The Labour Behind The Party

Behind the Scenes of a Campaign

For many people, electoral campaigns consist of smiling candidates on roadside hoardings and, maybe, a meeting in a dusty hall.  However, for every candidate running for office there is a dedicated team of unsung heroes working hard behind the scenes to get them elected. Over the last few weeks, I have been helping the campaign team behind Greg Milner-White, Labour Party Candidate for East Coast Bays. Observing first hand the work that goes into an election campaign has been a privilege.  I have also been fortunate to meet a group of people who are passionate, hard working, loyal and committed to the Labour cause.

Vic, Shane and Greg, out on the streets

  
Over the course of the campaign, hundreds of hours are spent:

Learning from Derek

• delivering pamphlets
• knocking on doors
• phone canvassing
• running stalls at the local markets
• organising street corner meetings
• sign waving
• attending candidate meetings
• organising electoral rolls
• on the streets talking with potential voters
• putting up hoardings
• fixing hoardings, and
• taking down hoardings

All of these jobs are done voluntarily, by people who have full time jobs, and families.  

Why do they do it?

The answer, they care about New Zealand and believe the values and principles of the Labour Party will make it a better place.  For some, involvement with Labour and campaigning goes back 30 years. For others, campaigning is a new experience.  

Developing a thick skin on the campaign trail

One member of the team I spoke to is a retired teacher whose granddaughter is about to start school.  For her, Labour's education policy was the incentive to get involved with campaigning for the first time. 

My beautiful wife and I wanted to get involved to help Labour win the election and make New Zealand a positive place for our children to live.

My wife got more toots, why was that?

     

Regardless of how many election campaigns you have been on, it is essential to develop a thick skin.  When you don a red rosette and take up pamphlets you become fair game for all manner of comment from the voting public.  The key is to smile and not take it personally.  For every negative comment, there is someone who wants to share a personal story or anecdote with you.  Every thumbs up, toot or smile keeps you going. 

Some of the ECB Labour Team

Finally, I have learnt there is one thing that a campaign team needs, a good quality candidate to get behind.  Fortunately, the East Coast Bays team has got an excellent candidate in Greg Milner-White.  Greg leads the team from the front, getting out on the streets, on the phones and knocking on doors. His calm, confident manner is reassuring when the going gets tough. He is the glue that binds the team.  

The Labour Party relies on volunteers to carry on the good work.

Will you consider volunteering to be the labour behind the Party in your electorate?