Breaking the Code: Westminster Diaries 1992-1997 - Hardcover

Gyles Brandreth

4.05

278 ratings by Goodreads

9781849545907: Breaking the Code: Westminster Diaries 1992-1997

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1849545901 ISBN 13: 9781849545907

Publisher: Biteback Publishing, 2014

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Gyles Brandreth's revealing journal paints an extraordinary portrait of Whitehall and Westminster in our time warts and all. Brandreth MP for Chester and government whip enjoyed a ringside seat at the great political events of the 1990s, from the fall of Margaret Thatcher to the election of Tony Blair. With candid descriptions of the key figures of the era, from the leading players to the ministers who fell from grace, and a cast that includes the Queen, Bill Clinton and Joanna Lumley, these widely acclaimed diaries provide a fascinating insight into both the reality of modern government and the bizarre life of a parliamentary candidate and new MP. Controversially, Breaking the Code also contains the first ever insider's account of the hitherto secret world that is the Government Whips Office. This new, complete edition features material previously excised for legal reasons, as well as additional diaries that take the story on another ten years to the departure of Tony Blair and the arrival as Tory leader of David Cameron a bright young hopeful when Brandreth first meets him in 1993. A former Oxford scholar and president of the Oxford Union, Gyles Brandreth worked in theatre, television and publishing before becoming the Member of Parliament for the City of Chester and a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in John Major's government.

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About the Author:

A prolific author, broadcaster and public speaker, he is best known these days as a reporter on BBC1's The One Show and a regular on Radio 4's Just A Minute. On stage he has appeared as Malvolio and Lady Bracknell, and in his own musical revue in London's West End. On TV he has featured in Have I Got News For You, QI, Room 101, Countdown and This Is Your Life. His many books include two royal biographies, six Victorian murder mysteries featuring Oscar Wilde as his detective, and, most recently, the bestselling The 7 Secrets of Happiness. He is married to writer and publisher Michele Brown and has three children, six grandchildren and two cats.

Review:

By far the best political diary of recent years; far more perceptive and revealing than Alan Clark's. Peter Riddell, The Times Brandreth is the true Samuel Pepys of our day. Andrew Neil, BBC Radio Five Live Brandreth, for my money, offers about the most honest, and the most amusing, account of the demented, beery futility of the Tory-ruled Commons in the 1990s. Boris Johnson, Daily Telegraph Hilariously acute - Irresistible. Matthew d'Ancona, Sunday Telegraph Extremely touching - Brandreth emerges as a decent, amusing, talented and charming man. Simon Heffer, Daily Mail As a witty and insightful chronicler - Brandreth is unsurpassed. Michael Simmons, The Spectator A serious contribution to history as well as funny and touching. Breaking the Code is how politics genuinely is. The Times

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