Why We Get the Wrong Politicians (Paperback)
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Why We Get the Wrong Politicians (Paperback)

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£10.99
Paperback 384 Pages
Published: 01/09/2022
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Waterstones Says

With consummate skill and a wry sense of humour, the respected current affairs journalist delivers a riveting dissection of our political culture and the workings of Westminster, as well as making a few insightful suggestions as to how the system could be improved. 

Revised and updated to include the explosive events of 2021 and 2022.

[This book] is about how we get the wrong political cultures, which lead to us having and unrepresentative, often unprepared and frequently unhappy bunch of politicians who end up passing bad laws causing personal disasters on small or catastrophic scales to people who then flood their constituency surgeries in crisis.

Politicians are consistently voted the least trusted professional group by the UK public. They've recently become embroiled in scandals concerning sexual harassment and expenses. 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.

In this searching examination of our political class, award-winning journalist Isabel Hardman tries to square this circle. She lifts the lid on the strange world of Westminster and asks why we end up with representatives with whom we are so unhappy.

Filled with forensic analysis and revealing reportage, Isabel Hardman’s impressive and insightful first book takes a long, balanced look at those in office and those who lost out, questioning our very system of government and the divisions and cynicism it so readily appears to foster. Objective and surprising, Hardman presents a very readable and important insight into the mechanics of Whitehall. A landmark study, Why We Get the Wrong Politicians is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the landscape of contemporary politics and see a future with better government.

Publisher: Atlantic Books
ISBN: 9781838958473
Number of pages: 384
Weight: 330 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 27 mm
Edition: Main


MEDIA REVIEWS

'Hardman's well-written, incisive book provides a good compass with which to navigate this changing landscape' - The Times

'A must-read for anyone who wants to change the way they think about politicians and how they vote.' - The Evening Standard

'A really good book... Well-structured and well-written.' - The Observer

'It's easy to moan that Westminster doesn't work and a lot harder to explain why. To understand, this is the book you need to read.' - Laura Kuenssberg

'An entertaining read that addresses hard questions... invaluable for those who think they know what's wrong with Westminster but have no idea how to put it right.' - John Humphrys

'Hardman's diagnosis of the malaise in the body politic is compelling and entertaining' - Robert Peston

'A fast-paced, intelligent dissection of modern politics, packed full of juicy anecdotes and insider knowledge. What Isabel Hardman doesn't know about parliament isn't worth knowing.' - Helen Lewis - New Statesman 

'The untold, candid account of our MPs. Isabel Hardman has been able to pierce our protective armour because we trust and respect her. And she's analysed what she found with a fierce intellect.' - Harriet Harman

'This thoroughly readable and well-researched book explains why parliamentary powers won't ever be used properly until parties change how they choose their candidates.' - Lord Peter Mandelson

'With humour and humanity, Isabel Hardman lifts the lid on the Houses of Parliament and shows with compelling authority how the structure and culture of our political system so often delivers the worst kind of results. This book has the power to fundamentally change how we do things in this country.' - Emily Maitlis

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Terence, Bookseller Newry

“Why Westminster Doesn't Work”

Isabel Hardman has written the most concise and precise analysis of how Westminster works (or doesn't) and should be given to every potential candidate or newly appointed MP on entering parliament. The fact that... More

Hardback edition
3 similar books recommended
Helpful? Upvote 160

“Why We Get The Wrong Politicians by Isabel Hardman”

For anyone wanting to understand a bit more about Parliament and how things work out the way they do, this book is ideal for the purpose. It is not a weighty tome full of dusty explanations but offers an insight that... More

Hardback edition
Helpful? Upvote 62

“An insightful exposé of life in Parliament”

Isabel Hardman looks at good and bad examples from across the political spectrum to provid5e a remarkably unbiased description of life for politicians and those who come into contact with them. Her chapters clearly... More

Hardback edition
Helpful? Upvote 58

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