Things Can Only Get Better: Eighteen Miserable Years in the Life of a Labour Supporter

Things Can Only Get Better chronicles John O'Farrell's experiences as a Labour Party supporter during the Conservative dominance of British politics from 1979 to 1997. The memoir follows his journey from teenage activist to adult campaigner through the Thatcher and Major years. O'Farrell combines political commentary with personal anecdotes about his involvement in local party politics, elections, and protests during this period. His account includes both the national political landscape and grassroots perspectives from South London, where he lived and volunteered. The narrative tracks the Labour Party's internal evolution and modernization alongside the author's own political maturation. O'Farrell documents the defeats, disappointments, and challenges faced by Labour supporters during these years. The book uses humor to explore themes of political conviction, resilience, and the relationship between personal identity and party loyalty. Through his individual story, O'Farrell examines broader questions about opposition politics and maintaining hope during extended periods out of power.

Readers found the book provides a humorous yet honest account of being a Labour supporter during the Thatcher/Major years. Many appreciated O'Farrell's self-deprecating wit and ability to find comedy in political disappointment. Liked: - Personal anecdotes that captured the era's political atmosphere - Balance of humor with serious political commentary - Relatable experiences for left-wing readers - Clear, accessible writing style Disliked: - Some sections drag with repetitive political observations - Too much focus on the author's personal life for readers seeking pure political analysis - A few readers found the tone occasionally bitter Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (180+ reviews) "Laugh-out-loud funny while capturing the frustration of those years" - Amazon reviewer "Sometimes feels like reading someone's diary entries rather than political commentary" - Goodreads review "Perfect mix of personal story and political history" - LibraryThing user

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🗳️ The book covers the period from 1979 to 1997, tracking O'Farrell's political journey during the Conservative Party's longest continuous period in government in British history. 📚 John O'Farrell wrote this memoir while working as a lead writer for the comedy series "Spitting Image" and "Have I Got News for You," bringing his satirical wit to the personal narrative. 🎭 The title is a reference to D:Ream's song "Things Can Only Get Better," which became New Labour's campaign anthem during Tony Blair's successful 1997 election campaign. ✍️ O'Farrell went on to become one of Britain's most successful comedy writers, penning columns for The Guardian and The Independent, making this political memoir his first major non-fiction work. 🗞️ The book was republished in 2017 with a new foreword reflecting on Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of the Labour Party, connecting the political themes of the original text to contemporary events.