Have you actually seen/met any candidates yet and what did you think of them?

[said]

Saw both of mine yesterday! The tory looked pompously sheepish (can you be both?) and looked a bit scared to talk to anyone - no eye contact. The LibDem (current MP) said "Hello". He gets my vote

Our local Labour MP came to our house the other day! Was a bit of a surprise, she was very nice and answered lots of my questions.

I was at a debate which my work was involved in organising. My impression of the three main party reps there was:

Lib Dem - came across arrogant, didn't even make eye contact with me, certainly didn't smile

Labour - very friendly man. Seemed nice enough.

Conservative - really friendly lady.

On what they said Lib Dem and Labour made most sense. Conservative didn't have any substance.

I plan on voting Lib Dem but have more of a Labour background traditionally. Despite this based on initial first impressions, I was most impressed with the Tory lady (until she spoke).

Conservative one was at school after school about a week ago. He looked like a bullfrog. Then drove round in vintage car. Think it belongs to local conservatives as there has been minor boundary change so different mp but same car. Shouldn't think any other candidates will be doing anything as seat will stay Tory.

We saw our local Labour candidate campaigning on the high street and had a nice chat. He looked smaller and thinner than his photos on his leaflets suggested, but was very pleasant. His leaflets were rubbish actually, they told you nothing of his background and passion to be my MP, which is a shame I think.

Our Tory candidate hasn't been seen, but doesn't need to as he has an enormous majority so he is probably drinking sherry with his chums somewhere.

No sign of the Lib Dem - not even sure if there is one as not even had a leaflet.

The other parties don't really invest much energy into this area given the Cons majority.

Saw the local dirty rotten tory. Who is a merchant banker. Who lives in London. Great local candidate for the people of Bromsgrove then...

Pisses me off that cos it's a 'safe' tory seat, they field the crappest of the crap candidate, cos they know they're going to win anyway.

I've had a chat to my Lib Dem potential MP for about 10 minutes - he was standing at the rail station one morning. And quick word when he was getting up a petition a few months ago.
Labour potential MP - said hello when he was standing in the high street.

Both of them seem like good guys who know their stuff and they've lived in the area for over 30 years (the Labour guy's leaflets make a big thing of him being the only candidate 'born and bred' in the borough, but LD guy has actually lived here about as long, being about 15 years older...)

Lab guy will get the 'good-looking vote' but I suspect he might be a slavish whip-follower.

Have met I think all 3 Labour councillors and all 3 LD potentials. The Lab chap I had a 15-min chat with seemed pretty good as I grilled him, but local issues mean I favour the LDs.

Can you tell I live in a hotly-contested Lab/LD marginal?? I've had at least 2 comms a day for the last month, and at least one a week for the last 3 years...