Britain Is Better Than This

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What to expect

An urgent and timely exploration of a British political system in peril – and what we must do to save it.

For centuries, British identity has been shaped by ideas of exceptionalism, grandeur and competence. Yet British democracy is failing. Governments supported by a minority of voters are elected with enormous majorities under a deeply unrepresentative first-past-the-post system. The result has been failed leaders delivering wounding blows to the country's economy, prosperity and international image.

Britain Is Better Than This explores what lies beneath this sense of malaise, revealing the structural and constitutional failures at the heart of a sclerotic political system. It sheds light on a culture of lies, distrust and corruption. It reveals fundamental flaws in core institutions, including the media, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It draws on events such as the MP expenses scandal, Brexit, 'Partygate' and the farcical premiership of Liz Truss, as symptoms of a great nation at a turning point yet unsure of which way to turn. And it looks ahead, offering practical solutions to answer the key question of our time: What do we need to do to build a better future?

'The most compelling, lacerating description of the Muppet Show that is British public life I have yet read.' Will Hutton

'There can be no book more urgently needed than this one.' Steve Richards

Critics Review

  • The most compelling, lacerating description of the Muppet show that is British public life I have yet read. Esler on occasion reaches the heights of Tom Paine in his devastating mockery of the British system – from the corners of the House of Lords to the playing fields of Eton. You laugh out loud while violently agreeing – we are better than this.

    Will Hutton, author of The State We're In

  • Gavin Esler rightly asserts that Britain is better than this, shows with vivid insight why it is a country in deep crisis and what can be done about it. There can be no book more urgently needed than this one.

    Steve Richards, author of The Prime Ministers We Never Had

  • As Gavin Elser writes, ‘many of us feel that our demonstrably clever and competent country has lost its way’. I am certainly amongst their number. And I share his view that much of our problem is bound up with our outdated and unwritten constitution and our distorted media landscape. We can be better than this. We can be a stronger democracy and a kinder society. Gavin Esler’s important book points the way to that better future for our country.

    Professor Molly Scott Cato, Vice Chair of the European Movement

  • This powerful and passionate book sets out a searing account of why our political system is broken, and what needs to be done to repair the damage and restore our international reputation. I strongly recommend it!

    Lord Peter Ricketts

  • PRAISE FOR HOW BRITAIN ENDS:

    ‘A wonderful book which will be quoted in years to come’ New European.

    ‘An eloquent, forensic examination of resurgent English nationalism as the force that has driven Brexit and may now break up the United Kingdom’ Jonathan Coe.

    ‘A fascinating book that draws on poetry, literature and on-the-ground reporting’ The Times.

    ‘Packed with broad cultural and literary insight to go with hard-nosed political evaluation’ GQ.

    ‘A cool-headed contribution to this often emotional debate’

    Sunday Business Post

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