As the general election approached, I knew it wasn’t enough to just watch politics from the sidelines. I wanted to see what political action really looks like on the ground. So, I started volunteering with Josh MacAlister MP and the local Labour team as they prepared for the campaign.

What began as a plan to observe quickly became something deeper — a chance to connect with the people of Whitehaven and Workington through one of democracy’s most powerful tools: a conversation on the doorstep.

What It’s Like on the Ground

Door-knocking isn’t just about collecting voter data. It’s about trust. It’s about turning up, listening without judgment, and hearing people’s honest feelings. Some are hopeful, some frustrated, some simply want to be heard. Being with Josh and the team, I saw how local campaigning is different from national politics. It’s less about slogans, more about empathy.

We talked about everything — housing, NHS waiting times, Sellafield’s future, opportunities for young people. Each doorstep revealed stories that matter, stories that don’t get told in the headlines. Those raw, unfiltered voices are what truly shape the campaign.

🤝 A Special Thanks

Huge thanks to Josh MacAlister and the Labour team for welcoming me in. Their trust and openness let me experience the real emotional weight and quiet strength of grassroots campaigning.

This isn’t just research. It’s real participation. And that’s exactly what this experience is about.