Election 10 Bulletin Part IV: Guide to Cross-Party Friendships etc..

Having a Lib Dem activist for a girlfriend and having several friends who are activists in other political parties I thought this might come in useful for some in similar situations for the next month.

1) Teasing is always fine, but always be aware and discerning about what time and place when it comes to jokes

2) Always stand your ground, but make sure that you not only consider and respect other views, but that you are open about where you agree and where your Party might be wrong on one or two issues

3) Election Night. Be sensitive, too much gloating and rubbing it in can easily happen on these nights if you are winning, and too much bitter and vindictive comments if you are losing. I have seen activists do this on election nights and that's just the opposition ;-). That said, try not to out of dignity and self respect and with those you care about, do make a point of treating how you'd like to be treated, which in my case would mean warm comments, drinks brought for me, and some listening. Bear in mind also though, that everyone is different and some would like to be left alone, but you can't go far wrong by "do as you would be done by!"

4) Headspace - Make sure you spend some time afterwards not talking politics. That varies from person to person. For example I am inviting some friends to a social at the National Gallery some days after the election and some of them are activists from the main parties, so some hinterland is always useful

5) If you have friends, or in a relationship with someone from another political party, or in my case both, this should not need to be said, but just a reminder. Always separate the party politics from the person

Incidentally if any of you have any extra suggestions, feel free :-)