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Top Tips for Campaigning
Being canvassed, what you need to know
In the run up to the election you can expect campaign literature from your candidates
through your door, phone calls from the political parties and canvassers on your doorstep
asking for your vote.
If you do get people calling or knocking then use this opportunity to raise the Nursing Counts
campaign and the priorities contained within the manifesto, or any other issues which are
important to you. This is a perfect opportunity to find out where your candidates, or at least
where their party, stands on these key issues for nursing. Have they have signed up to the
Nursing Counts priorities? We’re asking candidates to sign up online here, we’ll be
publishing a list of supportive candidates before the election.
A good idea would be to have a copy of the Nursing Counts general election manifesto near
your door or by your phone. That way you won’t be caught cold and you can refer directly to
the priorities.
Don’t forget to ask the candidate whether they have signed up to Nursing Counts, and if not,
why not! You can email your local candidates from the Nursing Counts website.
Hustings
In the run up to the election it is likely that in every constituency there will be at least one
public hustings event, possibly organised by the RCN, where the candidates for the area will
go head-to-head over the key issues for your constituency. If you can, go along to one of
these, take a copy of the manifesto and ask the candidates if they agree with the priorities
and whether they support the Nursing Counts campaign.
The candidates will no doubt advertise any events they are taking part in on their websites
so it is worth checking back on their sites. You may also find them promoted in your local
papers.
If there are local RCN events taking place in your local area we will of course invite you
along.
Local Papers
Local papers are one of the best places to gain information about your local candidates.
Most of the candidates will have made a point of getting coverage in the papers by
championing local causes or writing into the letters page regularly to increase their profile.
This is a great way to learn what your candidates’ interests are. You can also write into the
paper yourself to ask the candidates questions, or follow up on any of the letters or stories
they have posted.
Vote
Voting on the 7 May is the most important part of the Nursing Counts campaign. To ensure
that you are registered to vote and for information on where and how to vote, visit
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Remember one of these candidates will represent you in the next Parliament, make
sure they know what the Nursing Counts priorities are. Find as much out about your
candidates as possible now to allow you to make the most informed decision when
you vote on 7 May.