4 Books That Offer Some Political Perspective
The ever changing landscape of our goverment can be tricky for most to keep up with, these books help break down the walls and put into perspective the goverment and the shape of UK politics past and present.
The Prime Ministers by Steve Richards
At a time of unprecedented political upheaval, this magisterial history explains who leads us and why.
From Harold Wilson to Boris Johnson, it brilliantly brings to life all 10 inhabitants of 10 Downing Street over the past fifty years, vividly outlining their successes and failures - and what made each of them special.
A landmark history of the men and women who have defined the UK's role in the modern world - and what makes them special - by a seasoned political journalist.
Why We Get the Wrong Politicians by Isabel Hardman
Politicians are consistently voted the least trusted professional group by the UK public. They've recently become embroiled in scandals relating to everything from expenses to sexual harassment to illicit parties. Every year, they introduce new legislation that doesn't do what it sets out to achieve - often with terrible financial and human costs. But, with some notable exceptions, they are decent, hard-working people, doing a hugely difficult and demanding job.
Isabel Hardman lifts the lid on the strange world of Westminster and asks why we end up with representatives with whom we are so unhappy.
The Good State: On the Principles of Democracy by A. C. Grayling
The foundations upon which our democracies stand are inherently flawed, vulnerable to corrosion from within. What is the remedy?
A. C. Grayling makes the case for a clear, consistent, principled and written constitution, and sets out the reforms necessary - among them addressing the imbalance of power between government and Parliament, imposing fixed terms for MPs, introducing proportional representation and lowering the voting age to 16 (the age at which you can marry, gamble, join the army and must pay taxes if you work) - to ensure the intentions of such a constitution could not be subverted or ignored.
As democracies around the world show signs of decay, the issue of what makes a good state, one that is democratic in the fullest sense of the word, could not be more important.
Broken Heartlands: A Journey Through Labour's Lost England by Sebastian Payne
Historically, the red wall formed the backbone of Labour's vote in the Midlands and the North of England but, during the 2019 general election, it dramatically turned Conservative for the first time in living memory, redrawing the electoral map in the process.
Originally from the North East himself, Payne sets out to uncover the real story behind the red wall and what turned these seats blue.
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