Ben Riley-Smith is the Daily Telegraph's Political Editor. He has spent a decade at the paper covering politics in the Scottish Parliament, Westminster and Washington, DC. He has interviewed the last five prime ministers and covered the elections and referendums that have shaped recent British politics first hand. He has been shortlisted twice for political journalism at the British Journalism Awards.
A brilliant encapsulation of thirteen years -- Andrew Marr Essential -- Jon Sopel A grippingly-written, detailed book that answers so many questions -- Isabel Hardman Insightful, authoritative and incredibly readable. It had me open-mouthed with amazement -- Ed Balls Superb -- Evan Davis Marvellous . . . Packed with insight, gossip and candid reflections from the major players -- Stephen Bush Expertly explains how a governing party mainly skilled in backstabbing survived in power -- Michael Portillo A wonderfully written canter through an extraordinary decade and a bit. Highly recommended -- Chris Mason Future historians will take Ben Riley-Smith's lucid and riveting book as their guide -- Alan Johnson Colourful and richly researched -- Rafael Behr Riley-Smith is an excellent, pithy writer with a knack for a telling phrase -- Daily Telegraph A sharp insider account of the long Tory reign -- New Statesman Terrific. Not all political books are page-turners. This really is. It will be a while before it's bettered. It is really excellent -- Matthew d'Ancona Filled with chaos, rebellion, infighting, backbiting and catastrophe and much more. Interesting . . . a cracking read -- Financial Times, 'Readers' Best Books of 2023'