Manifesto

So Edinburgh Labour launched our manifesto on Saturday. We decided not to do some big meeting in a hall somewhere. Instead we went back to where we should be; the streets. Using an open top bus we went to 9 places across the city to meet shoppers (and the odd rugby fan) and to hear face to face what folk felt about our manifesto and what we stand for. It was not an easy experience at times. In some places the reception was was not as good as others but that was to be expected. As I made my speech in each place I had both rude signs and warm handshakes, the words “never” and “always” said to my face and many conversations that were both warm and wary. However, if Saturday's 7 hours in 9 places is anything to go by, our support is stronger than some are suggesting. What was important was that we began our journey towards the election in the streets, amongst the people and not just those who are our likely supporters. It was a wee return to old fashioned street hustings based on human relationships not slick messages. Rougher but, if truth be told, a whole lot more satisfying