Funny, I never got a phone call and I am Telephone Preference Service, the toothless watchdog. I did get a personalised letter, which was better than absolutely nothing from all the other parties, and the only time I have been canvassed was by a group of young Tories in the 1970s, and we did get a political debate going in the street about 10 years ago. It was a middle aged socialist training a young woman from the London School of Economics (like Mick Jagger).. My rule is to vote for a “rate payer’s” candidate if there is one, failing that the one that will come second. Because I don’t want the councillor to think they have a job for life. Recently I have been voting for the spoiled ballot party, as Thurrock is ruled by “receivers and managers” imposed from central government and imported from Chelmsford.
(Where are the statistics of spoiled ballots and percentage turnouts for Thurrock wards.

You'd have to say they blitzed Thurrock for these elections, with multiple visits, mailshots & phone calls (annoyingly in my case as although I told them I was TPS registered & didn't want them ringing me again they just kept ringing). I don't know if there's limits on spending for these elections but they must have spent a fortune on stamps alone.