Why We Get The Wrong Politicians

Isabel Hardman's investigation into British politics examines why the UK's political system attracts and produces politicians who often fail to serve the public interest. Drawing from interviews with MPs, candidates, and staffers, she documents the financial and personal costs of running for office, the dysfunctional culture of Westminster, and the barriers keeping many qualified people from entering politics. The book tracks the entire lifecycle of a British politician - from the sacrifices required to become a candidate through the daily realities of serving in Parliament. Hardman analyzes specific policy failures and institutional problems, demonstrating how the system's flaws lead to poor legislation and governance. Behind-the-scenes accounts reveal Parliament's archaic traditions, toxic behaviors, and structural issues that contribute to political dysfunction. The narrative follows both successful and failed political careers to illustrate the toll of public service. At its core, this is an examination of how democratic institutions can work against democracy itself, and what might be done to fix them. The book raises fundamental questions about political representation and the gap between voters' needs and their government's ability to meet them.

Readers found this book illuminating about the dysfunction in UK politics, with many noting it helped them understand why capable people avoid running for office. The behind-the-scenes look at MPs' daily challenges resonated with both politically-engaged readers and newcomers. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex parliamentary processes - First-hand accounts from MPs and staffers - Solutions-focused final chapter - Non-partisan approach Common criticisms: - Too focused on Conservative Party examples - Some repetition throughout chapters - Published in 2018, so misses recent political events Ratings: Goodreads: 4.15/5 (433 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (279 reviews) Representative review: "Eye-opening account of why our political system attracts the wrong people and pushes away the right ones. The section on MP selection processes was particularly revealing." - Amazon reviewer Several readers noted they changed their view of MPs after reading, developing more empathy for the challenges they face.

The Blunders of Our Governments by Anthony King, Ivor Crewe A study of British political failures reveals the systemic issues within UK governance and the decision-making processes that lead to policy disasters.

Democracy for Sale by Peter Geoghegan An investigation into dark money, hidden networks, and the corruption that shapes modern British politics.

This House of Lies by Robert Hutton The examination of how British parliamentary traditions, procedures, and customs influence political outcomes and shape lawmaking.

The New Power Elite by Aeron Davis The analysis tracks how a small group of political, business, and media elites maintain control over British democratic institutions.

The Political Class by Peter Allen The research demonstrates how the narrow social backgrounds of British politicians affect representation and policy-making in Westminster.

📚 Author Isabel Hardman took a break from political journalism in 2016 to focus on her mental health, later becoming an advocate for better mental health support in Westminster 🏛️ The book reveals that many MPs spend over £50,000 of their own money to get elected, creating a system that favors wealthy candidates 🗳️ Hardman interviewed more than 100 politicians from various parties, including former prime ministers, to gather first-hand accounts for the book 💼 The "Westminster bubble" phenomenon described in the book is so intense that some MPs reported losing touch with normal prices and everyday living costs 📖 The book won the 2018 Political Book Awards Debut Political Book of the Year and helped spark debates about parliamentary reform