This book did make me laugh out loud. And that’s quite an achievement because it attempts to satirise the awfulness of the current bunch of Tories in Westminster whose collective awfulness is almost beyond parody. Almost, but not actually as this author does a great job in exaggerating the behaviour and callousness and making it both shocking and funny at the same time.
The real-life behaviour of the likes of Boris Johnson, Owen Paterson, Neil Parish, Matt Hancock and Gavin Williamson, and so many more, are woven through a fictional tale of an MP who is on the make, has zero empathy with the electorate and treats his constituents, colleagues, friends and relatives with complete disdain. The Secret Tory is an Alan B’Stard MP for the modern day. As well as OPatz, Therese Coffey, Michael Gove and Liz Truss, all Defra Secretaries of State, feature in these pages. Therese Coffey will probably be particularly thrilled at her sensitive portrayal here.
The author, whoever he or she is (I’d guess it’s a he), has a grasp of some of the issues close to the heart of this blog. There is a wholly satirical account of grouse shooting and even a lord called Botham gets a short walk on part and exits after putting his foot in his mouth. How often does carbofuran get a mention in a book about the political world?
Satire is not supposed to be comfortable reading, and although this book is highly entertaining and made me laugh it does make one think too. It’s probably easier reading, and easier to laugh, if you are a left of centre reader but the book still makes one think about the state of politics and wonder why the British electorate has let this lot run the country. I look forward to the day when a Labour government at Westminster gets a similar treatment though that seems quite a while away. But there are many Conservative voters who might read this book and ponder where it all went wrong. Such an excoriating account would have been difficult to write even in the Cameron days, let alone the Major days.
But you don’t have to let the book make you think, if you just read it for laughs you will keep turning the pages for pleasure.
The cover? Clean and clear. I’d give it 8/10.
The Diary of a Secret Tory MP: private dodgy dispatches from the heart of Westminster by Anon is published by Harper Collins.
“…the book still makes one think about the state of politics and wonder why the British electorate has let this lot run the country”
What has happened here as well as what has occurred in other countries (US, Brazil, Hungary, Italy…etc) suggests that electorates are often not especially concerned with fact or rational argument but rather tend to be swayed by braggadocio, bluster and bullshit. Democracy may be the best system of government available but voters don’t half let it down at times.
Bread and Circuses?
A review that makes this left if centre green want to read the book – but there is a chance that the bias within the first part of the review might put some people off.
There is Centre in the UK that might need persuading, even if the awfulness of the last ten years ought to do that with ease.
On the other hand they might not be reading your “blasts”