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Fourth to First: How to win a local election in under six months
This is a positive, optimistic description of a highly successful local election campaign in Norfolk, hopeful that such things are possible and can result in victory.
Fourth to First is a first-hand account of the campaign that elected first-time candidate Steffan Aquarone to Norfolk County Council in a division where the party came fourth in the previous election.
It tells the whole story from start to finish from the perspective of the candidate and his sister Freya, who managed the campaign. In doing so it showcases tried-and-tested Liberal Democrat campaign techniques in context as well as introducing several new, sometimes hare-brained ideas that helped achieve a majority of more than 400.
Seasoned campaigners will enjoy scenes they’ve seen for decades told through new eyes, whilst first-time candidates can draw comfort from the fact that with the right plan, and the right team, it is possible to win an election on the first attempt.
“If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that the party mantra ‘where we work we win' is both patronising and untrue. How we work is what wins elections, and is the biggest question facing the party in a decade. Steff and Freya's authentic, personal account goes a long way towards tackling that question from the ground."
Norman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk and Chair of the Parliamentary Science and Technology Committee
Fourth to First is a first-hand account of the campaign that elected first-time candidate Steffan Aquarone to Norfolk County Council in a division where the party came fourth in the previous election.
It tells the whole story from start to finish from the perspective of the candidate and his sister Freya, who managed the campaign. In doing so it showcases tried-and-tested Liberal Democrat campaign techniques in context as well as introducing several new, sometimes hare-brained ideas that helped achieve a majority of more than 400.
Seasoned campaigners will enjoy scenes they’ve seen for decades told through new eyes, whilst first-time candidates can draw comfort from the fact that with the right plan, and the right team, it is possible to win an election on the first attempt.
“If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that the party mantra ‘where we work we win' is both patronising and untrue. How we work is what wins elections, and is the biggest question facing the party in a decade. Steff and Freya's authentic, personal account goes a long way towards tackling that question from the ground."
Norman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk and Chair of the Parliamentary Science and Technology Committee
224 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 17, 2020
Personal and insightful but preaching a failed tactic
Steff and Freya provide a pretty thorough account of how they won a seat in Norfolk County Council in 2017. As I've fought in several local campaigns much of their content was familiar to me, and it was interesting to get an alternative perspective.
Where their analysis falls flat can be summed up by the fact that many hard working candidates do the exact same things that they do - but still lose. The book is a polemic to the Messiah culture of the political world which believes (1) they can save the world and (2) they are endowed with superhuman powers to do it.
While undoubtedly they needed to work hard to win, I didn't finish the book feeling that they'd sold me on a better and more intelligent way to do political campaigning. Fourth to first is definitely not a handbook for those starting from bedrock bottom - the Aquarones had the advantage of (1) dormant Lib Dem support waiting to be woken up, and (2) a popular and active local MP. Those looking to repeat their feat without one or both of these advantages may find their task significantly harder.
Steff and Freya provide a pretty thorough account of how they won a seat in Norfolk County Council in 2017. As I've fought in several local campaigns much of their content was familiar to me, and it was interesting to get an alternative perspective.
Where their analysis falls flat can be summed up by the fact that many hard working candidates do the exact same things that they do - but still lose. The book is a polemic to the Messiah culture of the political world which believes (1) they can save the world and (2) they are endowed with superhuman powers to do it.
While undoubtedly they needed to work hard to win, I didn't finish the book feeling that they'd sold me on a better and more intelligent way to do political campaigning. Fourth to first is definitely not a handbook for those starting from bedrock bottom - the Aquarones had the advantage of (1) dormant Lib Dem support waiting to be woken up, and (2) a popular and active local MP. Those looking to repeat their feat without one or both of these advantages may find their task significantly harder.
May 14, 2018
As a campaign manager myself, I was curious as to what this book would tell me.
Quite a lot actually. It covers all of the mechanics of running a campaign in a lot of detail for someone who is a total beginner, but also reminded me of a lot of the soft skills required to run a great campaign too. It also covers a lot of the absurd, funny, very unfunny, and strange moments that every campaign veteran will instinctively understand ad be able to smile at.
Anyone who is thnking of running for office - and winning - should definitely considering buying this book.
Quite a lot actually. It covers all of the mechanics of running a campaign in a lot of detail for someone who is a total beginner, but also reminded me of a lot of the soft skills required to run a great campaign too. It also covers a lot of the absurd, funny, very unfunny, and strange moments that every campaign veteran will instinctively understand ad be able to smile at.
Anyone who is thnking of running for office - and winning - should definitely considering buying this book.
April 22, 2019
Easy to understand and very informative of how local elections work
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews