After the early morning session, we grabbed a quick coffee at one of our regular stops in Colindale. Whilst drinking the first caffeine of the day a council worker from Brent came over and sat with us. He said that he had Dawn Butler as his MP and “that Liberal girl” (Sarah Teather). We reminded him that his Conservative candidate was the excellent and very personable Sachin Rajput, who is on the council with me in Barnet. I have known Sach for many years and he has worked very hard in his professional life to become a barrister and has also been appointed to a position within the Cabinet on Barnet Council. We need more people like Sach.

The council employee complained that he was in Forest Gate in East London once and chanced upon Dawn Butler, who explained that she lived there. His response was “but you claim thousands to have a flat in Brent”, to which he received no reply. “We have one of those here”, said one of my activists “ … but he is in Notting Hill”.

Working with my hard-working colleague Adrian Murray-Leonard in West Hendon, three cars stopped and people asked me about postal votes and how they could get them for their children who will be away on polling day. Today is hot as the sun has made an appearance and I notice everyone orders extra drinks at Orli’s in Edgware at lunch. The manageress of a local restaurant tells us she wants leaflets for customers in both Edgware and Hendon so we pass these on.

Canvassing in the afternoon is very pleasant and it is surprising how many people are in during the afternoon. One man comes out of his house as he sees us approaching and, unusually, crushes my hand in a shake and tells me that he is not only supporting us but that he has also made a donation. This is very welcome because, unlike the Labour Party who are sponsored by trade unions, we have to raise money locally. Many people recently received a letter from the Labour candidate that was posted by the Unite union – those are the ones who are striking at BA and disrupting people travel plan. The Hendon Labour Party has also received funding from the GMB Union (London Region) of £2,000 and the Fire Brigades Union of £10,000. Check it out here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/andrew_dismore/hendon This is all completely within the rules but makes you wonder what they want in return?

After meeting constituents at Colindale Tube station in the evening we have another good canvass session. People are really pleased to see us in places like West Hendon, Colindale and Burnt Oak. For our campaign there are no 'no-go' areas.

After dinner in Hendon, I meet up with my Agent. Hilary has been a professional Agent for many years. In some of the past elections I have seen many people think it is a formality to have an Agent but in reality they are financially and legally responsible, not the candidate.