Politics
Between the Extremes
Published on 15. September 2016
304 pages
978-1-4735-4573-1 (ISBN)
Description
'Beautifully written' Rory Stewart 'Compelling' Ian McEwan 'Engrossing' Alan Johnson 'Essential' Robert Peston
*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*
Politics has changed. For decades Britain was divided between Left and Right but united in its belief in a two-party state. Now, with nationalism resurgent and mainstream parties in turmoil, stark new divisions define the country and the centre ground is deserted.
Nick Clegg witnessed this change from the inside. Here he offers a frank account of his experiences and puts the case for a new politics based on reason and compromise.
He writes candidly about the tense stand-offs within government and the decision to enter coalition with the Conservatives in the first place. He also lifts the lid on the arcane worlds of Westminster and Brussels, the vested interests that suffocate reform, as well as the achievements his party made despite them.
Whatever your political persuasion, if you wish to understand politics in Britain today you cannot afford to ignore this book.
*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*
Politics has changed. For decades Britain was divided between Left and Right but united in its belief in a two-party state. Now, with nationalism resurgent and mainstream parties in turmoil, stark new divisions define the country and the centre ground is deserted.
Nick Clegg witnessed this change from the inside. Here he offers a frank account of his experiences and puts the case for a new politics based on reason and compromise.
He writes candidly about the tense stand-offs within government and the decision to enter coalition with the Conservatives in the first place. He also lifts the lid on the arcane worlds of Westminster and Brussels, the vested interests that suffocate reform, as well as the achievements his party made despite them.
Whatever your political persuasion, if you wish to understand politics in Britain today you cannot afford to ignore this book.
Reviews / Votes
A compelling account from the inside of the strange, sad death of liberal Britain. This is a passionate plea for the centre ground, which has never seemed so remote (or precious) in our current political dispensation -- Ian McEwan This engrossing account is written with a warmth and generosity that can't have been easy to sustain given the trials and tribulations he recounts so entertainingly -- Alan Johnson Essential reading for anyone fearful of the rise of populist extremism or who thinks coalitions are the future of British politics -- Robert Peston This is an important book: a revealing analysis of British politics today and why it urgently needs reform -- Shirley Williams People of all political persuasions owe Nick Clegg a debt that I have no doubt history will acknowledge -- John Major It's impossible not to warm to Clegg on the basis of this book. He's human and humane, honest about his faults but insistent that liberalism still has everything to offer in a fractured culture * Evening Standard * This isn't just a memoir of government ... lots of considered and rational observations on how we run our society and economy ... good ideas about how the civil service and the British constitution might be improved ... Clegg does have qualities that are admirable, both in a politician and in a human being. He's honest about his mistakes, and examines in detail how his failures to understand the political game made his Liberal Democrats so horribly vulnerable at last year's election ... fluent and chatty ... thoughtful * Telegraph * An honest, likeable, rueful account ... Clegg writes with charm and humour about political life -- Michael Ignatieff * Financial Times * Engagingly frank and wry ... still as upbeat about the future of liberal politics as he was in 2009 ... Political memoirs are often used to settle scores. Clegg's is subtly different ... He takes full and rueful responsibility ... good, helpful and public-spirited ... This book isn't an attack on his coalition partners, it is about ensuring the Liberal Democrats get the recognition they deserve when the second draft of history is written ... Clegg was undoubtedly right to believe that in agreeing to be alongside the Tories in a government that would implement three-quarters of the Lib Dem's manifesto, he was doing a rational, noble thing ... Clegg analyses without rancour -- Jenni Russell * Sunday Times * This is not a doleful book ... soul-baring and commendably candid about his mistakes, but also a spirited defence ... Despite his own battering experience, Clegg remakes the case for multi-party governments and pragmatic compromise in an age of populists preaching ideological purities ... If he is correct, this honest and thoughtful book has some useful advice -- Andrew Rawnsley * Observer *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Random House (Digital)
File size
1,33 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-4735-4573-1 (9781473545731)
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
Person
Sir Nick Clegg is President of Global Affairs at Meta, its chief policy decision-maker. Between 2010 and 2015 he was Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He was elected to the UK Parliament in 2005 and became leader of the Liberal Democrat party in 2007. He has written two best-selling books, Politics: Between the Extremes and How to Stop Brexit. He speaks five languages.
