Ten Years On
The Untold Story of Brexit - Reflections on a Life of Campaigning
Will be published approx. on 23. June 2026
Book
Hardback
432 pages
978-1-83736-075-8 (ISBN)
Description
"The key missing piece in the Brexit story" Tim Shipman, The
Spectator | "A wonderful read from one of the most quietly
influential people in politics in recent decades." Chris Mason, BBC
The 2016 Brexit
referendum caused a political earthquake, with aftershocks that are still being
felt a decade later. For many, including some who voted to leave, the result
came as a surprise. But for one man, it was not. The outcome that stunned so
many was something he had been working to achieve for twenty years.
You may not have heard
of Matthew Elliott, but you should have. He is one of Britain's most successful
campaigners, a reserved and thoughtful strategist who has single-handedly shaped
our political landscape. In 2011, he staved off an attempt to change our voting
system through the successful NOtoAV campaign. Then, five years later, he
steered Vote Leave to victory as its chief executive.
This extraordinary
memoir spans the period from the build-up to Brexit during the 1990s to the
present day, providing a fresh perspective on what really went on during the
campaign, how the result was won and its bitter aftermath. With his customary candour
and wit, Matthew reveals what it's like working side-by-side with Boris Johnson
and Dominic Cummings, their dealings with Nigel Farage and the tricks of the
trade that campaigners use to shape the news.
Here, ten years on
from the EU referendum, is the definitive story of Brexit, as told by the man
who had a front-row seat to the most extraordinary political campaign of the modern
era.
Spectator | "A wonderful read from one of the most quietly
influential people in politics in recent decades." Chris Mason, BBC
The 2016 Brexit
referendum caused a political earthquake, with aftershocks that are still being
felt a decade later. For many, including some who voted to leave, the result
came as a surprise. But for one man, it was not. The outcome that stunned so
many was something he had been working to achieve for twenty years.
You may not have heard
of Matthew Elliott, but you should have. He is one of Britain's most successful
campaigners, a reserved and thoughtful strategist who has single-handedly shaped
our political landscape. In 2011, he staved off an attempt to change our voting
system through the successful NOtoAV campaign. Then, five years later, he
steered Vote Leave to victory as its chief executive.
This extraordinary
memoir spans the period from the build-up to Brexit during the 1990s to the
present day, providing a fresh perspective on what really went on during the
campaign, how the result was won and its bitter aftermath. With his customary candour
and wit, Matthew reveals what it's like working side-by-side with Boris Johnson
and Dominic Cummings, their dealings with Nigel Farage and the tricks of the
trade that campaigners use to shape the news.
Here, ten years on
from the EU referendum, is the definitive story of Brexit, as told by the man
who had a front-row seat to the most extraordinary political campaign of the modern
era.
Reviews / Votes
"Matthew Elliott's newbook is the key missing piece in the Brexit story. While others were taking
credit for the Leave victory, Elliott quietly got on with the business of
making it happen. From one of the key figures in the Eurosceptic movement, Ten
Years On is not just an important insider account of what happened, it is
also a thoughtful treatise on what might be done to make the most of it." - Tim Shipman, political
editor, The Spectator, and author of All Out War
"This is a wonderful
read from one of the most quietly influential people in politics in recent
decades. Matthew's authentic voice rings out from every page: his deep
convictions, mildly expressed; his modest pride in his successes; his humble
acknowledgement of mistakes. It's a thoroughly enjoyable read and highly
recommended." - Chris Mason, political
editor, BBC
"Matthew Elliott gives
a unique insider's view into a historic turning point for Britain and explains
eloquently why (ten years on) he is one of a dwindling number who still think
Brexit is 'a good thing'." - George Parker,
political editor, Financial Times
"A riveting and fluent
blow-by-blow account of how the insurgents at Vote Leave crushed the
establishment to deliver the most seismic upset in modern polling history. If
only Vote Leave had been put in charge of delivering Brexit, not just the
referendum. Brexiteers everywhere owe Matthew Elliott." - Andrew Pierce,
columnist and consultant editor, Daily Mail
"Matthew Elliott was
at the very heart of the battle for Brexit, and this is a brilliantly engaging
and passionate account of the trials, tribulations and big personalities behind
the scenes of that campaign." - Julia Hartley-Brewer,
presenter, Talk
"Matthew Elliott has
delivered a fascinating memoir covering a turbulent period in British politics,
including the time when he had a ringside seat running the winning Vote Leave
campaign in the 2016 Brexit vote. His account is honest, funny and personal,
and it will be relied on for years by historians." - Christopher Hope,
political editor, GB News
"Matthew Elliott is
uniquely positioned to tell the story of Brexit - he was a private in Brussels,
a major in the fight to expose EU waste and a general of the referendum. Now,
as a veteran in the House of Lords, he has a front-row seat to the big decisions
facing the country. Ten Years On is a compelling account of how we got
here and offers a clear-eyed perspective on what happens next." - Michael Dobbs, author
of House of Cards
"Providing matchless
insight into the movement that transformed Britain, this is the inside story of
Brexit as you've never read it before. Matthew was there for every key moment,
and he has written a passionate, thoughtful and at times moving must-read account." - Sebastian Payne,
columnist and leader writer, The Times
"What makes Elliott
arguably the most successful political strategist of our time is the clarity of
his thoughts and the razor-sharp focus with which he pursues his goal. With
that same rare clarity, his book provides an invaluable insight into how a successful
campaign is built from the ground up, against all odds, steering clear of
distractions both from within and outside his own camp. The story of Britain
leaving the EU has been told from almost every perspective, but this time we
hear it from the man who delivered the winning campaign himself. This is
essential reading, not just for those who are interested in Brexit or
post-Brexit Britain but for anyone who wants to understand how to inspire and
influence large swathes of a population." - Dia Chakravarty,
Brexit editor, Daily Telegraph
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
16pp colour plates
ISBN-13
978-1-83736-075-8 (9781837360758)
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
E-Book
approx. 06/2026
Biteback Publishing
€17.99
Not yet available
Person
Matthew Elliott is
among the UK's foremost public policy thinkers. Described as 'one of the most
formidable political strategists in Westminster' (Financial Times) and
'one of the most successful - and feared - campaigners in British politics' (New
Statesman), he has set up numerous policy campaigns, including the
TaxPayers' Alliance in 2003, and has overseen two successful national
referendum campaigns: NOtoAV in 2011 and Vote Leave in 2016. Matthew is
currently the co-founder and president of the Jobs Foundation and a member of
the House of Lords, where he sits as Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell. His most recent
book is Prosperity Through Growth, co-authored with Dr Arthur B. Laffer,
Michael Hintze and Douglas McWilliams.
among the UK's foremost public policy thinkers. Described as 'one of the most
formidable political strategists in Westminster' (Financial Times) and
'one of the most successful - and feared - campaigners in British politics' (New
Statesman), he has set up numerous policy campaigns, including the
TaxPayers' Alliance in 2003, and has overseen two successful national
referendum campaigns: NOtoAV in 2011 and Vote Leave in 2016. Matthew is
currently the co-founder and president of the Jobs Foundation and a member of
the House of Lords, where he sits as Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell. His most recent
book is Prosperity Through Growth, co-authored with Dr Arthur B. Laffer,
Michael Hintze and Douglas McWilliams.