How Westminster Works . . . and Why It Doesn't
-
-
4.7 • 31 Ratings
-
-
- £9.99
-
- £9.99
Publisher Description
THIS IS THE BOOK YOU NEED TO READ BEFORE YOU CAST YOUR VOTE ON 4 JULY.
Why do some prime ministers manage to get things done, while others miserably fail? What is a 'special adviser' and how did they take over British political life? And why is the House of Lords more functional than most people think?
Most of us have a sense that our political system doesn't seem to work, but struggle to articulate exactly why. And for good reason: our political and financial institutions are cloaked in secrecy, archaic terminology, ancient custom and impenetrable jargon. Now, expert political journalist Ian Dunt is lifting the lid on British politics to expose every aspect of the setup in a way that can be understood and challenged. From Downing Street to Whitehall, the Commons to the Lords, this book is an indispensable guide to our political system - and how we might begin to fix it.
Featuring an audio-exclusive interview with Dorian Lynskey
Customer Reviews
Absolutely vital book
I have long been a critic of the democratic and functional deficiencies of British politics- (to the point where those close to me quake no doubt when they encounter me yet again climbing on this particular hobby horse.)
Even so , I was shocked by Ian Dunt’s lucid, detailed, devastating and above sane analysis at quite how dysfunctional and, at times, lunatic our system is.
The prevailing and destructive culture of what Dunt memorably describes as the ‘professional amateur,’ who dominates in both politics and the civil service is forensically exposed.
I challenge anyone who supports the status quo to still do so after reading this book. We have an urgent need of far-reaching democratic, constitutional and organisational reform. We really have suffered too long.