Off Message: An anonymous MP writes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Monday The Tory billboards have disappeared. Dire warnings of super viruses and migrant hordes have been replaced by beautiful English women with impossibly long legs reclining on DFS sofas. I am suspicious. Are these in fact Tory posters revealing an idyllic Britain free of aliens, disease and council tax? "Vote Tory - get a free DFS pouffe!" I am becoming paranoid.
Monday The Tory billboards have disappeared. Dire warnings of super viruses and migrant hordes have been replaced by beautiful English women with impossibly long legs reclining on DFS sofas. I am suspicious. Are these in fact Tory posters revealing an idyllic Britain free of aliens, disease and council tax? "Vote Tory - get a free DFS pouffe!" I am becoming paranoid.
Tuesday An old friend visits to help. We deliver leaflets in a hurricane. He suffers the classic deliverer's injury. Fingers jammed into the plastic draft excluder, he is easy meat for the house dog which removes a nail and a chunk of flesh. Off to hospital for a tetanus jab. Nine days to go.
Wednesday Iraq explodes on the campaign with a predictable vengeance. The Attorney General's advice reveals no more than many of us had suspected. I have a sense of dull anger. All over the country decent Labour candidates who, as MPs, fought and campaigned against this debacle now have it hung round their necks like a dead bird.
Thursday Off to Canterbury for Radio Kent hustings. I hear a wonderful story from a long-term Labour stalwart. She wears a lucky charm on her necklace in the form of a five-point star. She is canvassed by a Tory. She tells him politely that he is wasting his time. Undeterred, he informs her that she "has something in common with Michael Howard". "What?" she asks alarmed. "You're both Jewish immigrants," he says. She says: "My family have lived in Kent for 500 years."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments