The Eye of the Storm The View from the Centre of the Political Scandal
By Rob Wilson
MPs’ expenses in 2009. Phone hacking in 2011. ‘Plebgate’ in 2012. If a good speech or a groundbreaking new policy fails to get people talking, you can be sure a juicy scandal will do the trick. Our instantaneous news culture of social networks, blogs and Twitter feeds means politicians now, more than ever, can find themselves the focus of every journalist in the country in what seems like the blink of an eye.
But behind this hostile media landscape, behind the storm of camera flashes and the clamour of opponents on all sides baying for blood, are the politicians themselves. With the benefit of personal interviews and access to senior officials including Vince Cable, Andrew Mitchell and Jeremy Hunt, Rob Wilson MP details what it’s really like to be at the heart of a relentless media onslaught.
Describing both the emotional upheaval and the strategies employed as politicians try to navigate through careers seemingly hanging by a thread, Wilson reveals the extraordinary political and personal stories behind the public drama; the real impact on those who live in the eye of the storm.
Reviews
A hugely entertaining read.
Good Book Guide
Rob Wilson is rapidly becoming one of the best-informed and most acute observers of Westminster politics. He brings the extra insights and instincts of a player with inside access to the heart of government.
Michael Crick, Political Correspondent, Channel 4 News
A very well-written, important and authentic book … Everyone interested in contemporary politics should study it.
Peter Oborne, Chief Political Commentator at The Daily Telegraph
Wilson writes fluidly and with compassion, and has coaxed more from his subjects than many journalists would have...
Tim Shipman, Sunday Times
5/5 The Eye of the Storm has been paid the greatest compliment a piece of political journalism can be paid: Downing Street tried to suppress it ...
Tim Bouverie, The Telegraph
