Campaigning in Lewes

The TRG organised a campaign in day in Lewes where Jason Sugarman is contesting a soon-to-be-very marginal seat. At the next general election, due to boundary changes, the 8000 majority should be slashed to just under 3000, giving us a great change to win what appears to be a no-hoper of a seat. We spent the day leafleting areas that had historically been neglected by the local associations.

Lewes town itself, apparently, is a solid Tory area but they have no CF to speak of. It may well be worth arranging a CF day down there. I've had some minor criticism for not going to Pendle with other CF members. Whilst the Pendle trip was an entirely noble and justified, I had agreed to the TRG event many moons ago and, out of gratitude for all the support they have provided UCL over the last five years, I couldn't let them down. We didn't heavily promote the day out of respect for the national CF event. Unfortunately for me, it wasn't even a Student TRG event so I was acting entirely altruistically!

It is fair to say that the communication from the NME needs to be more strategic and planning needs to longer-term so we don't have overlaps like this. I address this kind of issue in my manifesto of principles, which will be launched in December.