The influence of American politics

Editor's note: Erick Harris, a graduate of Central High School in Cape Girardeau, is spending a semester in London for an internship in Parliament and is writing about his experiences.

By Erick Harris

Last summer, I was heavily embroiled in grassroots campaigning for Eugne "Pete" Frazier III in his valiant endeavor to become state representative. Before that election, I had helped out on various national and local campaigns by stuffing envelopes and making telephone calls throughout various constituencies. These experiences over the years have taught me much about grassroots political campaigning in the United States, For one thing, it taught me a valuable lesson: All politics is local.

Last week, I got the opportunity to spend a few days away from Westminster to do some grassroots campaigning in a suburb of Manchester. Keeping in mind what I learned from the American campaigning process, I prepared to use my knowledge here. However, it turns out that the United Kingdom's political campaigning process is much different, but it is becoming more Americanized in an effort to garner more support for prospective candidates in new ways.

I have noticed that politics is not very local in the United Kingdom. Most prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) were placed in a random area by their respective party's central office. Prior election attempts, the outcomes of previous elections, current offices held or national popularity determines how safe an area a PPC receives from Central Office. If the PPC wins, then that member of Parliament elect moves to that district. During my stay in Warrington, I got the opportunity to canvass some neighborhoods. This process was much different than what I have experienced in the United States. Instead of knocking on each door individually and talking to the resident, I was instructed to just tuck pamphlets inside mailboxes. This process felt impersonal to me, and I suggested implementing a method in which the volunteer knocks on doors and speaks to the resident.

Though there are many aspects of the campaigning process that are different than in the United States, America is influencing the British process. For instance, the Conservative PPC from South Warrington is a local who has lived and worked in Warrington for nearly two decades.

One afternoon I helped to set up an American-style rally. The event was held in an effort to raise public awareness of problems plaguing the community and South Warrington's PPC's ideas to rectify them. It was also a chance for Iain Duncan Smith to publicly support the candidate.

In discussions regarding the future of the campaign, I was often asked to weigh in. I realized that the UK may not be prepared to throw itself into the American style of grassroots campaigning. Nevertheless, I charged them to never forget that all politics is local.

Since local elections are already slated for May 5, it has been widely publicized that Prime Minister Tony Blair will choose that date for the national elections. Some believe that Blair will dissolve Parliament on April 7 as a lead-in to Prince Charles and Camilla's wedding celebration. This would allow about a month for official campaigning. Sadly, my flight back to Chicago is May 4, but on the night of May 5 I will be watching closely to see if the people I have had the pleasure to campaign for won their respective elections.

Erick Harris attends Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.