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Tory Nation

The Dark Legacy of the World's Most Successful Political Party

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Tory Nation

By: Samuel Earle
Narrated by: Jamie Parker
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About this listen

 'A witty, lucid investigation into one of the great mysteries of our time' JONATHAN COE

‘Should be read and enjoyed by readers on the left, right and centre’ David Edgerton, TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
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Why do British politics so often play out on the Tories’ terms? What does this say about our democracy?

In his revelatory book, Samuel Earle explores the roots of the current crisis and the real reasons for the Conservatives’ unsettling success, from their ruling-class origins in the eighteenth century and their disproportionate influence of the British press to their stranglehold over national identity. He sheds light on the Conservatives’ historic appeal among the working classes and why the Labour Party so often disappoints.

Tory Nation describes the making of Britain through one party’s astonishing power over us. It’s only by reaching into our history, Earle argues, that we can understand how we got here – and how we can find a way out.
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'Written with historical depth and literary flair' NEW STATESMAN

‘Earle has set out clearly and eloquently why our democracy is incapable of solving our political problems’ ROBERT VERKAIK, author of Posh Boys

‘Gripping and indispensable’ NESRINE MALIK, author of We Need New Stories Europe Great Britain Political Science Politics & Government Liberalism Socialism Capitalism

Critic reviews

‘A witty, lucid investigation into one of the great political mysteries of our time: the enduring love felt by the British people for the party which regularly manages to persuade them, against all the evidence, that it has their best interests at heart’ (Jonathan Coe, author of Bournville)
‘Finally, someone has explained why the British electorate behaves like Turkeys voting for Christmas. You can have any colour, as long as it's blue. Sam Earle has set out clearly and eloquently why our democracy is incapable of solving our political problems’ (Robert Verkaik, author of Posh Boys)
‘Eviscerating. Less a political book and more a mystery novel . . . untangles the riddle of the strange cognitive dissonance between the Tories’ bumbling, destructive political record and their inexplicable electoral success’ (i-D)
'Explores the remarkable resilience of the Conservative party, which ought to be of interest to friend and foe alike’
'Not only brilliant but also steers well clear of facile ‘crisis of our politics’ analyses' (Nesrine Malik, author of 'We Need New Stories')
‘A rich, well-written and rewarding book narrated with brio and insight. It should be read and enjoyed by readers on the left, right and centre’
Highly readable. Capably explains two innate Conservative traits that are beyond doubt: an unquenchable lust for power, and a deep belief in stooping to conquer.
All stars
Most relevant
Excellent book about how the Tory "elites" (the aristocracy and the wealthy) rig the system for their benefit whilst convincing those who ultimately suffer the pain that the decisions made are in their favour!

Should be compulsory reading for all voters prior to an election.

What is truly terrifying is the way they are able to hamstring the Labour party's choices using the press and outright lying.

terrifying...

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Fantastic analysis of the sorry mess this poor country is in, and how we all live in the echo chamber of the right wing press. But take heart, a different society is possible, with decently paid workers, well funded public services, rent control and clean water. When they waffle on about cutting taxes, ask yourself who is this going to benefit? Think it through, cause the right wing papers aren’t going to help with this, they just stir and spread lies to make the turkeys vote for Christmas. Let us not be taken in again 🤨

A wake-up call to voters 🧐

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An excllent and quite Devistating Take down of the Tories. How they manipulate and change with one goal power and the protection of previlage

The reality of the UK

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By the end of this book, I was seeing red. The book does a fantastic job at outlining just how deep the rot goes in this country, and how little of a chance anyone actually has at doing anything about it.

Shocking and infuriating.

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I’m a Scot who’s lived in Kent half my life and I still don’t understand why the English vote against their own interests (& that of their nation). This book goes some way to explain how & why they do so in such numbers. With the Tories plus ça change plus c’est la même chose..

He’s not wrong about the English

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