
Making the Weather
Six Politicians Who Changed Modern Britain
Vernon Bogdanor(Author)
Haus Publishing
Published on 18. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-1-914979-33-0 (ISBN)
Description
Making the Weather is the story of six post-war politicians, all of whom exerted an outsized influence on the political life of the UK; an influence greater than that of most prime ministers. Vernon Bogdanor's cast includes three from the political Left - Aneurin 'Nye' Bevan, Roy Jenkins, and Tony Benn - and three from the political Right - Enoch Powell, Keith Joseph, and Nigel Farage. Each study is a fascinating analysis that examines how these men achieved such prominence and influence and how, though very different figures in many ways, they came to dominate the political landscape, often for a period of years.
Each of the six made fundamental contributions to the debate about Britain's future and to the vibrancy of our democracy. From immigration to Europe, from the NHS to devolution, the issues and causes that brought these men to prominence are still of considerable contemporary relevance.
Each of the six made fundamental contributions to the debate about Britain's future and to the vibrancy of our democracy. From immigration to Europe, from the NHS to devolution, the issues and causes that brought these men to prominence are still of considerable contemporary relevance.
Reviews / Votes
THE TELEGRAPH 'BEST POLITICS BOOKS OF 2024' THE DAILY MAIL 'BEST POLITICS BOOKS OF 2024' '[An] intelligent and thoughtful set of essays ... Bogdanor's book is revelatory.' -- Simon Heffer, Telegraph 'Written with cool objectivity ... [a] thought-provoking book.' -- Max Hastings, Sunday Times 'A series of elegant essays.' -- Chris Mullin, Spectator 'Bogdanor has written an incisive and absorbing account of these seminal British figures. He has added the color of the past to the monochrome of the present.' -- Colin Shindler, The Jerusalem PostMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 194 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
390 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-914979-33-0 (9781914979330)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
09/2024
Haus Publishing
€27.50
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Vernon Bogdanor is professor of government at the Institute of Contemporary British History, King's College London. He is a fellow of the British Academy, the Royal Historical Society and the Academy of Social Sciences. He has written a number of books on constitutional and political history, including Beyond Brexit and The Strange Survival of Liberal Britain.
Content
Introduction // 1
1. Aneurin Bevan and Democratic Socialism // 11
2. Enoch Powell and the Sovereignty of Parliament // 57
3. Roy Jenkins and Social Democracy // 123
4. Keith Joseph and the Market Economy // 169
5. Tony Benn and Participatory Democracy // 215
6. Nigel Farage and Brexit // 257
Conclusion // 297
Suggestions for Further Reading // 306
Acknowledgements // 311
Index // 312
1. Aneurin Bevan and Democratic Socialism // 11
2. Enoch Powell and the Sovereignty of Parliament // 57
3. Roy Jenkins and Social Democracy // 123
4. Keith Joseph and the Market Economy // 169
5. Tony Benn and Participatory Democracy // 215
6. Nigel Farage and Brexit // 257
Conclusion // 297
Suggestions for Further Reading // 306
Acknowledgements // 311
Index // 312