Book Review: Why We Get The Wrong Politicians by Isabel Hardman

Isabel Hardman is a political journalist, who is currently assistant editor of The Spectator is the author Why We Get The Wrong Politicians.

The obvious answer some politicos have is ‘you keep voting for them!’ but Hardman’s book is a brilliant, thought-provoking analysis answering the question.

At a point in the book, she acknowledges her book is perhaps more of analysis of why we don’t get the right politicians. Using her experience as a member of the ‘lobby’, journalists at Nationals, who work in Westminster covering politics, she uses her links with MPs and former MPs to knit together a comprehensive explanation of all the challenges facing MPs.

Raising sometimes more than £20,000 to even stand, having to find the time to read and understand legislative bills, juggling family life, surgery work, online abuse and the whipping system.

You can’t help but feel sorry for the politicians in questions, especially when reading Hardman’s chapter on mental health and career prospects after losing seats.

She isn’t completely justifying of everything MPs do. She notes whilst some MPs say they don’t have time to always understand bits of legislation, they almost never say no to having a coffee with her.

Hardman is also quite critical of former Brexit Secretary David Davis, accusing him of a poor level of risk assessment and preparation and critical of former Chancellor George Osborne for sending ministers such as Chloe Smith or David Gauke to Minister’s Questions or interviews to avoid embarrassment for himself or to get The Treasury an easier ride.

The book does a remarkable job of explaining all the issues in becoming an MP and why it’s actually very difficult to be an effective legislator. Perhaps, one issue is it’s sometimes difficult for those from less affluent backgrounds to secure nominations, stand and win, due to cost.

Parliament then becomes too homogenous in background. As Hardman argues the individuals MPs may well be good MPs but as a group as a whole, they perhaps lack all the voices they need when forming policy.

I have more to say and discuss about Hardman’s book, but it’s perhaps best left to her herself. I cannot recommend this book enough. A must-read.

Rating — 5/5 stars

Next book to review: The Life and Times of a Famous Football Club by Tom Wright