics, they want the county to be run by people making decisions cross par.ty for the long-term benefit of the people of this county.
Stop the games and deliver better lives.
Be Brave, Vote Dave