Shortlisted for the 2018 Waterstones Book of the Year
Winner at the 2018 Parliamentary Book Awards
Longlisted for the Orwell Prize, 2019
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“A really good book… Well-structured and well-written.” Observer
“Well written and incisive.” The Times
“Vital and compelling.” New Statesman

In an era when politicians are responsible for the Brexit logjam and embroiled in sexual-harassment and expenses scandals, it’s no wonder we’ve lost our faith in government. Every year, they introduce new legislation that doesn’t do what it sets out to achieve – often with terrible financial and human costs. But, with some notable exceptions, they are decent, hard-working people, doing a hugely difficult and demanding job. In this searching examination of our political class, award-winning journalist Isabel Hardman investigates the strange and demanding world of Westminster, and asks why we end up with representatives we no longer trust – and how might faith be restored.