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Values, Voice and Virtue

The New British Politics

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Values, Voice and Virtue

By: Matthew Goodwin
Narrated by: Matthew Goodwin
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Over the last decade, Britain has been rocked by a series of political revolts. The rise of national populism, the vote for Brexit, Boris Johnson's emphatic 2019 election victory, the fall of Labour's Red Wall, and the emergence of a very different brand of conservatism have all outflanked the country's liberal establishment and stunned the world. In trying to make sense of this remarkable churn and change, many commentators cling to very short-term and unconvincing explanations, pointing to social media, dark money, individual leaders, or the promises made to voters.

But, as acclaimed political scientist Matthew Goodwin reveals in this strikingly original study, this turbulence has been a long time in the making - and it is set to continue for many years to come. Embarking on a profound and wide-ranging analysis of postwar British politics, Goodwin shows how these revolts are all symptomatic of deeper shifts that are now rapidly reshaping our political world. He points to the rise of three new drivers over 'values', 'voice' and 'virtue', and shows how these uniquely powerful divides are now pushing us into a new era of political volatility.

© Matthew Goodwin 2023 (P) Penguin Audio 2023

 Europe Great Britain Political Science Politics & Government Liberalism Thought-Provoking Socialism Social justice Taxation Capitalism Economic Inequality British Politics

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Critic reviews

A single missile laser-targeted at a careless, feckless ruling elite who have ignored the wants and wills of the vast majority of voters ... The fundamental thrust of Goodwin's argument is right. ... a new centre ground of British politics is being formed - even if both parties have yet to fully comprehend it. (Sebastian Payne)
A much-needed corrective. It gives voice to those whose values are scarcely heard or represented by the media ... impassioned and convincing. (Patrick West)
Goodwin's central thesis is that the rise of the radical right, the Brexit referendum and Johnson's general election victory of 2019 are expressions of a deeper realignment in UK politics that pits the marginalised white working class, socially conservative older voters and the 'non-graduate majority' against a new elite of university-educated progressives. (Nick Pearce)
The most consistent chronicler of events that have upturned the UK several times ... there is much to recommend it as an antidote against the madness of our times. (Titus Techera)
Well-written and cogently argued ... [Goodwin] understands the broad forces that spurred the surprising changes and tumult in the politics of the West, and he writes about them without villainizing or heroizing ... a crucial one to read. (Bo Winegard)
This book is a valuable read for understanding better the cause of our recent democratic upheavals. (Baroness Stowell)
Hot property... [from] an insightful author and a trendsetting 'entrepreneurial academic', combining his scholarly work with writing punchy op-eds and making his case on TV and radio. (Rakib Ehsan)
Goodwin is angry on behalf of the white working class. He wants a political programme that offers them more protection from the gales of international economic competition and from the erosion of their socially conservative values. (David Willetts)
All stars
Most relevant
Thanks very much. Deserves the widest circulation. A compelling, thoroughly researched and valuable appraisal of the UK’s broken politics. As a traditionalist, working class, Oxford graduate boomer, I for one am urgently looking for the stranglehold of this misguided new elite to be broken by the coming populist revolt in 2024. Mr Goodwin’s next book will be even more fascinating.

Important insights and clear evidence

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Well written and narrated. Matthew Goodwin captures the very essence of today's politics. and rationales

Very informative

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A depressing description of the continuing decline of Britain and how what was predicted by Orwell in 1984 has happened to the Universities. The chasm between the new, so called educated, elite and the neglected, despised and so called uneducated, masses grows and remains unaddressed. The incompatibility between the values of the “Elite” and the successful delivery of public services like health, education both school and university, justice and immigration is made little of; and there is no suggestion of how the decline and impending fall in the function in our public institutions can be averted. Depressing. No vision of a way forward is given.
Conclusion? Our politics, politicians and civil service are dysfunctional, self seeking, disinterested in preventing the failure of our once successful public services and care not for the so called working classes who they despise and oppress. There does not seem to be a vision of a way forward for the provision of actual government of the country. Could their be a revolution? The Elite destroyed Boris so rapidly this seems unlikely but this remains a hope.
Performance is a bit monotonous and the story is repetitive.

Disenfranchised, disillusioned and distant. The chasms between our politics and populace.

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A very accurate overview of our times. Audio is quiet as is often the case with audible

Nailed it

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Even in the aftermath of the election and unrest, Goodwin remains correct. An excellent book.

Right again

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