Mismanaged Decline What Politicians Won’t Tell You About the Economy
By Vicky Pryce and Andy Ross
How did the UK transition from being the world’s workshop to having the dependent, service-driven economy of today, prone to severe negative shocks and daunting economic challenges?
In an urgent reality check that will embarrass politicians from all parties, hugely experienced economists Vicky Pryce and Andy Ross track the forces that have shaped the UK economy since the Industrial Revolution. Drawing on extensive front-line policy experience, they tackle complex issues such as the reaction to globalisation and the legacy of deindustrialisation; the responses to Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine; the impacts of climate change, inequality and immigration; and whether the lack of investment and low growth of recent years were, in fact, inevitable.
Rather than placating populist sentiments with false promises, politicians must now be honest with the public about the difficult road ahead. After all, there will be no sudden economic reset. Advocating pragmatic solutions over political dogma, Mismanaged Decline proves that good economics heeds no ideology.
At a time of rising geopolitical uncertainty, this balanced, non-partisan account offers a blueprint for a stronger, fairer and more resilient economy.
Reviews
“Foxed by the dilemmas facing our economy? Here is a history and a present-day analysis making sense of it all, written with glowing clarity and deep understanding by two wise economists. Learn what went wrong and read their lucid explanation of what can put it right.”
Polly Toynbee, journalist and author
“No one should comment on British economic policy without having read this book.”
Professor Sir John Kay, economist, fellow of St John’s College, Oxford, and author of The Corporation in the Twenty-First Century
“This book is an absolute must for anyone who is concerned about the UK’s industrial decline and wants to do something about it.”
Professor Tony Travers, London School of Economics
“Political debates on the British economy tend to become unedifying ‘Punch and Judy’ arguments which disregard the long-term structural factors affecting economic growth and the external shocks over which governments have little control. This book is a critical but fair account of past government performance and future options, which also takes proper account of what is both possible and realistic.”
Sir Vince Cable, Leader of the Liberal Democrats 2017–19
“A timely wake-up call to politicians and policymakers of all stripes.”
Tej Parikh, Financial Times
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Buy this book
- Hardback, 320 pages
- ISBN: 9781837360314
- 20 November 2025
- £22.00
- eBook
- ISBN: 9781837360390
- 20 November 2025
- £16.99