Status Updates From How Westminster Works . . ....

Great insights and I definitly learned a lot but I do think there could have been more of a focus on the solutions.

Been recommended this book twice as I’ve been trying to get more invested in politics - something I checked out of so long ago but keen to learn more again. So far it’s so interesting!!!

listening to the audio book whilst doing chores so i’m probably gonna finish this pretty fast

listening to the audio book whilst doing chores so i’m probably gonna finish this pretty fast

incredibly interesting especially the chapter on the civil service so far

Enlightening in a slightly depressing way

Thought provoking and disturbing as the book’s title suggests

Finished the introduction - picks up on the harrowing theme of Rory Stewart’s book -The Rest is Politics’ where our country is run by amateurs, with no regard for any expertise in a minister’s portfolio. It’s very hard not to compare with how vast majority of private companies are run and how ruinous it would be if a CEO ran his company as a Minister of State runs their Department. I’m hooked in.

Another stop at Waterstones!!

I’ve found out way too many facts about Westminster than I thought I needed, and not in a bad way - really enjoying it so far!

327/355 Chapter 10 Read.

307/355 Chapter 9 Read.

280/355, Chapter 8 Read.

242/355, Interlude Read.

225/355, Chapter 7 Read.

200 of 355, Chapter 6 Read.

174/355 Chapter 5 Read.

148/355 Chapter 4 Read.

117/355 Chapter 3 Read.

25% of 355, Chapter 2 Read.

355—17% Chapter 1 Read.

51/355—14%

34/355—10%

28/355—8% Introduction Read.

355—5%

7/355—2%

Learning about the political minister position:
- you are gone before you know how to do the job effectively
- you don’t have the expertise needed this is not a primary consideration in allocation
- perpetual cabinet reshuffles and a focus on short term progress (which the system rewards) is problematic
- e.g. 24 housing ministers since 2000 - how will we ever monitor/see the impact of change?

Three chapters in and it really emphasises how bad the Tories are at running the country. I wouldn't trust them to organise a bring and buy sale at a village fete.

200

170