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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

Dawn Butler is the trailblazing Labour MP for Brent Central, best known for speaking truth to power. In 2021, she was famously ejected from the House of Commons and threatened with police for calling Boris Johnson a liar. Her tireless campaigning to eradicate injustice, from the Met Police to the NHS, has changed lives, but until now, she's never talked openly about what has inspired and motivated her to persevere in the face of oppression.

Drawing from lessons from her own life, Dawn shows how traditional routes to success and power are outdated, and reveals that it's easier than we think to disrupt a broken system. She shares the values, people, places and beliefs that have helped her forge her own authentic path to power, including celebrating the strength of diverse communities, looking at an issue from all angles, and embracing intersectionality to drive real change. As the third Black woman ever to be elected as an MP, Dawn is a true pioneer, and now she wants to give others the courage and conviction to dream big and improve the world around them.

Ultimately, A Purposeful Life is uplifting and hopeful, showing how anybody can make positive change, even when our systems and structures feel irrevocably broken.

©2023 Dawn Butler (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

  • A funny, lively authorial voice. There are truths here that indisputably needed telling, and an irrepressibly bouncy confidence that inspires. An unexpectedly warm and uplifting read

    The Observer

  • Dawn Butler is a history-making, game-changing, ceiling-smashing politician whose passionate campaigning has transformed the lives of thousands. As the first Black woman to speak at the despatch box in Parliament, Dawn has inspired many others to blaze their own paths. This warm, witty and powerful book offers a fascinating insight into both the personal and political sides of her journey.

    Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

  • Dawn’s story is testimony to her extraordinary abundance of bravery and commitment to seeking and telling the truth in every circumstance.

    She constantly fills those around her with hope and encouragement. I am continually inspired by Dawn’s positivity and dedication to lifting her community with boldness and unwavering honesty.

    Emeli Sandé

  • Dawn Butler writes like she lives: direct, clear, engaged, empathic, funny, principled, outspoken. She is an inspiration: her book is a triumph.

    Gary Younge, author of Dispatches from the Diaspora

  • Dawn Butler’s book is a testament to her strength and resilience. A rallying cry to rise above adversity and embrace your innate power, it’s a source of inspiration and a call to action for people from all walks of life.

    Kanya King, CEO & Founder of the MOBO Awards

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