Listen free for 30 days
-
Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit
- Narrated by: Philip Webster
- Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Politics & Activism
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £14.49
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Chief of Staff
- By: Gavin Barwell
- Narrated by: Gavin Barwell
- Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Once a more sedate affair, since 2016, British politics has witnessed a barrage of crises, resignations and general elections. As Brexit became logjammed, Theresa May's premiership was the most turbulent of all. In her darkest hour, following the disastrous 2017 election, she turned to Gavin Barwell to restore her battered authority. He would become her chief of staff for the next two years - a period punctuated by strained negotiations, domestic tragedy and intense political drama.
-
-
I wanted to enjoy this - but ended up frustrated!
- By Nick G on 10-11-21
-
All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain's Political Class
- By: Tim Shipman
- Narrated by: Rupert Farley
- Length: 32 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Based on unrivalled access to all the key politicians and their advisors - including Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, George Osborne, Nigel Farage and Dominic Cummings, the mastermind of Vote Leave - Shipman has written a political history that reads like a thriller and offers a gripping day-by-day account of what really happened behind the scenes in Downing Street, both Leave campaigns, the Labour Party, Ukip and Britain Stronger in Europe.
-
-
Magnificent blow by blow account
- By Mr SA Lambe on 02-03-17
-
The Blair Years
- Extracts from the Alastair Campbell Diaries
- By: Alastair Campbell
- Narrated by: Alastair Campbell
- Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shortlisted for the Channel 4 Political Book Award, 2007.
Longlisted for the Audiobook Download of the Year, 2007.
The Blair Years is the most compelling and revealing account of contemporary politics you will ever hear. Taken from Alastair Campbell's daily diaries, these audio extracts chart the rise of New Labour and the tumultuous years of Tony Blair's leadership, providing the first important record of a remarkable decade in our national life.
-
-
Rivetting
- By David on 13-07-07
-
The Prime Ministers
- Reflections on Leadership from Wilson to May
- By: Steve Richards
- Narrated by: Steve Richards
- Length: 13 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At a time of unprecedented political upheaval, this magisterial history explains who leads us and why. From Harold Wilson to Theresa May, it brilliantly brings to life all nine inhabitants of 10 Downing Street over the past 50 years, vividly outlining their successes and failures - and what made each of them special. Based on unprecedented access and in-depth interviews, and inspired by the author's BBC Radio 4 and television series, Steve Richards expertly examines the men and women who have defined the UK's role in the modern world.
-
-
Excellent if a little "written from the left".
- By Andrew James Roberts on 29-04-20
-
Revenge
- Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors
- By: Tom Bower
- Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
- Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The British Royal Family believed that the dizzy success of the Sussex wedding, watched and celebrated around the world, was the beginning of a new era for the Windsors. Yet, within one tumultuous year, the dream became a nightmare. In the aftermath of the infamous Megxit split and the Oprah Winfrey interview, the Royal Family's fate seems persistently threatened.
-
-
Better than most fiction
- By 451 on 21-07-22
-
One Party After Another
- The Disruptive Life of Nigel Farage
- By: Michael Crick
- Narrated by: Richard Attlee
- Length: 20 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nigel Farage is arguably one of the most influential British politicians of the 21st century. His campaign to take the UK out of the EU began as a minority and extreme point of view, but in June 2016 it became the official policy of the nation after a divisive referendum. In Michael Crick's brilliant new biography, One Party After Another, we find out how he did it despite never once managing to get elected to Parliament.
-
-
A very - perhaps too - fair assessment
- By David O'Leary on 19-02-22
-
Chief of Staff
- By: Gavin Barwell
- Narrated by: Gavin Barwell
- Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Once a more sedate affair, since 2016, British politics has witnessed a barrage of crises, resignations and general elections. As Brexit became logjammed, Theresa May's premiership was the most turbulent of all. In her darkest hour, following the disastrous 2017 election, she turned to Gavin Barwell to restore her battered authority. He would become her chief of staff for the next two years - a period punctuated by strained negotiations, domestic tragedy and intense political drama.
-
-
I wanted to enjoy this - but ended up frustrated!
- By Nick G on 10-11-21
-
All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain's Political Class
- By: Tim Shipman
- Narrated by: Rupert Farley
- Length: 32 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Based on unrivalled access to all the key politicians and their advisors - including Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, George Osborne, Nigel Farage and Dominic Cummings, the mastermind of Vote Leave - Shipman has written a political history that reads like a thriller and offers a gripping day-by-day account of what really happened behind the scenes in Downing Street, both Leave campaigns, the Labour Party, Ukip and Britain Stronger in Europe.
-
-
Magnificent blow by blow account
- By Mr SA Lambe on 02-03-17
-
The Blair Years
- Extracts from the Alastair Campbell Diaries
- By: Alastair Campbell
- Narrated by: Alastair Campbell
- Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shortlisted for the Channel 4 Political Book Award, 2007.
Longlisted for the Audiobook Download of the Year, 2007.
The Blair Years is the most compelling and revealing account of contemporary politics you will ever hear. Taken from Alastair Campbell's daily diaries, these audio extracts chart the rise of New Labour and the tumultuous years of Tony Blair's leadership, providing the first important record of a remarkable decade in our national life.
-
-
Rivetting
- By David on 13-07-07
-
The Prime Ministers
- Reflections on Leadership from Wilson to May
- By: Steve Richards
- Narrated by: Steve Richards
- Length: 13 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At a time of unprecedented political upheaval, this magisterial history explains who leads us and why. From Harold Wilson to Theresa May, it brilliantly brings to life all nine inhabitants of 10 Downing Street over the past 50 years, vividly outlining their successes and failures - and what made each of them special. Based on unprecedented access and in-depth interviews, and inspired by the author's BBC Radio 4 and television series, Steve Richards expertly examines the men and women who have defined the UK's role in the modern world.
-
-
Excellent if a little "written from the left".
- By Andrew James Roberts on 29-04-20
-
Revenge
- Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors
- By: Tom Bower
- Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
- Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The British Royal Family believed that the dizzy success of the Sussex wedding, watched and celebrated around the world, was the beginning of a new era for the Windsors. Yet, within one tumultuous year, the dream became a nightmare. In the aftermath of the infamous Megxit split and the Oprah Winfrey interview, the Royal Family's fate seems persistently threatened.
-
-
Better than most fiction
- By 451 on 21-07-22
-
One Party After Another
- The Disruptive Life of Nigel Farage
- By: Michael Crick
- Narrated by: Richard Attlee
- Length: 20 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nigel Farage is arguably one of the most influential British politicians of the 21st century. His campaign to take the UK out of the EU began as a minority and extreme point of view, but in June 2016 it became the official policy of the nation after a divisive referendum. In Michael Crick's brilliant new biography, One Party After Another, we find out how he did it despite never once managing to get elected to Parliament.
-
-
A very - perhaps too - fair assessment
- By David O'Leary on 19-02-22
-
Unleashing Demons
- The Inside Story of Brexit
- By: Craig Oliver
- Narrated by: Craig Oliver
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As David Cameron's director of politics and communications, Craig Oliver was in the room at every key moment during the EU referendum - the biggest political event in the UK since World War II. Craig Oliver worked with all the players, including David Cameron, George Osbourne, Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, Jeremy Corbyn, Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Theresa May and Peter Mandelson.
-
-
A self-serving therapeutic memoir that disappoints
- By Kieran on 21-12-16
-
Fall Out: A Year of Political Mayhem
- By: Tim Shipman
- Narrated by: Rupert Farley
- Length: 29 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By the best-selling author of All Out War, shortlisted for the Orwell Prize 2017. The unmissable account of politics covering Theresa May's time as PM through to the end of the election campaign. Stuffed to the brim with revelation and explanation of political debates and arguments and a superb follow-up to All Out War.
-
-
Brilliant and insightful
- By Chris Tech on 23-01-18
-
Boris Johnson
- The Gambler
- By: Tom Bower
- Narrated by: Harry Lloyd
- Length: 20 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As divisive as he is beguiling, as misunderstood as he is scrutinised, Boris Johnson is a singular figure. Many of us think we know his story well. His ruthless ambition was evident from his insistence, as a three-year-old, that he would one day be 'world king'. Eton and Oxford prepared him well for a frantic career straddling the dog-eat-dog worlds of journalism and politics. His transformation from bumbling stooge on Have I Got News for You to a triumphant mayor of London was overshadowed only by his colourful personal life, brimming with affairs, scandals and transgressions.
-
-
Not insightful or objective
- By Amazon Customer on 21-10-20
-
A Journey
- By: Tony Blair
- Narrated by: Tony Blair
- Length: 16 hrs and 3 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A Journey is Tony Blair’s first-hand account of his years in office and beyond. Here he describes for the first time his role in shaping our recent history, from the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death to the war on terror. He reveals the leadership decisions that were necessary to reinvent his party, the relationships with colleagues, the gruelling negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland, the battles over education and health, the implementation of the biggest reforms to public services since 1945.
-
-
flawed, but fascinating
- By Margaret on 30-10-10
-
Broken Heartlands
- A Journey Through Labour's Lost England
- By: Sebastian Payne
- Narrated by: Sebastian Payne
- Length: 12 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The red wall formed the foundation of Labour's vote in the Midlands and the North of England, but these places backed Brexit and then dramatically turned Conservative for the first time in living memory at the 2019 election, redrawing the electoral map in the process. Originally from the North East himself, Payne set out to uncover the story of the red wall and issues that turned the seats blue.
-
-
Unbearable
- By Arkhidamos on 24-10-21
-
Live from Downing Street
- By: Nick Robinson
- Narrated by: Simon Shepherd
- Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The relationship between those who wield power and those whose job it is to tell us what they are doing has always been fraught with tension. Politicians now expect to be on camera and facing aggressive questions from the moment they open their front door to the moment they return home at night. Everything they say and do is instantly broadcast and dissected on 24-hour news channels, blogs, and Twitter. It was not always this way. Live from Downing Street takes us on an absorbing journey through the hard-fought battles for the right to tell the public about the decisions taken on their behalf.
-
-
Interesting Book, Appalling Accents
- By John Bates on 14-12-12
-
Protest and Power
- The Battle for the Labour Party
- By: David Kogan
- Narrated by: Rupert Farley
- Length: 17 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Labour has shifted from the New Left, to New Labour, to Corbynista Labour. Now, it may see power again with a most unlikely group of activists from the 1970s becoming the fourth generation to win power since 1945. Only Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson and Tony Blair have won power from a sitting Conservative government. Of the 10 general elections since 1979, Labour has won three, all under Blair. This record of failure, if applied to any other walk of life, would raise the fundamental question of why continue to fight a losing battle?
-
-
Sorry That It Ended To Soon.
- By Farniboy on 05-03-21
-
All Too Human
- A Political Education
- By: George Stephanopoulos
- Narrated by: George Stephanopoulos
- Length: 3 hrs and 13 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As President Clinton's senior adviser, George Stephanopoulos saw it all: the endless arguments, the back-hall scheming, the protracted decisions, and the last minute flip-flops that somehow produced real accomplishments but also set in motion an almost tragic series of events that placed the fate of the president in the hands of the Senate. Now, with the natural ease of a born storyteller and the sensitive eye for detail of a novelist, Stephanopoulos tells his extraordinarily gripping story.
-
Election Notebook
- By: Nick Robinson
- Narrated by: Simon Shepherd
- Length: 14 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Just after 10 o’clock on Thursday, 7th May 2015, Nick Robinson stared down the lens of camera five in the BBC’s Election Night Studio to explain to millions the significance of an exit poll that shocked the country and heralded an earthquake in British politics. That moment was a personal milestone for the BBC’s political editor, who had been discharged from hospital just hours earlier following weeks of treatment for cancer and the loss of his voice after surgery.
-
-
Outstanding
- By Elizabeth Stewart on 21-10-15
-
Cameron at 10: The Inside Story 2010 - 2015
- By: Anthony Seldon, Peter Snowdon
- Narrated by: Dugald Bruce Lockhart
- Length: 19 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Five years in the making, Cameron at 10 is the gripping inside story of the Cameron premiership, based on over 300 in-depth interviews with senior figures in 10 Downing Street, including the Prime Minister himself. As dusk descended on 11 May 2010, David Cameron entered 10 Downing Street as the youngest prime minister since Lord Liverpool in 1812. He stood at the head of the first Coalition government in 65 years, with the country in dire economic straits following a deep financial crisis.
-
-
Fascinating and fast paced
- By Kindle Customer on 10-04-16
-
The Presidents
- 250 Years of American Political Leadership
- By: Iain Dale
- Narrated by: Iain Dale
- Length: 21 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There was a huge upsurge of global interest in US politics during the Trump presidency, culminating in the November 2020 election, the victory of the Democrat candidate Joe Biden and the subsequent, horrifying response in the storming of the US capitol. American politics is likely to remain deeply divided during the coming years and also the focus of global attention - with Trump mobilising his base for 2024. But the transatlantic fascination with the role and office of the US president isn't new at all and in fact reaches all the way back to the birth of the United States itself.
-
-
Leaders of the Free World
- By papapownall on 30-11-21
-
The Killing Season Uncut
- By: Sarah Ferguson, Patricia Drum
- Narrated by: Sarah Ferguson
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Australians came to the ABC's The Killing Season in droves, their fascination with the Rudd-Gillard struggle as unfinished as the saga itself. Rudd and Gillard dominate the drama as they strain to claim the narrative of Labor's years in power. The journey to screen for each of their interviews is telling in itself. Kevin Rudd gives his painful account of the period and recalls in vivid detail the events of losing the prime ministership. Julia Gillard is frank and unsparing of her colleagues.
Summary
From one of the greatest political journalists of recent times, an insider's account of four decades of covering the British political scene, packed with tales of the biggest political happenings of the last half century.
Philip Webster covered politics for The Times newspaper for 43 years, including 18 years as its political editor. He has been at the centre of all the big stories of the past four decades - the fall of Labour in 1979, the rise and fall of Margaret Thatcher, the emergence and fall of John Major, the rise and fall of Tony Blair and his wars with Gordon Brown, the aftermath of 9/11, the war in Iraq, the fall of Brown, the rise and rise of David Cameron and the shock election of Jeremy Corbyn.
Webster offers fresh insight into the great stories of his time. He gives a frank and revelatory insider's account of great political events since Michael Heseltine brandished the Mace, the night the Callaghan government fell, the day Sir Geoffrey Howe brought down Margaret Thatcher, the day Tony Blair said farewell, the night MPs voted for war in Iraq and every Budget and autumn statement for 40 years.
With the wit and geniality that has made him so many friends in politics, he reveals how stories came into his hands and how political journalism influences events as they unfolded. He has witnessed what he terms a golden age of political journalism, and this book offers an intimate account of his trade. The essential handbook for anyone interested by the craft of journalism, Inside Story reviews three decades of lead stories and the many politicians, great and small, he has encountered.
Critic reviews
"Philip Webster is a journalist of real intelligence and integrity with an ability to get on with all sides of the political spectrum." (Alastair Campbell)
"One of the greatest political journalists of my lifetime." (Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator)
"A brilliant journalist." (Tony Blair)
What listeners say about Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 08-12-16
Fascinating insight, after the event, of so much in politics over the last 40 years.
Well observed intrigue. The background stories were really fascinating. I felt that I knew the characters much better after listening to this book.
It a 'long listen' and great for flights and car journeys.
I would recommend it to anyone who want the background to so many political events of the last 40+ years.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- DominicMilo
- 02-07-19
A linear run through
A linear run through of well-known political events, scratching the surface of the media and lobby process, very dully presented. No insights, nothing new.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- L
- 29-03-17
really interesting read & fascinating perspectiv
very enjoyable book and recount of political history of recent decades...some fascinating insights as well
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- grant g
- 29-01-17
Dissappointing
What disappointed you about Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit?
Despite his incredible access to many of the major political players of the last 40 years the book for the most part remains very much at surface level. Perhaps due to the title I was expecting slightly more insight. The sections on recent events such as Brexit read pretty much as a linear collection of newspaper reports/summaries. The parts covering events further back proved more interesting primarily because they refreshed my memory. Webster's delivery pretty much kills any strong anecdotes he might have had. I listened to it all at 1.25 x and it still felt he needed a sugary doughnut and an expresso to pep him up. His sense of self importance when describing the tension at breaking his John Major and Edwina Curry exclusive was uncomfortable. It was undoubtedly a great story but let's not overlook the fact it really was tantamount to tabloid/celebrity gossip and he was hardly breaking open the Watergate scandal. Also a failure to give his views from inside the Murdoch empire or on the phone hacking scandal seemed a conspicuous omission.
If you’ve listened to books by Philip Webster before, how does this one compare?
N/A
Would you be willing to try another one of Philip Webster’s performances?
No
What character would you cut from Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit?
A professional orator would have been a sound investment
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kevin Loomes
- 16-10-17
Decent story spoiled by narrator
What could have been a good listen was made challenging to listen to by the author deciding to narrate his own book. The right narrator can make or break a book - no matter how good the book is.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Hubabakanda
- 18-12-19
Great book, unlistenable narration.
Never has the case been more strongly made for why people who aren't actors or orators should never narrate their own writing. The content is fascinating, but unfortunately Mr Webster's delivery is so frustratingly stilted and amateurish that I've had to abandon the audio book and buy it in print to read for myself. Such a shame, as I was so looking forward to hearing this. Book an actor and record it again!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 15-06-19
should be called no inside story or intrigue.
Really struggled to finish, repetitive and boring. the performance at lot like the writers life.
I am not normally critical but some one should stop this robbery. let me begin he says he is impartial, clearly not true. points out his best story is calling out Jhon major for cheating long after he was a has been. at a cost to the victim.
Quickly touches on the phone-hacking scandal basically ignoring the ethical points. moans about the decline in papers news etc... sadly does not consider, the parallel with trust and government / news propaganda pals network. (George Osborne and the best man at his wedding running the BBC) currently being ignored. with the rise of Trump Corbyn and Brexit. all in complete contradiction to news gods and think tanks.
Most of the big real news stories, he admits he was in the pub or playing golf. so 3rd person not inside story at best. he actually admitted to picking MPs to have lunch with, mainly because of how much they drank. sad case.
he sings the praises of TB. again touches on the IRA and half of the government with back door communications with them. No mention of JC attempt to make it official as a positive move. I think other than his life in government as an indirect instructed mowth peace, he clearly drinks a lot and can use shorthand better than most.
but his inability to see a change in the use of media and the change of popular political change is amazing it made the book feel empty of thoughts.
He says TB would have got another term without Brown. hahaha political but blind. Blair would not even have a manifesto without brown. Any insiders would know this as well as Tony getting a seat in browns office because he asked smith due to being bullied off other MPs. again makes me think his book 2D.
The clear change with the electorate, after Iraq and kelly the points he whitewashes over. points Corbyn was against with most voters and again ignored. Felt the book very boring and repetitive, always banging on about how good his short had is and how a lot of MPs like to openly use spin with him personally.
Never once looks into a story about conflicts of interest, no in-depth facts about expense scandal no intrigue at all. no mention of George Osbornes father in law having involvement with fracking, and his son in laws law changes. points you would think should be in the topics covered.
No mention of Mays lost pedophile documents and unexpected rise to power. or her husband business. very one sided.
no mention of Corbyn grassroots creating the biggest labour party in the EU. no attempt to explain the difference between antisemitism and anti-Zionist.
his book is very dreary vanilla with limited explanation on any of the points he makes. I did like the story about edd and David being used against each other, it really did show the similarities of conservative throat cut back stab government, and the blue blairight clone.
he gives a good idea on the time they spend in fighting and drinking in the pub than running the country. The same model grassroots labour need to avoid in all future governments. he doesn't see or explain the correlation of core paying people of his dwindling newspaper are the minority of people who can afford it... possibly years of the same have institutionalised him so I don't blame him for his clearly one-sided views. it is after all the only stories his paper will sell.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Helen W
- 02-05-17
Fascinating
A wonderfully entertaining read, perfectly narrated by the author. Insightful, impartial informative and totally fascinating.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mr
- 15-02-17
Woeful narration.
Interesting book but narration is so monotone that you just want to quit listening and go do something that you'll know is going to hurt.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- brian smith
- 04-02-21
A True Insight
A very telling insight into Westminster and beyond beautifully narrated by the author Philip Webster.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 02-01-21
Warning to non UK readers
This is a book written and read for those looking for a deeper prospective on 40 years of British politics. You need to know the basics before you try to read this. The book is not written chronologically which makes it hard to get through .
The details are there if you read long enough though. The narration is dull and uninspired. I think the thing that bothers me most is the diary like nature of the book. Snap shots and small glimpses are not the best way to tell a story.
The author does a good job humanizing the politicians he covered and places you where the action was in the stories he tells.
I recommend this book for those who want an understanding of what led to Brexit. However I would not start with it.
1 person found this helpful