500 of the Most Witty, Acerbic and Erudite Things Ever Said About Politics

Jacket text for 500 of the Most Witty, Acerbic and Erudite Things Ever Said About Politics

Politics continues to fascinate. The political parties may, on the surface, appear very similar in outlook, approach and policies, but underneath they are as tribal as they ever were. Politicians are caught in a quandary. On the one hand people say "why can't you just agree with each other?" but on the other hand they demand a real choice. After all, if you can't tell the difference why on earth would you bother to get out of bed on a wet Thursday morning to go and vote?

The 500 hand picked quotes in this book take you through the whole political process, from defining what politics is through to standing for election, making speeches, holding power, being involved in scandal and finally, bowing out.

The overwhelming theme is that politics can be fun and humorous. Some of the humour is intentional but much is not. Take a parliamentary question from Dame Irene Ward MP during the war: "Is my right honourable friend saying that Wrens' skirts must be held up until all sailors have been satisfied?" And frankly, you can’t really follow that, can you?

500 of the Most Witty, Acerbic and Erudite Things Ever Said About Politics is a must have for anyone involved in, writing about, or simply interested in politics in the UK today.

Chapter headings for 500 of the Most Witty, Acerbic and Erudite Things Ever Said About Politics

First principles

A guide to politics
The art of politics
Being a politician
Political timing

So you want to be a politician?

Considering a political career?
Wise advice
Don’t expect any thanks
Loyalty
Skills you need
Great expectations
Having fun
Never whinge
Shrinking violets
Promises promises
Not that I’m one to gossip
Your flexible friend
Problems & solutions
Self-awareness
Image
Gaffe-prone?
Face up to your negatives

Getting elected

Why bother?
The point of an election
General elections
The moral high ground
Advice for the voter
Ambition
Leadership

Democracy
Definitions
The alternative

Speech making, oratory & spin

Rules
On your feet
Eloquence & oratory
The media
Spin

Parliament

Commons & Lords
Opposition
PMQs
Party discipline
Power
Abuse of power

Government
What Government is
What Government isn’t
Impressions of Government
Spending your money
Inner workings
Style of Government
Good Government
Bad Government
Diplomacy
Yes Minister
No Minister

Party politics

What is a political party?
Party games
Party differences
Labour of love
Conservatively speaking
Insulting Tories
Liberals
Isms
Family values
Freedom
Justice & the rule of law
Opportunity
Despotism
War & conflict
Economics
My country right or wrong
Predictions
Admitting you were wrong
Truisms & telling it like it is/Saying something but saying nothing
Insults
Compliments
Backhanded compliments
Foot in mouth
Master of the understatement
Double entendres
How to deploy humour
Self deprecation
Knowing when the end is near
Sex & morality

About Iain Dale

Iain Dale is Britain's leading political blogger. He is a political commentator for the BBC and Sky and presents a daily political chat show on the internet TV station 18 Doughty Street.com. He has a fortnightly column in the Daily Telegraph and is a former Conservative Party candidate. Iain's blog can be read at http://iaindale.blogspot.com

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