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Code of Conduct

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

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Code of Conduct

By: Chris Bryant
Narrated by: Chris Bryant
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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 Civics & Citizenship Corruption & Misconduct Elections & Political Process Political Science Politics & Government Thought-Provoking Inspiring
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Critic reviews

So is this “the worst parliament in history”? An answer in the affirmative comes from the Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant. He delivers a lively, forensic, engrossing, sometimes entertaining, often disturbing and always unflinching interrogation of what’s gone wrong with our legislature. Sir Chris is the chairman of the committees on standards and privileges, and his previous works include a masterly biography of parliament. So he knows his way around its pinnacles and sewers. He also has firsthand experience of how grotesquely some fellow MPs can behave (ANDREW RAWNSLEY)
An important book that could lead to much-needed change . . . His analysis is spot-on . . . Bryant is empathic and likeable. So many MPs are career politicians and struggle to relate to the rest of us – or can’t be bothered to. Bryant has done lots of jobs and has lived an incredibly varied life . . . Bryant’s book does not simply expose the shortcomings of parliament; it’s a manifesto for reform. It lays our everything he thinks must change . . . The more he shows his humility, the more I’m convinced he’s the right person for the job (SIMON HATTENSTONE)
Blisteringly topical . . . We still need ideas on how to clear up sleaze in general. And few placed are better placed to offer some than the man who’s written this book, Sir Chris Bryant . . . Bryant is admirably self-aware . . . And for another, he’s very readable. He has a fine fund of historic anecdotes: for example, the one about the 18th-century MP who, as punishment for forgery, was put in the pillory and pelted with “eggs, ordure and dead cats”. He has amusing stories from his own life in politics. And he can be dryly witty (MICHAEL DEACON)
A manifesto for a better politics . . . Bryant’s account of what is rotten in the state of politics is neither lofty nor overmoralising, but remains gently steadfast in the belief that parliament in general and this one in particular has lost its way. Code of Conduct is an attempt to guide it back to something like the straight and narrow . . . Bryant brings with him more than two decades’ experience as a parliamentarian, a nonpartisan approach that helps him look beyond the failings of individuals to the system itself, and a raft of often small but practical suggestions for cleaning out the stables (GABY HINSLIFF)
A clean-up manual and rollicking parliamentary history
How rotten is our democracy? Chris Bryant knows better than most what the answer should be to this . . . The book is mostly concerned with how standards have disintegrated significantly since [2001], especially in the past three years of Conservative psychodrama . . . What Bryant suggests is actually based on what happens in parliament, rather than a caricature (ISABEL HARDMAN)
A powerful examination of parliamentary conduct and the eroding of standards . . . Engaging, thoughtful, powerful and funny (KATHRYN STONE)
All stars
Most relevant
clearly laid out case for reform. interesting and entertaining anecdotes. good performance by the author.

well worth your time

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Bryant lifts the lid on the shady dealings in Parliament, bringing into focus the breadth of modern-day corruption and the urgency of reform.

He narrates earnestly, even if his delivery is not entirely slick.

I've listened once; I will let it sink in and then listen again, because these issues are too important to misunderstand.

Eye-opening and damning

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I am consistently impressed by what I see of Chris Bryant and this book didn't disappoint. A fascinating insight, honest and humorous.

Thoroughly enjoyed

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The analysis of the problems with parliament was great as was Chris Bryant’s delivery. I liked that the solutions were suggested in the same chapter. It was refreshing that the book was focused and not padded out - it felt like the right number of examples and anecdotes.

Interesting, concise and very well read

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I got the audio version so I could listen to it while doing monotonous tasks. It had some fascinating insights into the workings of parliament, both current and historical. Chris also has some really credible ideas of how to overall the current processes and fix the major issues. Now it just needs someone in power to take heed and start making the changes he suggests. I won't hold my breath for that though.
It was a genuinely interesting book that was well read and massively helped me get through my boring tasks.

Fascinating insights

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