RINGING on doorbells and knocking on doors has become part and parcel of daily life for Mick Haines over the past month.

The independent city council candidate has been calling on 100 houses a day, six days a week.

Mr Haines is standing for election in Marston for the fifth time, but he said a distrust and dislike of politicians in general had made election campaigning more difficult.

The Oxford Mail joined him as he knocked on doors in the ward yesterday, and although the 69-year-old retired scaffolder said he was yet to have a door properly slammed in his face, he said: “You can get a couple of aggressive ones. They say they’re fed up with politicians and they’re not voting.”

Mr Haines has been on the campaign trail for more than four weeks and has spent nearly £400 of his savings on leaflets and posters.

He has had leaflets eaten by dogs and even had to speak to one voter through a cat flap.

He said: “I put the leaflets through the door and then I go round and ask them what they think of it.

“It’s important to hear their opinions and show that you’re not afraid to meet them face-to-face.

“But a vote is a very personal thing. It’s rude to ask people if they will vote for me.”

Mr Haines was sporting the St George’s flag on a badge, his pen and two rings yesterday.

He said he wants what the people want, even if it means missing out on the support of a party.

He said: “Once you’re in a party you have to follow a party line. In other words, you can’t say what you want to say.”

He has lived in Marston for 27 years and calls his community the “forgotten area of the city”.

Ron Cooper, 79, of Nicholas Avenue, said he would be voting for community activist Mr Haines, who has previously campaigned against the erection of mobile phone masts near schools.

He said: “He’s the only chap who gets anything done for us.”

Adam Woodley, 29, Nicholas Avenue, said he would also vote for Mr Haines. He said: “Politicians are all as bad as each other. The only way to go is with an independent who knows the area.

“They’re out for themselves, rather than the people they represent.”

Postman Mick Eggbeer was delivering election leaflets. He said: “Most people just bin them. Let’s face it, you can’t trust any of them any more.”

Marston shop owner Anthony Baker told Mr Haines: “I don’t know why you do what you do.

“It’s a lot of hard work, you have to fund it yourself, and it gets no rewards.”

Mr Haines is competing against four other candidates, including Lord Mayor Mary Clarkson.

He said: “If I lose, I will still be out there fighting. I will never be a spent force.”

bwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk