HAROLD WILSON | THE WINNER

TITLE - HAROLD WILSON | THE WINNER

WRITTEN BY - NICK THOMAS-SYMONDS

GENRE - POLITICS/BIOGRAPHY/BRITISH HISTORY

PUBLISHED BY - W&N

PUBLICATION DATE - AVAILABLE NOW 

I’ve always been fascinated by this period of Britain’s political history as it was a little before my time, even as a child of the ‘70s. At such a young age I had no concept of politics and the shenanigans going on in the country (but I knew Harold Wilson smoked a pipe). So, when I heard about Nick Thomas-Symonds’ book I saw an opportunity to fill the gaps in my knowledge. However, I should add that due to my being unfamiliar with the political history of the time, I am not in a position to comment on the author’s conclusions about Wilson’s policies etc. I am simply reviewing the book on its merits as a biography.

Symonds has had unprecedented access to Harold Wilson’s handwritten notes, letters and various other papers which have been hitherto unavailable, which have enabled him to perform a timely reevaluation of one of the most progressive Prime Ministers the United Kingdom has ever had, dealing with issues that will resonate today - membership of the EEC, women’s rights, British involvement in conflicts overseas etc.

An academic youngster with an exemplary record of scholastic achievement, with an unwavering childhood dream to go into politics and become Prime Minister, (a prescient photo shows the young Harold outside No. 10 Downing Street) Wilson leads an almost charmed life to get to the position he is best remembered for. He was, it seems, always the “winner” of the book’s title. Even the seemingly spontaneous quips and retorts in the Commons that he became famous for were the result of determined hard work and practice, having been accused of giving stuffy and boring speeches.

Symonds recounts Wilson’s political career in riveting detail, and whilst the political jargon can get complex at times, he has an accessible style that shouldn’t put off the casual reader without a grounding in politics. Much more fluid and easier to read than I expected, but not lightweight by any means, “The Winner” is an enjoyable and informative book, but not without its faults. I frequently got the impression that the author believes Wilson could do no wrong and that any failures or shortcomings in the Wilson government were the fault of other people. At times the book borders on hagiography. The reader is left in no doubt that NT-S is a big fan, even taking into account the fact he is a Labour MP, and I think it will be a matter of personal opinion whether this impresses or grates.

Overall, NT-S does a thorough job of reassessing Harold Wilson for a new generation and giving him his due credit for the enduring societal changes he brought about; he also humanises and rediscovers Wilson for those born too late to see him in action. This was truly a different time: today it generally follows that if you lose an election, you lose the leadership, but back then it was normal for the same person to remain leader even after a defeat. If nothing else, Symonds’ book proves that, with the current Labour Party now an inept shadow of the party Harold Wilson so successfully led, we will probably never see his like again.

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FORTRESS LONDON - WHY WE NEED TO SAVE THE COUNTRY FROM ITS CAPITAL

TITLE - FORTRESS LONDON | WHY WE NEED TO SAVE THE COUNTRY FROM ITS CAPITAL

WRITTEN BY - SAM BRIGHT

PUBLISHED BY - HARPER NORTH 

PUBLICATION DATE - 28TH APRIL 2022 

London is big, and getting bigger, and it’s influence on the rest of the U.K., Sam Bright argues, is detrimental, even malign. 

In the vivid preface to his excellent book, “Fortress London”, he describes England’s capitol city as a “towering, bulbous ant-hill”, home to virtually nine million people in the city itself and up to 14 million in the whole metropolitan area. London can be likened to a black hole that has sucked in politics, jobs, media attention, whose residents identify as Londoners before English or even British. To succeed in many modern careers, one is forced to go to London. 

He argues that London’s power needs to be curbed by encouraging Britain’s regions: the U.K. needs to be saved from its own capital. The focal point of a divided Britain, London is considered, mainly by those within it, to be a multicultural, progressive Mecca compared to the almost backward, xenophobic regions, made even worse by Brexit. Sam is fiercely proud of his Yorkshire roots and he admits this has coloured his writing and outlook, but that’s only to be expected. I know where he’s coming from, having had a similar background and upbringing: I like Sam as a narrator and guide. Bright examines his subject through the prism of the major talking points of our times - education, health, work, class divides etc to produce an accessible and powerful work for our times. 

Making use of statistics and interviews, there is much in the book that makes for sobering reading. I often found myself getting angry at the stark inequalities being laid bare, probably due to my background. In fact, how angry this book will make you will, I think, depend entirely on where and how you were born. 

Sam Bright writes with intelligence, erudition and occasional wit, producing the exact opposite of a dry, political diatribe. This is a very provocative book, very now: “Fortress London” is prescient, eye-opening (even eye-popping in parts) and vital, with a welcome strain of hopeful humour flowing through it.

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PLENITUDE

TITLE - PLENITUDE 

WRITTEN BY - DANIEL SARAH KARASIK 

PUBLISHED BY - BOOK*HUG PRESS 

PUBLICATION DATE - 7TH APRIL 2022 

Daniel Sarah Karasik’s “Plenitude” is a futuristic rallying cry for a generalisation of identity and society. These verses/passages are dense, kinetic and intelligent; rhythmic and often profane - adult trans-formational poetry for an undefined future. 

Daniel Sarah Karasik’s work is political, angry and confrontational, and it is quite breathtaking. The key poem is “trans-socialist” in which Karasik dreams of a society in which everything is, rather than one in which everything has to be something - a kind of communism (a term used with caution here) where we don’t have to worry about saying “communism” and “gender is reborn as pure play”. 

The poems are vital and sexy, in fact downright filthy in parts, often darkly funny but always screamingly honest. Karasik works hard at making you (the reader or anyone) like them and accept them, while at the same time liking and accepting themselves. Chapters are illustrated with striking graffiti art which suits the contents well. 

I know nothing about the trans condition but I like the future being created here, and I can enjoy this excellent poetry for what it is.

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