Our delivery teams were out in force as we started delivering the next leaflet in our campaign. Running on the themes of Labour’s job tax and the Conservative councilors 0% Council Tax increase we delivered large areas of the constituency. Local people are enthusiastic to help as they desperately want change from the tired Labour Government. Claire and I meet with the deliverers but rush off to St Mary’s Church in Hendon to hear our banns being read for the second time for our wedding in June. Our names are called during the prayers and again when Rev Clement announces the banns officially – so far no one has come up with any lawful cause for impediment to our getting married.

After canvassing we have lunch in Hendon Park Café with one of our West Hendon council candidates, Lisa Fachler. As we talk about our activities we eat lunch. The falafel platter is outstanding, both in selection and also in value for money. Jonathan, the owner, has really made the Cafe work in the park and it is enjoyable to sit out in the sunshine watching the tennis as we eat. Some Conservative Party members come over and talk to us about the campaign and some young girls come to ask if we are the Conservative Party and will we beat the BNP. “Yes”, I reply. “You need to make sure your mum and dads vote”. “Oh they will,” they reply, “ …and they vote Conservative”. In this campaign we have found very few people who say they will vote Labour. There was a lady in Francklyn Gardens in Edgware but that has been it – even if people do want to vote for Gordon Brown they do not want to admit it. One man comes up to us to ask about the Married Couples Allowance. This means that a married couple will receive a benefit of about £150 per year – showing a clear principal that the Conservatives support the institution of marriage. The same man says, “For £150 you can have my wife - but I will still support you.'

In the late afternoon I drive Mike Freer, the Conservative candidate for Finchley and Golders Green over to the Sri Lankan New Year celebrations at Harrow Leisure Centre. The event, the biggest festival in the country, was hosted by the Sri Lanka Educational, Cultural, and Welfare Foundation. Hundreds of people attended and watched demonstrations of dancing and singing acts. The Sri Lankan New Year does not originate in religion but is marked on a solar basis and that is why Asian countries have similar festivals at this time of year.

After meeting a number of campaign supporters who live in Burnt Oak, we finally go back home and watch The Hurt Locker. The issue of conflict in Iraq (where the film is set) and particularly Afghanistan has been on my mind for some months as I have a friend serving in Afghanistan. I hold my breath each time I listen to the news but thankfully he is home soon.