The Caledonian Mercury has invited some of those in the election firing-line to send regular bulletins about the personal side of campaigning. Ken O'Neill is standing as an independent candidate in the Lothian electoral region.Monday 18 April Week three starts in Ratho. After a 40-minute bus ride I'm in the beautiful Lothian countryside. The path along the Union Canal is a great example of nature on our doorstep. On my way home I get talking to two teenage girls, who think that Holyrood doesn't affect them but then complain about buses, housing and crime. These are all devolved policy areas and MSPs make decisions on them. Hopefully the girls knew a little more about Scottish parliamentary affairs when they arrived at the stop. Our chat shows how important it is to get political education on the curriculum. The Campaign For Political Education certainly deserves our attention – empowering young people to get involved in politics.
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In the evening I attend a meeting about the Royal Bank of Scotland’s involvement in the tar sands extraction in northern Alberta. Both the extraction and the accompanying pipeline will damage the land and be a threat to the people who live there. I doubt that the public, who own the majority of the bank, would want to see UK tax money spent on destroying a living environment solely for profit. Tuesday 19 April I gave the website a wee refresh and added a gallery. I don’t particularly like the way I look in the photos but everybody else does. Obviously the campaign hasn't turned me into a megalomaniac. Yet. Before hitting the street I publish a new campaign post on energy from waste, suggesting the creation of a biowaste plant instead of the proposed biomass plant in Leith. Anaerobic digestion is cleaner, more efficient and less harmful to the environment. Afterwards, I campaign in and around the South Side, discussing with people in the street what they think are the most important issues. I'm still receiving positive feedback, which is good to hear. In the evening I attend a meeting about saving Cairntows Park from destruction. The room is packed with around 100 people present. I'm sure this is the first step to have this ridiculous planning application abandoned for good. I recommend everyone to sign the petition and help preserve this important green space. Wednesday 20 April A busy day on the campaign trail begins with my first visit to Midlothian, starting off in Rosewell before visting Bonnyrigg. I know that there is so much more of the region to visit over the next two weeks. Afterwards, I head off to the city centre, enjoying a seat and rest on the bus. I help the Yes to AV campaign handing out leaflets and talking to people why they should vote yes. Did you know that the Jackson 5 support the Alternative Vote? Why? Because it's as easy as 1 2 3, as simple as do-re-mi! I’m pleased to see that the Guardian reports on the Craigmillar campaigners’ demand for talks over the park, which is at the heart of the community, quoting me in the article. Thursday 21 April After a morning leafleting near my home, I head back out to Craigmillar for my second hustings event. A pleasing turnout given the fine weather, and the panel faced some interesting questions. During the event I sit next to Kenny MacAskill and hold my own. I hope to attend more events before polling day but am encountering some reluctance from organisers to include me. I'm not sure why, but I will carry on doing my best to get my message out to the Lothian voters. Friday 22 April My plan of a quick bout on the campaign trail dissolves when I end up spending five hours in my old stamping ground around Clerk Street and Nicolson Street. I have a grand chat with a man on Clerk Street who recognises me from my flyer. He says I had his support and he welcomed having an independent candidate to vote for. In the evening, I set out my proposal to introduce a local currency to the Lothians. The Lothian Lolly could energise the Lothian economy by encouraging more people to use their local, independent shops. The community gains the benefit of the trade with less money leaving it, and it gives people the opportunity to show commitment to each other while it also helps to limit the damage to the environment through our shopping habits. Once the campaign is over I am going to need at least one good massage session, if only to let my back recover from carrying a bag with hundreds of flyers in it everyday of the week. Thankfully a friend of mine, Alex Highet, is a qualified masseur and works in the Massage Corner at the Snip and Sip. Saturday 23 April After campaigning Broughton, Leith Walk and Easter Road in the morning, I head over to Holyrood to join the March to Enlightenment, celebrating the 300th anniversary of David Hume's birth and part of Think for Yourself Day – which, not only according to the author Christopher Brookmyre, should be every day. To close the day, I publish what the Lothian Lolly could look like. Luckily I have some talented and giving friends. One of them was kind enough to offer drafting what the notes could look like. I think she has done a wonderful job. The idea really seems to have caught people’s imagination and I’ve even had a response from Colorado, which was very surprising. Sunday 24 April At last, a day off from from being on my feet. Time to set up an Easter egg hunt and write clues for my bairns. They love chasing round my flat and garden, hunting for their goodies. To finish off the day I publish a general post, in which I explain how I can't live without music. The post features some of my favourite artists. Then bed and time to prepare for the last full week of campaigning.Want to discuss other issues? Join the debate on our new Scottish Voices forum
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