Is political canvassing cold-calling?

Just put up a notice to say "No Canvassers, Religious callers" and anybody else you don't want to disturb you.

I remember when I was a child, Jehovah Witnesses arrived at the door on a Sunday Morning. They asked my mother why she was not at church, she told them to "hold on a moment" got her coat and said 'my daughter's ill, will you look after her while I go to church?' They fled!!

I have lived in my house for 55 years, and have never, ever, had a political campaigner knock on my door. Maybe because I live right on the edge of our small town.
I would welcome one of any party to a doorstep debate, as long as they stood the required distance from me - masked, or unmasked.

I put a sign up by our door no canvassers tree surgeons religious groups or charity bags

If only a tree surgeon would knock on my door - they’re so difficult to book!

Call me a sad person but, I don’t mind callers generally as long as they’re outside and not close to the door. I chat with the religious ones, don’t buy anything from sellers, keep unsolicited charity bags for recycling, and enjoy engaging with political canvassers.

It doesn’t hurt to be kind, not gullible tho.

I too am in a no cold-calling area---leaflets are just put through the letter-box. Years ago Angela Eagle would do her rounds and I remember having a chat and discussion with her as she was a nice person. No doubt if I saw her she'd still stop for a chat even though she's now a Dame, it wouldn't make any difference to her.

We have the sign saying no cold callers. A religious group come to our area about twice a year. They rang our bell and I pointed out the sign. The spokesman said it didn't apply to religious groups! I was not happy.

I agree with you PippaZ JW and political are "selling"
in any event they are a pain

and easybee, since when have politicians REALLY taken note of what the electorate think?

So long as the objectors don't later claim that 'no one ever came near me'. ?
The smaller parties don't have wealthy donors and can't afford much in the way of leaflets, but surely we want to encourage more diverse views and hard-working candidates into local politics so some of the attitudes on here seem a bit odd to me.

Do you really want someone who is selectively illiterate, to represent you?

I'm with GrannyRose15, having experience of canvassing in previous elections. Not everybody wants a 2 party system, and smaller parties and Independents don't have the money for big campaigns, so the only way to find out, what people really want, ist to talk to them.

I'm not sure how local political candidates could work without calling at houses. I welcome engaging in a debate about local issues.

My understanding is that political canvassers are not allowed to knock or engage in conversation only post leaflets through doors

Guidance for this upcoming election states that all official political canvassers should be wearing masks if they are knocking on your door. They don't need them on if they are only putting leaflets through the letterbox. Whenever they are talking to electors in the street they should put on a mask.

maddyone. I always put a mask on before opening the door to a caller, and keep back. you don't know if the caller would be careful so I protect myself.
cold callers leave swiftly.

PippaZ I was referring the official definition of cold calling, which is quite clear that it is selling involving money and can be an offence of it breaches the Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

i don't open the door, even before covid.
i may shout from an upper window, to go away.

Fair enough AcornFairy. Its just me, I’ve never bothered to mask up to open the door, but in fairness I do step back.

This is a difficult one. When canvassing I would always err on the side of thinking I was welcome, inspite of notices about call callers etc. This is because I believe everyone has the right to make an informed decision about who is elected to represent them. If I was asked to leave, of course, I would do so - and everyone has the right to not open the door or put the leaflets in the bin.

M0nica

'cold calling' means someone visiting without appointment with the intention of selling you something - double glazing or whatever.

Someone, like a political canvasser, Jehovah's Witness, or someon knocking on you your door to say the house is on fire ar not cold callers.

I accept the person telling you your house is on fire is just being a good neighbour but the Jehovah's witnesses and political door knockers are definitely cold callers - they are selling their beliefs. You are totally entitled not to want to hear their spiel!

We live in a no cold calling zone. We have been told all this means is that callers must leave if asked to do so!

Thank you for your responses.

Interesting to read your take on this Eazybee. It brought back memories of my days knocking on doors and trying to assess who was telling porkies, really just wanting a lift to the polling station!

I’d rather be safe than sorry maddyone. I’m still supposed to be shielding until Thursday so don’t want to fall at the final fence!

If a political canvasser calls at your house it is your chance to give him your opinions about local and national politics, identify issues important to you and your family and question the aims of that particular party. This information is collected, collated and fed back to the respective parties and may possibly influence future policies.

I wouldn’t bother to put a mask on to open the door.

I put a sign up by our door no canvassers tree surgeons religious groups or charity bags. The only people who ring our house phone are cold callers they go straight to the answer machine.