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The Turbulent Years: My Life in Politics
Kenneth Baker, former Conservative Party Chairman, reveals Mrs Thatcher's strengths and weaknesses, and charts the mixture of accident, mistake, ambition, intrigue, slighted pride, misplaced optimism and faulty judgement which led to her decline. Drawing on the diaries he kept over 13 years, Baker gives blow-by-blow accounts of key meetings and conversations, providing an insider's view of the triumphs and failures of this controversial period. His own career at the heart of British politics gives a perspective on the crucial political decisions of the last decade and a half, from infighting within the cabinet to educational reform.
- GenresHistory
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
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February 5, 2024
I've got most of the books by former Conservative members of Thatcher's cabinet and it's interesting to see the differing opinions of their thoughts on her leadership and on the events leading to her downfall. His opinion is that things like the Poll Tax and divisions over Europe played a part in the problems but that it was more than that.
He blames the failed economic policies of Nigel Lawson causing a recession and not providing the money needed to ease the Poll Tax in at a lower level and provide more aid to those on lower incomes. He blames the various Ministers who changed the details of the Poll Tax and dropped all of its safeguards and sensible parts, turning into a monster of a policy that caused so much grief. He also blames the determined ambition of Michael Heseltine and his desire to be the celebrity PM in her place for forcing her out. He blames a lacklustre leadership contest campaign and her own refusal to beg for the votes she thought she was entitled to, and the advice she received from close colleagues.
I found the book fascinating, especially the way he described the stages of important policies and bills, and the shocking way that his invention of a Community Charge was destroyed by brainless stupidity on all parts. I liked the way he put down the reasons for the overhaul of local government finance and how it was brought in to stop Labour councils continued overspending. But good ideas turn into bad policy whoever is in charge.
Very enjoyable read.
He blames the failed economic policies of Nigel Lawson causing a recession and not providing the money needed to ease the Poll Tax in at a lower level and provide more aid to those on lower incomes. He blames the various Ministers who changed the details of the Poll Tax and dropped all of its safeguards and sensible parts, turning into a monster of a policy that caused so much grief. He also blames the determined ambition of Michael Heseltine and his desire to be the celebrity PM in her place for forcing her out. He blames a lacklustre leadership contest campaign and her own refusal to beg for the votes she thought she was entitled to, and the advice she received from close colleagues.
I found the book fascinating, especially the way he described the stages of important policies and bills, and the shocking way that his invention of a Community Charge was destroyed by brainless stupidity on all parts. I liked the way he put down the reasons for the overhaul of local government finance and how it was brought in to stop Labour councils continued overspending. But good ideas turn into bad policy whoever is in charge.
Very enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review