Nus Ghani: The long build-up to the general election risks losing the attention of voters

Countdown continues

First came the 100 day count down, then the 99 days and then 98 days till the election.

The media is trying to create a frenzy with a daily count down, but the fixed term parliament already feels like a long election campaign for us street-pounding candidates and with another three months to go, let's just hope our voters don't tune out.

A picture says 100 words

I stepped out of my constituency of Wealden to support a fellow candidate who has served their community for five years and is seeking re-election. I was not surprised that behind every door I knocked on, residents knew of the solid public service that their MP had been delivering, she had great name recognition.

This is in stark contrast to recognition of all the political party leaders. This weekend I was not only armed with my paper and pen to mark voting intentions, but also had a flyer with the faces of all the political parties and it came in handy.

After speaking to several residents who had never bothered to vote, my hopes were raised when I interrupted one lady with a bright and breezy "can I ask you how you voted in the last election?" After her initial shock at being door stepped she identified her MP, but couldn't remember which party she had voted for.

As I went through the options, it soon dawned on me, that my snazzy photo flyer would help and it did. She identified her preferred leader, but was now going to switch her vote to another party leader. Nothing unusual in that you might think, until I had to explain which party each leader actually represented. Just another 98 days to go and I wonder what impact the impending political campaign will have on those who are already disengaged.

Snowfall – the season candidates dread

Back in Wealden, as the snow begins to fall and the team dreams of hot drinks and how many gloves you can actually wear and still hold a pen and write down voting intentions, we take a break for a spot of fundraising and a membership drive.

This time it was a curry night in Forest Row and demand for tickets was twice that of the restaurant's capacity. Not just supporters had bought tickets, but also undecided voters and I knew I had to deliver a punchy speech but also manage the crowd as questions were flung from all directions on Greece and the EU referendum, Barack Obama's visit to Saudia Arabia and permeable paving stones in flood risk areas.

Coming close to losing my voice (speaking to a room of close to 90 people debating or eating – note to self, buy a microphone) I left the warm restaurant another day done – and the countdown continues.

Nus Ghani is standing for the Conservative Party in Wealden, East Sussex at this year's general election. You can follow her on Twitter @Nus_Ghani or go to www.nusghani.org.uk