Glenrothes

After lunch, I have the afternoon off work to head up to Glenrothes for polling day.

I'm a little wary, as I sprained my ankle while canvassing there on Sunday. I couldn't walk on Monday, and had to stay at home with my feet up. That seemed to do the trick, because it is feeling much better now. Goodness knows what pain I might be in later though!

I'm not exactly a robust character. Exercise always seems to bring an injury of some variety. I can't stand the cold either. I have Raynaud's, which is a circulation problem. So, in the winter my hands and feet get VERY cold and it is often quite painful. My GP's advice a few years ago was not to go out during winter if I could help it, and if I did venture out, then I'd better get some ski gloves. Not good news for a political activist like myself! If I confined myself to campaigning in the warmer months, then I'd hardly be out. I did buy ski gloves (or more accurately, I think my mum bought them for me), but they are too bulky for canvassing and leafleting - my hands get stuck in the letterboxes!

Anyway, enough of this self-pity. We have a by-election to win!

It always evokes a wry smile from me on the doorsteps when people say that party activists are in politics for themselves. Believe me, the hundreds of SNP activists that are in Glenrothes today would be much better off staying at work (and not losing precious annual leave) or at home with a nice cup of tea. Then there are the train and bus fares, or petrol, to get there. But if you believe in something, and you want to make a difference, then you can't help but get involved and work towards that.

Today, the world does feel a slightly different (and better) place because of what has happened in the US. The world has become an increasingly cynical place over the last decade, and I think it is about time that we looked at things afresh and at our potential, as individuals, communities, countries and global citizens to really change things.

I do think that this mood may impact on the decision of people in Glenrothes on whether or not to cast their vote today, and on who they decide to cast it for.

We will have to wait a little longer to find out though, and I've got a train to catch.