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The Gatekeeper

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What to expect

‘A brilliant vivid and intimate new memoir’ The Daily Mail

’For over a decade Kate Fall was the most influential woman in British politics.’ Alice Thomson, The Times

For eleven years Kate Fall was one of David Cameron’s closest advisors. During some of the most significant political events of our times – the Arab Spring, the financial crash and a European referendum that has changed the face of British politics forever – she sat right outside the door of the Prime Minister’s office, earning herself the title of ‘gatekeeper’.

Fall takes us through the Cameron project, from its inception to coalition, reshuffles, political scandals, two general elections and three referendums. She speaks frankly and honestly about the Conservatives’ key players, their project to modernise the party, how the coalition worked (and how it didn’t). Shedding light on the world behind the public façade of politics, she reveals what it is like to be a woman at the heart of power: the blood, sweat and toil, the victories and regrets, the friendships and fall outs, the chaos and camaraderie.

Politics tests any relationship with its conflicting priorities of loyalty, belief, and personal ambition. The Gatekeeper is a very personal portrait of life behind the scenes at the centre of power.

Critics Review

  • ‘Eloquent and full of human detail, this is a dramatic eyewitness account […] Fall’s book is worth reading for many reasons, but perhaps most of all as an exploration of this strange, fascinating deployment of friendship as political strategy: how it works, and how it fails.’ New Statesman

    ‘A brilliant vivid and intimate new memoir’ The Daily Mail

    ‘Fluent, wise and entertaining … The best books on government are often written by those who can watch as well as do … Fall’s compelling memoir of Cameronism falls into the category.’ Evening Standard

    ‘Entertaining … Fall’s narrative is fast-paced and anecdote-rich … the characters she paints quite beautifully’ The Times

    ‘The book comes alive when Fall delivers the details and anecdotes.’ The Sunday Times

    ‘Pacy, personal … Enjoyable and fast-paced’ Financial Times

    ‘what everyone will be talking about…’ CG Magazine

    ‘[A] colourful inside scoop … you don’t have to be a political whizz to enjoy it … it feels like a thriller building up to a seismic moment you know is unavoidable.’ Grazia

    ‘For over a decade Kate Fall was the most influential woman in British politics.’ Alice Thomson, Columnist, The Times

    ‘Kate Fall was not just the gatekeeper; she was at the heart of the Number Ten operation.’ Camilla Cavendish, The Times, Former Head of the No 10 Policy Unit

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