And so, a return to blogging

So after a brief period away while I set up my own business, I'm back . And what better reason to start blogging again than the return of a Lib Dem MP in my own constituency and the home of Ham Common - Richmond Park and North Kingston.

This is my first 'home' by election after 20 odd years living here in Ham, and its been quite an experience. Others have blogged about the amazing number of activists who've arrived from all over the country and have done such a brilliant job (for which of course a million thanks), but here's a few highlights of my own experience in the last few weeks.

First, off, there was the stake in the ground, and getting our retaliation in early. This was my first tweet of the campaign...

And we had a leaflet out days before we'd even formally selected Sarah as our candidate - I was distributing rounds by Oct 26th and delivering my own rounds by 27th.  I think the party delivered or posted 29 different  pieces of literature over the campaign. In truth, I lost count after a while...

And let's not forget - we came from a long way back....

The selection meeting - which sadly I missed as I was away - held at our local school on Ham Street...

...followed shortly after by a visit from the boss

Interestingly The Times called it right and early

In those early days, parties pulled out left right and centre, making it quite hard read as an election..

Though others made a different choice...

And then there was just a lot of campaigning. During the course of the campaign Autumn seemed to arrive and leave again....

2 days before the election we had the excitement of Channel Four news, Michael Crick, Quentin Letts, Uncle Tom Cobley and all on the Common; here's a few screen shots....

And finally, the day arrived. 7 am on 1 December found me armed with a rossette and a clipboard , telling outside the Ham polling station. It was below freezing. The ink in the pens kept drying up. Fortunately the good natured cross party telling operation was in full swing and the nice lady with the Zac rossette even gave me a Mars bar. 

After I finished my stint, I ran into 2 deliverers for the Lib Dems, from Streatham and East Dunbartonshire (!) - one of whom read this blog. So I thought if we win, I know what I'll have to do....

I didn't stay up. I got the news the next day. The party invited me to go to the Richmond Green celebratory announcement but sadly I had work commitments - but I did wander past the waiting media on the way to the station... Oh, the glamour

Good luck Sarah. You'll be a brilliant MP

And in every sense - its nice to be back.