Philip Cowley

Always be suspicious if someone offers the 50 things that you need to know: isn't it lucky that there were not an inconvenient 49, or 51? This book proves the point admirably; it has some details which are both interesting and informative about the British electoral system but it also has some sections of the bl**ding obvious dressed up as research. Whilst I am being picky, I found the 50 chapters, each averaging three and a half sides, too disjointed and a worrying tendency to find everything OK, really: e.g. yes, the press does have a right wing bias, but only because that's what their readers want.

Having got that off my chest, what did I like about the book (I gave it four stars, after all..)? It does provide statistic backed information as to the ways in which the electorate perceives the issues and personalities within our 'democratic' system. Although the short chapter size limits the detail, each section has copious source reference allowing the reader to pursue areas of interest. This book is a stimulating jumping off point for an examination of politics in the 21st century. Don't expect all the answers, but it does help to inform one's questioning.… (mer)