Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Kingmaker
- Secrets, Lies, and the Truth about Five Prime Ministers
- Narrated by: Sir Graham Brady
- Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
Kingmaker
Buy Now for £29.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
THE BESTSELLING INSIDER STORY OF WESTMINSTER'S BLOODIEST POWER BATTLES
THE MOST REVEALING POLITICAL MEMOIR OF THE YEAR
'Refreshingly honest' The Telegraph
'Deliciously bitchy' New Statesman
'Awaited with bated breath by political insiders' Tatler
David Cameron. Theresa May. Boris Johnson. Liz Truss. Rishi Sunak. Five prime ministers, one explosive memoir. Kingmaker lifts the lid on the leadership battles that have defined British politics for a decade and a half.
The last fourteen years have seen turbulence at the centre of politics that is perhaps unique in British history. From coalition to Brexit, Covid to Partygate, Trussonomics to this year's election, our government has never felt so fractured. And as Prime Ministers have come and gone, one man has been at the heart of every leadership challenge, seeing all, but saying nothing. Until now.
Sir Graham Brady was the Chairman of the 1922 Committee since 2010. As the leader of the group with the power to choose a new leader of the Conservative Party, it was his hand that held the executioner's axe over five consecutive Prime Ministers' heads.
Elected to Parliament in 1997 as the youngest Conservative MP in the house, Brady comes from a lower middle-class background and fell into politics age 16 when he joined a campaign to save his grammar school. This book is the story of how a boy from Salford came to be the definitive political insider.
With unique access to every key decision-maker of the past fourteen years, it offers insights into the character and choices of successive Prime Ministers and the administrations they led. Ultimately, it reveals where our most recent leadership failures originate, and asks hard questions about who will be fit to lead us tomorrow.
Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Kingmaker
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 03-11-24
An honest and amusing review
Sir Graham's account shows that there is still a lot of commitment and good in government even though parliament often gets a bad press. There are some good people around.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Paul C Roe
- 31-10-24
A great, listen
informative, eye opening in places as well worth a listen
only talks about the PM's and its an interesting insight into their ego's !
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Andrew Beard
- 26-10-24
A unique perspective on British Politics 2010-2024
This book presents a fascinating insight into British politics between 2010-2024 from Sir Graham Brady who for the majority of that time was chairman of the 1922 Committee, that represented Tory backbenchers. Brady comes across as a man of integrity and decency and one ultimately reflects therefore that we could have done with more like him actually within the cabinet during this period. I should have liked a bit more reflection on Johnson who is dealt with quite rapidly after some length in May and Cameron. He also races through Truss (understandable) and Sunak. The final chapter is an interesting reflection on all five PMs from the period. I listened to his book having just listened to Rory Stewart’s Politics on the Edge and I must confess I found he former more absorbing. Nevertheless Brady’s story gives an interesting perspective (not often shared) and his book is well worth a listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 31-10-24
Thoroughly enjoyable listen
There is certainly a bit less substance than what you'll find in the biographies of ex prime ministers (except Theresa May's) but this was a thoroughly enjoyable listen nonetheless. Graham is a very good writer and reader, and you will spend a pleasant few hours in the shoes of someone who had the chance to be in a very unique position at the heart of government.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- BlackMountainStomp
- 20-10-24
Excellent inside view.
Nearly didn’t listen because of some of the negative reviews but I’m glad I did. Found his bio a bit less than thrilling but once you are into the action on the five prime ministers this is a must read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. Ann M. Mcmahon
- 02-10-24
A Crowning Achievement
The high political drama of recent years, in particular, is fascinating in itself, but it is made even more so when related in Sir Graham Brady's calm, understated style. That he reads his book himself adds immeasurably to this effect.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Bill
- 02-10-24
Fascinating insight
Really interesting view of what went on behind the scenes. I would have liked even more detail and opinions really but enjoyed it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sylvie
- 29-10-24
Engaging and respectful
Excellent behind the scenes account that explained what really went on. Makes so much sense.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- tom kilcourse
- 26-10-24
insightful
interesting and insightful behond the scenes look at the corridors of power through tumultuous times
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Linda Neave
- 09-10-24
An Excellent Book
If you are interested in British politics this is an excellent book well read by Sir Graham Brady. It is very informative about what is going on within the confines of Parliament and a real eye opener. It also gives the listener/reader an in depth insight into the ‘I’ll slap your back if you’ll slap mine’ attitude of the MP’s within it. I do hope Sir Graham writes another book in the future because if it is up to this standard I will definitely be buying it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful