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kelli - ran 2 miles a day for 2012, aiming for the same for 2013 Started conversation May 24, 2005
Hi DD,
I've always wondered what election candidates do when they aren't being election candidates, both before and particularly after the election campaign if they don't et elected.
Do you have a 'proper' job that you do full time and understanding bosses that give you time off for the campaign on the understanding that you'll come back if you don't get elected? Or are you a full-time politician that is paid by the party you belong to? I'm fascinated by the process and cannot see how you could do your bit as a candidate while holding down a full time job - and what happens if the returning officer announces that you have been elected, does the understanding boss get a morning's notice that you won't be coming back?
I know there are people like Boris Johnson that see being an MP as something to fit in around their other jobs but for normal, everyday folk who aren't editors of newspapers how do you reconcile making a living with your political ambitions?
I hope you don't mind me asking - feel free not to answer!
k
Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?
Demon Drawer Posted May 24, 2005
Proper job?
Yes I work in a call centre. However a lot of candidates who are fighting marginal seats with a solid chance of winning went part time of left work at the start of the year.
Understanding bosses that give you time off for the campaign?
I had to take 2 weeks annual leave for the last fortnight of the campaign . Although there were understanding enough for me to book this provisionally on the proviso that Blair went to the county for an election on 5 May. Some of my fellow candidates have booses who gave them leave from when the election was called until the Monday afterwards. University Professors being a case in point.
Full-time politician?
No I’m not though I have applied for numerous jobs within the party over the last few years. My fellow candidate who stood in the constituency I lived in was the successful applicant for one of the jobs I was short-listed for.
Holding down a full time job while campaigning?
You fit in into the evenings and weekends. There are meetings, canvassing, writing literature etc that goes on at all times. The same as if you are applying for a new job you fit it in. Just that the whole process takes months and years rather than weeks. In fact I’m already gearing up for the 2007 Local Election campaign and looking at standing in the same constituency at some point in the next five years.
If the returning officer had announced me elected?
After fainting I would have handed in my notice effective immediately. I do not know what reaction I would have got but, I wouldn’t have been back in here. I would have left a message on my managers voice mail immediately I was still on the leave the day after the count and boy did I need it.
Although ask me these questions in two years time when I have a winnable chance ina council seat and you may find different answers.
Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?
kelli - ran 2 miles a day for 2012, aiming for the same for 2013 Posted May 24, 2005
Interesting, thanks for answering
This does give the incumbent MP rather an advantage doesn't it? Their full-time job has been suspended (do MPs still get paid during the period where parliament has been dissolved?) so they can pretty much hit the streets of their constituency all day. I always thought it must be expensive to stand as an independent but I guess it is just as expensive to be part of a party. Hmmm.
Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?
Demon Drawer Posted May 24, 2005
There are advatanges standing as part of a party obviously other people help with the cost for example a local member of the party put up the money for the disposit £500. We are always fundraising to keep money in the coffers.
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