Confessions of a Political Maverick (an author inscribed first printing)

Austin Mitchell

ISBN 10: 1785904019 / ISBN 13: 9781785904011

Published by Biteback Publishing,uk, 2018

About this Item

uk1st.edition.1st.printing/near fine hardback in near fine dustwrapper.inscribed by the author on the half title page "best wishes-austin mitchell". Seller Inventory # 99edmc,,c

Bibliographic Details

Title: Confessions of a Political Maverick (an ...

Publisher: Biteback Publishing,uk

Publication Date: 2018

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Near Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition

About this title

Synopsis:

Shortlisted for the Political Books Awards 'Best Parliamentary Memoir 2018'

Austin Mitchell is a political maverick. For thirty-eight years he was a fly in the parliamentary ointment, a recurring itch on the body politic.

A maverick may annoy the whips, threaten party discipline and challenge the solemnities of Parliament. Troublemakers they may well be, but the Commons would certainly be a duller place without them.

However Mitchell s dissidence wasn t all bitterness without volume control. Rattling the cage, swimming against the tide, pursuing honourable causes and, of course, fighting for his constituency, Grimsby, proved a rewarding career in itself. Confessions of a Political Maverick succeeds in uncovering the realities behind the pretentious parliamentary facade of tradition and the stuffy complacency of Britain s failing political class.

Dissenting from the peculiar and highly particular conformity of career politicians dedicated to climbing the greasy pole can be a lonely role, but it can also be fun. It certainly was for Austin Mitchell.

Review:

I admire Austin Mitchell so much because he was one of the most independent parliamentarians of his epoch. Rather than slavishly following the party line, he consistently spoke up for the truth, and he genuinely represented his constituents. He is in the same tradition as Tam Dalyell and Tony Benn. This book has great value because it shows it is simultaneously possible to remain honourable and be a politician. --Peter Oborne

The path of the rebel isn't easy in politics, but Austin Mitchell is a brave, independent-minded maverick of a type we need more of. I enjoyed his account of his campaigns and the travails of today s backbenchers. You will too. --Kate Hoey

Austin Mitchell's book Confessions of a Political Maverick is well worth a read. He was a political maverick and I enjoyed our partnership on the weekly TV show Target. I think his confession that he came to conclude that he should have stayed in New Zealand where he was a distinguished TV interviewer and commentator is right. --Lord Tebbit

Parliament needs more independent-minded MPs who will fight for good causes. Austin Mitchell was one, and I enjoyed his account of the ups and downs of the job. Swimming against the tide can be tough but often needed if justice is to be secured and political principles adhered to. --John McDonnell

The candour is what hits you most when reading Austin Mitchell's memoirs. Some political autobiographies are written to set the record straight or inflate the writer's own ego. Mr Mitchell's is neither it is a funny, endearing and at times heart-breaking account of the life of an MP who did it all his own way. --GrimsbyLive

Entertaining, thought-provoking and shrewd ... Future historians will have it on their reading lists. --Sue Cameron, Civil Service World