We've invited those in the election firing line to send regular bulletins about the personal side of campaigning. David McLetchie is a former leader of the Scottish Conservatives and is standing for re-election in Edinburgh Pentlands.Tuesday 22 March – Sunday 27 March Busy week after parliament dissolved, as the campaign begins at a pace. It always amazes me how quick out of the traps political parties are, but the vast majority of people won’t be in the zone until shortly before polling day. I’ve got a dual role because, in addition to seeking a third term as the MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, I am also the party’s national campaign manager. It means an earlier start to the day – the roosters can still be heard as I roll up to SCCO [Scottish Conservative Central Office] for the early morning meeting. Boundary changes in Pentlands mean I have new areas in my seat, so whilst I’ve been acquainting myself with them over the past year, only now can I properly campaign in them. It is going to be an interesting few weeks, for sure. Monday 28 March Out with Annabel [Goldie] this morning in Portobello to launch the election campaign. Several anti-cuts demonstrators had tracked her all the way from Barrhead and did their best to mar our campaign launch with posters and chants. Annabel coped admirably in a firm but good-natured way. I wonder if the protesters will be covering the Labour campaign? The Great Gordon got us into this mess in the first place, but to listen to Labour now you'd never believe they were in government for 13 years and maxed out the national credit card. After we were finished in the east, time for a trek across town and back to the constituency office in Colinton. Finalising campaign literature and our canvass schedule for the next five weeks. Thank goodness the weather's fair. There were some scorching weeks in 2007, so the same again would be welcome. Need to stock up on the factor 30 with my bald patch to protect.
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