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Tory Nation
The Dark Legacy of the World's Most Successful Political Party
By Samuel Earle
Read by Jamie Parker
Table of Contents
About The Book
‘A witty, lucid investigation into one of the great political mysteries of our time’ JONATHAN COE, author of Bournville
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How has the Conservative Party wielded so much power throughout our history?
The strange dissonance between the Conservatives’ destructive record in government and their record of victory – they have suffered only 7 major defeats in the last 150 years – is one of the defining riddles of British politics. Their power extends even to the rare instance of a Labour government, with the opposition party so often playing second fiddle to the Tory tune. Why?
Samuel Earle explores the roots of the current crisis and the real reasons for the Conservatives’ historic success, from their ruling class origins in the eighteenth century and their disproportionate influence on the British press to their stranglehold over national identity. He sheds light on the Conservatives’ historic appeal among the working classes and why the Labour Party so often disappoints.
Tory Nation describes the making of Britain through one party’s astonishing staying power. It’s only by reaching into our history, Earle argues, that we can understand how we got here – and how we can find a way out.
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'Earle has set out clearly and eloquently why our democracy is incapable of solving our political problems' ROBERT VERKAIK, author of Posh Boys
‘Eviscerating. Less a political book and more a mystery novel’ i-D
'Brilliant' NESRINE MALIK, author of We Need New Stories
'Rich and rewarding. Should be read and enjoyed by readers on the left, right and centre’ DAVID EDGERTON, TLS
______________________________________________________________________
How has the Conservative Party wielded so much power throughout our history?
The strange dissonance between the Conservatives’ destructive record in government and their record of victory – they have suffered only 7 major defeats in the last 150 years – is one of the defining riddles of British politics. Their power extends even to the rare instance of a Labour government, with the opposition party so often playing second fiddle to the Tory tune. Why?
Samuel Earle explores the roots of the current crisis and the real reasons for the Conservatives’ historic success, from their ruling class origins in the eighteenth century and their disproportionate influence on the British press to their stranglehold over national identity. He sheds light on the Conservatives’ historic appeal among the working classes and why the Labour Party so often disappoints.
Tory Nation describes the making of Britain through one party’s astonishing staying power. It’s only by reaching into our history, Earle argues, that we can understand how we got here – and how we can find a way out.
_________________________________________________________________________________
'Earle has set out clearly and eloquently why our democracy is incapable of solving our political problems' ROBERT VERKAIK, author of Posh Boys
‘Eviscerating. Less a political book and more a mystery novel’ i-D
'Brilliant' NESRINE MALIK, author of We Need New Stories
'Rich and rewarding. Should be read and enjoyed by readers on the left, right and centre’ DAVID EDGERTON, TLS
About The Reader
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio UK (May 4, 2023)
- Runtime: 9 hours and 9 minutes
- ISBN13: 9781398522701
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Raves and Reviews
‘A witty, lucid investigation into one of the great political mysteries of our time: the enduring love felt by the British people for the party which regularly manages to persuade them, against all the evidence, that it has their best interests at heart’
– Jonathan Coe, author of Bournville
‘Finally, someone has explained why the British electorate behaves like Turkeys voting for Christmas. You can have any colour, as long as it's blue. Sam Earle has set out clearly and eloquently why our democracy is incapable of solving our political problems’
– Robert Verkaik, author of Posh Boys
‘Eviscerating. Less a political book and more a mystery novel . . . untangles the riddle of the strange cognitive dissonance between the Tories’ bumbling, destructive political record and their inexplicable electoral success’
– i-D
'Explores the remarkable resilience of the Conservative party, which ought to be of interest to friend and foe alike’
– Spectator
'Not only brilliant but also steers well clear of facile ‘crisis of our politics’ analyses'
– Nesrine Malik, author of 'We Need New Stories'
‘A rich, well-written and rewarding book narrated with brio and insight. It should be read and enjoyed by readers on the left, right and centre’
– David Edgerton, TLS
Highly readable. Capably explains two innate Conservative traits that are beyond doubt: an unquenchable lust for power, and a deep belief in stooping to conquer.
– Observer
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Tory Nation Unabridged Audio Download 9781398522701
