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500 of the Most Witty, Acerbic and Erudite Things Ever Said About Politics by Iain Dale
  • 500 of the Most Witty, Acerbic and Erudite Things Ever Said About Politics

  • by Iain Dale
In stock, usually dispatched within 24 hours

    • Product code: 167155
    • ISBN: 1905641311, ISBN13: 9781905641314, 128 pages, hardback
      Published by Harriman House on 2007 , 1st
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    Description of 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.

    Contents of 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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