The Crossman Diaries, published in the mid 1970s, broke convention by publishing accounts of confidential Cabinet discussions. In the event, the courts did not stop their publication, but until recently there was a rule that secret government papers, including cabinet papers, could not be made public until 30 years had passed. This has been reduced to 20 years and, in an era of freedom of information, any restrictions at all on publication of even the most frank and confidential papers is regarded as odd. Witness Wikileaks and Assange and, most recently, the belated finding of FO files relating to the Mau Mau rebellion of 60 years ago.
Nevertheless, it is still startling to find that books are written about major political events by the players within weeks of the events described. The formation of the coalition in May 2010 provoked a rush of instant books. Last night I went to a session of the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival where three new authors discussed their books on the formation of the Coalition government: Professor Vernon Bogdanor, Rob Wilson MP and Adam Boulton, political journalist. There are also newspaper reports of Alistair Darling’s forthcoming book on the financial crisis in which he played a major role, and of a new novel by the Speaker’s wife. On the one hand we are all fascinated to discover what really went on in the formation of the coalition (the theme last night seemed to be that “we no longer agree with Nick”), and what it meant for democracy and the promises made in the party manifestos; on the other, some distaste that politician-authors are making money out of spilling the beans. Given the growing preference for taking information on line, and the difficulties that book shops are experiencing, I doubt whether they will make money undeservedly. We should be told how we got to where we are, especially with the AV referendum coming up.
I am actually a bit worried by the recent rush to publish by currently active politicians.
Yes, the recent events were a major upheaval and very interesting to read about, but to a degree they are still unfolding.
We don’t know what the impact of fairly recent decisions will be in the long term, and books written a decade or more after traumatic events tend to be more thoughtful and reflective.
The other downside of books being written by currently active politicians is that they will also have an eye on their future career.
I wonder how many of the books coming out will actually be less a reflective history of the events, or more a “it wasn’t my fault, guv’nr!”
And a litany of books from the Cahncellor of the Exchequer’s wife and the FO minster in the lords Daughter, one and the same Frances Howell
On an observational note, or more likely Faustian, you never see a politician with his/her Grandparents do you ?
On the subject of secrets, well it’s all part of dealing in deceit isn`t it !
I don’t think anyone believes biographical or non fiction anymore from Andy McNab to the red top kiss and tells, little is believable and facts in politics are often opinion.
Some of the books published by members are collectors’ items, especially if they are signed by the author.
“Mint condition,first edition,signed by author”
Got a few myself, even if I can’t spell proper
(above post) or talk proper (here).
When the Crossman diaries came out, they were pushed like hell, which is probably why I did not read them, and did my best to avoid the newspaper excerpts as well.
There were things about ‘Arold’s govt which were not good, but at least he was a Welsh man.
As a mere 300 wpm ‘slow’ reader I shall not be able to keep up with such (evidently) mandatory democratic pujblications.
I just must say, however, that I am very willing to spoend much of such saved-reading time searching for the following sorts of publication
“Notes Concerning The Future ‘Earth’s-Carrying-Capacity’ Crisis” or
“How To Live Within This Earth’s Means”.
“A Do-ably Personally-Efficient Individual-Human-Development & Susainworthy-Earth-Citizenship Model”
“The Job-Efficiency versus Lifeplace-Personal-Efficiency Stalemate & Inevitable-Humankind-Self-Extinction Unstoppable-Juggernaut: is ‘Undo’ still possible, if so how many times, or alternatively how will Humankind both survive and thrive ‘forevermore’ ?”
Those might be books both possible and worthwhile to avidly-read and to be serially-learning from.
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1807W13April2011.JSDM.
As a mere 300 wpm ‘slow’ reader I shall not be able to keep up with such (evidently) mandatory democratic publications.
I just must say, however, that I am very willing to devote much of such saved-reading time to searching for the following sorts of publication
“Notes Concerning The Imminent Earth’s-Carrying-Capacity Crisis”
or “How To Live Within This Earth’s Means”.
“A Do-ably Personally-Efficient Individual-Human-Development & Susainworthy-Earth-Citizenship Model”
“The Job-Efficiency versus Lifeplace-Personal-Efficiency Stalemate & Inevitable-Humankind-Self-Extinction Unstoppable-Juggernaut:
is ‘Undo’ still possible, if so how many times; and alternatively how will Humankind both survive and thrive ‘forevermore’ ?”
———-
Those might be books both possible and worthwhile for billions of humans such as me to avidly-read and to be seriously serially-learning from.
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1813W13April2011.JSDM.