No doubt, the title of this post reminds Catholic readers somewhat of their childhood learnings of the Confessional process. Not a deliberate association, I assure you; but one that does give me cause to apologise for those who might have expected a shakedown of the SA State Election a little earlier!
I won't delve into the entrails of slain goats nor the dissections of the psephologists - probably had enough of that, right? I would, however, like to offer a few short comments on the DLP and this election.
Let me begin with a great big 'thank you' to everyone who joined up, donated, prayed, letterboxed, emailed or chatted to friends or stood on a booth on polling day - great effort guys! A special mention to those who came from interstate for the election. In addition to two DLP stalwarts from Victoria, we were gobsmacked when four young fellas made their own way across from Melbourne to help out. Well done!
Major thanks to my upper house running mate, good friend and fellow nutter, David McCabe. Dave's efforts were well and truly above and beyond the call. With work on the following day, Dave was still pulling down posters at midnight the day after the election and had a few more to snaffle before work the next morning!
Mark Freer's commitment as Candidate for Hartley was, likewise, never in doubt. An extra big bouquet to Mark : a political neophite three months ago has now morphed into a seasoned campaignster!
Clearly we did not win a seat in the Upper House. The eleventh position went to D4D's Kelly Vincent - enough said if you read my last post! Put simply: in a polarized election and with virtually no media attention what we achieved was outstanding - even if not quite enough.
We staffed something like 35 booths out of approximately 500 across the state; we ran one lower house candidate from 37 possible - yet we still polled better than many candidates! Imagine what we could achieve with a larger presence!
I guess that's a good point to finish on: If you've appreciated what we've begun in SA and what the DLP is doing, why not get on board. Put the 'U' back in Labor and help the DLP work for the issues that really matter!
Monday, March 29, 2010
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Dear Paul,
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame you didn't make it. I think you did very well. I agree that a lot can be done. One issue is the element of "Labor" do you think some conservative voters may be put off the reference to the Labor Party. Considering there was such a strong swing to the libs maybe that worked against you?
-Bill
Thanks for your comments bill. On the 'Conservative' vs 'Labor' tag I must cnfess that I'm none too sure. We certainly don't describe ourselves as either 'conservative' or 'progressive' which, in reality are the polar opposites.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I'm aware that no-one has been catering for the Labor oriented voter who wants to express traditional family and life values in the way they vote. For some of these, voting Family First, for example, is about as difficult as voting Liberal. So, there is a place for a Labor Party that is a real Labor Party - what the ALP once was and what we remain: a party for workers, for families and for life.
Paul, you are so right and to me the DLP is the TRUE Labor party, which I am going to vote for. I believe in the sanctity of the family unit and the rights of the hard working parents to earn a fair wage. The hard right, money driven Liberals, some of who profess to have religious faith (??)will not get my vote. Conversely, the ALP hard left falls short in areas such as social policy (eg percieved acceptance of same sex marriage) All the best Paul as I admire the history of this beacon of hope, the DLP.
ReplyDeleteThanks again - please tell all yor friends!
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