The Final Countdown

The Count is always exciting and I have been to many since 1997 when I first became involved politically helping in our local office.



The Count is restricted in numbers and I had been in Northants till the Polling Station closed


and went home opened a bottle of wine and stayed awake most of the night.I had been in Dudley helping the previous evening and wished everyone good luck





The results came flowing in and a blue pattern emerged on the Countries map but what also was clear was that neither the Conservatives or Labour would have that majority vote they required to take over the next Government.





I had heard from the young adults in Dudley who had given their time to help voluntary deliver and canvass the area and kept in touch on the chat line on facebook and who were proud of their candidate who they supported.The photographer had been efficient in making sure the recent photos taken at the count were on facebook for those to see who coundnt attend the count that evening.The candidate Chris Kelly had looked nervous to begin and then after his winning speech he spoke on radio and had gained confidense.The results for Dudley North came in much later on Friday afternoon and although hadnt gained that seat had come really close.





News began to arrive on facebook from friends around the Country and I realised we would ned to keep in touch especially if another election was to be called.


friday evening I met friends,councillors and the new MP Chris Heaton Harris at the Conservative Club for an informal gathering and yesterday a message from Chris on facebook


to say he was on his way to London where he would meet the team there.


I had known Chris for over ten years during his polictical career when he was an MEP for the east Midlands and supported him when he was selected as our local candidate.





The final countdown and a friend photo appeared on facebook taken by her daughter.Karen and I had attend SOS High School back in 1968 and one of her daughters was attending Sheffield Hallam. I had linked a friendship with BUCF group and had attended a meeting with the Shadow Minister for International Development at Birmingham University during the election.


photos of that meeting soon appeared on facebook for everyone to see who entered my site.


I shall speak today at the Market Place event supporting our Youth services and for those who attend I can make aware how facebook can bring people together and engage with Youth today giving them the opportunity of reading more about polictics,religion,crime, families,the environment and health and well being, these are important issues in their lives today.





After the results were announced and it was clear that important decisions were to be made


there were those who had entered my site to become friends on facebook which has now incresased to over 320 friends.

I was pleased to see that Ed Vaizey was busy in london with the team helping to make those decisions.

We had all voted for change but also for our Country and our leader David Cameron has tough times ahead with important decisions to make and needs our support,our proffessionalism,and the team working together, "We are all in this Together"

The results were still arriving on Friday afternoon and a decision who will go be in Government still hasnt been decided.

Messages were sent through facebook with concern with what happens next but also messages that are memorable to those who will always remember the General Election 2010 and the amount of seats that were gained by the Conservative Party also thsoae who came a close second will have that chance to try again.

The Campaign had been long for those candidates who were selected three years ago and had begun their campaign at that time.

A tax rebate in 2008 had given me the opportunity of travelling the country helping with the different campaigns and soon came to realise which were marginal areas and which were winnable and where I could help most.The whole programme of events for each campaign had been significant and many people had volunteered in each area to assist getting those programmes achieved and the results started to flow in the early hours of Friday morning this week.









I had recieved a letter from David Cameron written from "The Bottom of his heart, thanking everyone for their help in this General Election and those who had voted Conservative.









It had been an impressive result and all those who worked with him also sent everyone a huge thankyou.









Now important decisions have to be made and we have to be patient knowing whatever is decided is right for our Country.