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  • How Westminster Works...and Why It Doesn't

  • By: Ian Dunt
  • Narrated by: Ian Dunt
  • Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (10 ratings)

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How Westminster Works...and Why It Doesn't

By: Ian Dunt
Narrated by: Ian Dunt
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Publisher's 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.

©2023 Ian Dunt (P)2023 Orion Publishing Group Limited
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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

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The Master of British Politics

Wow Ians insight is brilliant the trouble is we the majority keep voting in the dumbest so we need him to keep us from going over the edge which is very close.......keep it up....

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Expertly written and narrated

Fabolous thought provoking read.
Ch 14 have me what I was shouting for …. Solutions if only they would be put in place !

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Engaging, depressing, but hopeful

UK politics in recent years has been thoroughly depressing and now I understand why - with a few small exceptions, Westminster is broken from the ground up.

A highly engaging listen of the structural failings of our political system.

While recounting the events of UK withdrawal from Afghanistan, Dunt lays bare some of the dysfunction that is rife in our elected leaders..

To be honest, some of this made me angry. Some of it is just sad. Thankfully there are some bright spots and Dunt does offer some solutions. We can change this situation - but will we? Will we reject culture wars and raise our voices to demand reforms? Perhaps, only if more people read “How Westminster Works… and Why It Doesn’t” by Ian Dunt.

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Erudite, articulate, two thumbs up

Excellent overview with erudite level insight, context and suggestions. A must-read to understand the political dysfunction.

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