How to Win a Marginal Seat (Paperback)

Gavin Barwell

ISBN 10: 1785900471 / ISBN 13: 9781785900471

Published by Biteback Publishing, London, 2016

About this Item

Paperback. During the 2015 general election, the contest in Gavin Barwell's constituency of Croydon Central was by any measure - the amount of money spent, the frequency of visits by ministers, the volume of literature delivered or the number of political activists pounding the streets - one of the most intensive constituency campaigns this country has ever seen. At the end of it, he had clung on by the skin of his teeth. The experience had been both physically and psychologically gruelling, and provided a story well worth telling.Journalists produce a huge amount of commentary on the leaders of our political parties, their campaign strategies and key messages. Elections, however, are won and lost on the pavements of only about 100 so-called marginal constituencies - places like Croydon Central.This book gives an unparalleled insight into what it's like to be an MP defending an ultra-marginal seat. It answers questions such as: why do activists knock on your door - do they really think a quick conversation is going to change your mind? Why do they stand outside polling stations wearing coloured rosettes?What is it like to find yourself splashed across the front page of a national newspaper? How do you cope with abuse on social media, or the pressure of knowing your job, and those of your staff, are on the line?This unique book is for anyone who is interested in what goes on at the coal face of politics. A new addition to Biteback Publishing's acclaimed How to Be series, this book is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how campaigning is conducted on the frontline of British politics. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781785900471

Bibliographic Details

• Title: How to Win a Marginal Seat (Paperback)
• Publisher: Biteback Publishing, London
• Publication Date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1785900471
• ISBN 13: 9781785900471
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

During the 2015 general election, the contest in Gavin Barwell's constituency of Croydon Central was by any measure - the amount of money spent, the frequency of visits by ministers, the volume of literature delivered or the number of political activists pounding the streets - one of the most intensive constituency campaigns this country has ever seen. At the end of it, after an experience both physically and psychologically gruelling, Gavin had clung on by the skin of his teeth, and had a story well worth telling.Journalists produce a great deal of commentary on the leaders of our political parties, their campaign strategies and key messages. Elections, however, are won and lost on the pavements of only about 100 so-called marginal constituencies - places like Croydon Central.This book gives an unparalleled insight into what it's like to be an MP defending an ultra-marginal seat. It answers questions such do activists knock on your door - do they really think a quick conversation is going to change your mindWhat is it like to find yourself splashed across the front page of a national newspaperHow do you cope with the very real possibility that you might be out of a job tomorrowHow to Win a Marginal Seat is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how campaigning is conducted at the coalface of British politics.

About the Author

Gavin Barwell has been the Conservative MP for Croydon Central since the 2010 general election.