Asda Mums have been been reflecting on what it was like to record the dramatic events of the past few weeks through their own online diaries.

Michelle said it was both “good fun and thought-provoking”.

She says: “I feel politicians would do well to read Asda Mums’ blogs. I feel that it is too easy for politicians and especially the party leaders to become divorced from the reality of the real world that Asda Mums live in.”

Maxine says: “It’s been a great few weeks as an Asda Mum – I’ve thoroughly enjoyed blogging. I’m certain that if I hadn’t had my diary I wouldn’t have watched any of the live debates and I wouldn’t have put so much thought into who I would vote for therefore in the end I felt comfortable that I’d made the right decision for me and my family.”

Elaine says that keeping her blog had made her realise “politics isn’t as complicated or scary as I used to think”.

For Kayla the experience has made her want to become more active politically – and she says: “I have enjoyed it so much that I now feel as though I am in mourning.”

And Channel writes in her blog: “What are us Asda Mums to do now this is over?! haha…”, adding that her boyfriend Simon is relieved it’s over as he’d felt a tad neglected over the past few weeks.

Michelle thinks it would be a great idea to do more Asda Mums blogs to “give mums the opportunity to discuss things like Fairtrade items, pricing, problems in stores, promotions and new products”. Given the success of the elections blogs, it’s definitely something we’re looking at right now.

Elaine finished her blog with a PS: “Should we start a World Cup blog to keep us busy? (Only joking – my team, Scotland, won’t even be there, aw)”

And a final message from Caroline to all the other Asda Mums: “It’s been great to sit on the blog page alongside you all. I have loved finding out about you, your life and how the election and its outcome impacts upon you personally. I wish you all a fabulous future life and you all have the most amazingly loud VOICES! Keep using them please, your country and the world needs you!!!”

Posted by Joanne on 14 May 2010, 09:12

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The election results are in – but with no party winning an overall majority our blogging Asda Mums are still gripped by the political drama that’s still unfolding.

Michelle says: “The election is still a cliffhanger! I’m still glued to the television to see what happens next!”

Michelle thinks a hung parliament is what most people wanted – “We actually want the MPs in parliament to work together.”

Sam agrees: “I just hope they manage to get together, put aside any differences and agree on a plan that is best for the country and its recovery.”

And Claire, who helped count the votes in her Chippenham constituency last night, says: “Come on, sort it out guys! I have a horrible feeling there will be another general election soon – what a hideous waste of our money!”

Elaine, though, says it would be wrong to rush the main players into making hasty agreements and unfulfillable promises – “Hasty decisions will benefit no one. So get on with making your decisions, but make them for the right reasons and don’t be forced to rush them.”

Channel heard the news when one of her girls woke her at 5.30am – “I was straight on my phone, clicked on the browser and there it was, the headline: BRITAIN HAS WOKEN UP TO A HUNG PARLIAMENT! So what happens now!? The political drama continues …”

Some of the mums were feeling disappointed that the much-predicted breakthrough of the Lib Dems failed to materialise – “What happened?” asks Helen. She says: “Not surprised that Nick Clegg is thinking of jumping into bed with David Cameron but I think he will lose even more supporters by doing this.”

The mums say that by keeping and sharing online diaries throughout the election campaign they have become much more engaged and switched on to political debate.

Sam says: “Don’t know whether it’s because I’m a parent now, but I’ve taken more of an interest in this election than ever before, which I’ve really enjoyed. I’ve experienced a whole spectrum of emotions in doing so, but overall it’s got me thinking. I think one day I would like to take a more active part in politics.”

And Kayla writes: “I would like to thank Asda Mums for giving me this opportunity as it has really made me think hard about my views and the issues our country faces. Perhaps we will be doing this again soon …”

Posted by Kev on 07 May 2010, 16:30

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The election’s over – and Asda Mums are mulling over the results as they come in. Check out what our blogging mums are saying in their diaries.

If the election was decided by cupcake sales the result might have been slightly different! Over the last three weeks we’ve been selling red, blue, yellow and green-topped cupcakes in 50 Asda stores in key marginal constituencies.

The results: 32% of customers bought yellow Lib Dem cupcakes, 27% Tory blue, 24% Labour red, and 16% Green.

So why the difference with the actual election results? Our Asda Mum blogger Michelle might have the answer: “I bought all four types of the Asda election cupcakes and I’ve got to say that the Yellow Cupcakes were the tastiest of the bunch!!”

Here’s some of the things our Asda mum bloggers have been saying:

more Posted by Kev on 07 May 2010, 07:03

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Our final election survey of 500 Asda Mums found another increase in the number saying they would definitely vote when the country goes to the polls.

We’ve been tracking mums’ views on a range of issues every week – in the latest survey 56% of mums said they are “absolutely certain” to vote, compared with just 39% back in March. Another 20% say they are almost certain or very likely to vote. Just 6% say they definitely will not vote.

Asked “Which party’s policies on reducing the public debt are most likely to have a negative effect on your family’s overall standard of living?” 34% said the Tories, 20% Labour and 6% the Liberal Democrats. The cost of living was far and away the top political issue among the Asda Mums.

Posted by Kev on 05 May 2010, 14:53

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Shona Robison of the Scottish National Party joined Asda Mums online for the last of our live election Q&As – and said she liked the format so much she’s considering using it as a new way to interact with her constituents in Dundee.

Shona, who is Minister for Public Health in the Scottish Government, said being in government is all about making decisions about what you think is important – and that’s why her party in government in Scotland had prioritised finding the resources to fund things like free personal care and abolishing university tuition fees.

Asked what the SNP would be demanding if it held the balance of power after the election, Shona said: “The priority for the SNP is the protection of vital public services in Scotland such as health and education. Any cuts should fall on the things we don’t need such as Trident and ID cards.”

Issues in the hour-long session included child tax credits (the SNP won’t support any cuts), immigration (the SNP supports a points-based system), renewable energy (Shona said Scotland has 25% of Europe’s renewable energy potential), and Bigotgate (where Shona’s sympathies lie with Mrs Duffy, not fellow Scot Gordon Brown.

Here’s the full transcript of the session:

more Posted by Kev on 05 May 2010, 08:48

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