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Code of Conduct

Why We Need to Fix Parliament – and How to Do It

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About this listen

 Bloomsbury presents Code of Conduct written and read by Chris Bryant.

THE INSTANT TOP TWO SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
SHORTLISTED FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY BOOK AWARDS

Longstanding Labour MP Chris Bryant tells the inside story of what went so wrong with Westminster – and how we might solve it.

'Takes a bulldozer to the crumbling edifice of parliamentary standards' JAMES O'BRIEN
'Absolutely riveting. I read, I blink, I gasp' REVEREND RICHARD COLES
'Vital. It should serve as a wake-up call to all of us' ALASTAIR CAMPBELL
'A lively, forensic, engrossing, sometimes entertaining, often disturbing and always unflinching interrogation of what's gone wrong with our legislature' ANDREW RAWNSLEY, OBSERVER

The extraordinary turmoil we have seen in British politics in the last few years has set records. With the last government, we had the fastest turnover of ministers in our history and more MPs suspended from the House than ever. Rules were flouted repeatedly, sometimes in plain sight. The government seemed unable to escape the brush of sleaze. And just when we thought it was all going to calm down a bit, another scandal would break.

Having spent years as Chair of the Committees on Standards and Privileges, Chris Bryant had a front-row seat for the battle over standards in our politics. Taking us inside the Pugin-carpeted corridors of Westminster, from the prime minister's office to the Strangers' Bar, he examines how parliament got into this mess and suggests how it might – at last – get its house in order.©2023 Chris Bryant (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Corruption & Misconduct Politics & Government Thought-Provoking Inspiring

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Always felt Chris Bryant to be a man with standards and passion. Both come through in this work. He has attempted to take a balanced apolitical view, but this must have been difficult given the current party has been in power, and therefore in the spotlight, for 13 years. I keep up with political news, but have never read a work on politics, my boredom threshold is very low! However, because of my respect for Mr Bryant (and the fact my mother came from the Rhonda), I gave it a go. Very pleased I did. Couldn't put it down and read it in a day. Didn't agree with everything, but it certainly gave me food for thought. I will need to reread to ensure a full understanding, but that is certainly no hardship. Hopefully, the perspective this lends to our political system will stir things up and open a debate.

Fascinating & insightful written with integrity

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Really interesting how it works in Westminster, Chris Bryant is my MP in the Rhondda, initially did not like him, but from Covid onwards , with his chairing of the committee, and having listened to this I have so much more respect for him

Great listen

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Chris writes from a position of moral accountability and historical awareness to dissect the increasingly failing nature of Parliament, and some of the people in it.

He has many well-argued suggestions for change but I wasn't hearing evidence of an actionable appetite for making it happen on the part of the only people who could do so.

Thoroughly enjoyable and informative listen, all the same.

insightful and entertaining

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An informed account of our politics weaknesses and strengths with practical suggestions for reform and transparency.

An inspirational MP

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A great insight into the working practices in Parliament. Honest and clear description of what needs to change if our democracy is to survive. Excellent examples. A must read.

Clarity and Honesty

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