Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
How Westminster Works...and Why It Doesn't
- Narrated by: Ian Dunt
- Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
How Westminster Works...and Why It Doesn't
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
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
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Listeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"In clear, reasonable tones Ian Dunt lays out why we should all be bloody furious at how badly British politics serves us. Parliament, parties, the media, the civil service and the law are all shatteringly exposed as rusted vehicles of inactivity, where long-term thinking is a dirty idea. How Westminster Works is both an articulate wail of lament and a rousing call to arms" (ARMANDO IANNUCCI)
"With typical incision, wit and flair, Ian Dunt masterfully deconstructs and skewers our corrosive political culture. An indispensable analysis of how we got into this mess" (THE SECRET BARRISTER)
"A devastating diagnosis of how Britain's political engine has broken down. Everyone in Westminster should read it"(OLIVER BULLOUGH)
What listeners say about How Westminster Works...and Why It Doesn't
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris Hammond
- 30-05-23
Eye-opening
Very clear, well-written and researched. This book has completely changed my perspective of UK politics!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 18-04-23
Brilliant
Interesting, educational, well written, well narrated and such a useful book. Brilliant book. Highly recommended.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- NICK DE SOUZA
- 24-07-23
Essential for A Level Politics teachers!
And everyone else interested in democracy. Dunt’s work is detailed yet accessible yet engaging, taking us through the various institutions of government. His critique of how Westminster works chimes very much with my own - absolute power corrupts absolutely. A really fascinating read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ízaro
- 25-04-23
Informative and well read
I enjoyed Ian’s book and his reading style. The subject matter is really brought to relevance and made clear and accessible by this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mike burton
- 21-12-23
Fascinating insight into our politics
Brilliant book - so interesting to understand how the political system actually functions, whilst also being absolutely terrifying!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Armstrongs
- 08-05-24
A must listen to understand the UK's political system.
Amazingly frustrating from the off. We need change! To improve how the UK is governed...
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr Curious
- 28-07-24
Broad and detailed overview of the political system
As this material isn’t taught in schools as part of standard curriculum it is a good broad insight of how the government machinery works.
The content on civil service, SPADs and issues with journalism were particularly insightful.
The unnamed chapters is irritating if you don’t also buy the book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Murray Leitch
- 11-06-23
Fantastic analysis, superbly structured. Politicians should listen.
This was a really enjoyable listen. The issues and ideas discussed here are both maddening and inspiring in equal measure. You can feel the way that if our governments incentives were modified the improvements that we could get to the way we are governed. Glad Ian read it himself.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- D. Cottam
- 17-04-23
The Diagnosis of our malaise
If you think politics and our arcane system of government is boring this will change your mind. Ian Dunt is eloquent, insightful, fair minded , brilliant and savage. I think this book deserves to be the defining text on the reasons we have become a bewildered & declining state. Never a dull paragraph. This is well read by the author at a blistering pace with all his customary passion but surprisingly, without the usual expletives!
A revelation!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Glanville Bentley
- 16-04-23
A must read/listen
Enjoyed the exploration of our political system it's deficiencies and what appears to be accidental strengths.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!