CON fights back against UKIP with what’s been a hugely effective voter mobilisation strategy in the US
This from the Tories look like a smart campaigning import from the US. The PM wants to talk to ME pic.twitter.com/EwzBsI03ta
— Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) April 28, 2014
Big data giving the personal touch
This morning Tory chairman, Grant Shapps, sent me the above email with an invitation to take part in a conference call with the Prime Minister tonight. Although the text doesn’t say it specifically there’s a suggestion that I could be in dialogue with Mr. Cameron.
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On the face of it this is quite appealing and my guess is that it will get a good response rate.
This form of campaigning is an import from the 2012 White House race. It was seen first in the Romney campaign for the GOP nomination and played a key part in those early states when it was so important for him to underline his front-runner status.
There the “Tele-Town Hall Meetings”, as they were called, structure was honed so that the the issues discussed were tailored specifically to the target voter. I don’t know whether the Cameron approach will be the same or whether there’ll be a common “discussion” for all who participate.
In a low turnout election like the Euros the Tories can really enhance their position by getting their more marginal voters to turnout and to bring back on board some of the CON>UKIP switchers. This is about voter mobilisation and it could help.
I remain of the view that the Tories will do better on May 22nd than in the current online polling.