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You Can't Say That: Memoirs
A frank, gripping and moving - and controversial - autobiography from one of the most idiosyncratic and effective politicians of the last fifty years. His political convictions, his distance from New Labour, and his direct, plain-speaking style and personality have allowed him to survive longer than any of his contemporaries as a man of principle and influence. From his eccentric South London working class childhood to running one of the biggest cities in the world, Livingstone is one of the very few politicians to have scored a major victory over the Thatcher Government and has championed issues as diverse as the environment, gay rights and anti-racism. Written in Livingstone's unmistakable voice, by turns angrily sincere about social justice, wickedly droll and gossipy, and surprisingly wistful about people he has known and loved, this is a hugely important and remarkable book from one of the very few respected politicians at work today.
725 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2011
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104 people want to read
About the author
Ken Livingstone
17 books4 followersBritish Labour politician and former mayor of London.
Livingstone joined the Labour party in 1968 and is considered to be part of the hard-left wing of the party.
In 2000 he was elected for mayor of London.
Livingstone joined the Labour party in 1968 and is considered to be part of the hard-left wing of the party.
In 2000 he was elected for mayor of London.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 1, 2022
This book is a combination book. It's a biography of Ken Livingstone's life, coupled with a look at local politics in London and national politics in the Labour party. It really wasn't a bad read.
The book itself is divided into thirds. The first third follows his life till he becomes leader of the GLC. The second third follows his time as leader, an MP and his election as mayor of London. The final third watches (mostly) that period of his life.
The story telling itself wasn't bad. It dragged in places (mostly when describing some of the internecine wars that were undertaken while running the GLC 30 years ago), but overall the stories he tells weren't bad.
Back in the 1980s Livingstone was presented in the press as everything short of a "rabid Trotskyite" who wanted to recast London as Leningrad-on-Thames. The way he treated some members of his party was shabby, but time (and this book) have proved that he wasn't anywhere near as crazed as he was presented at the time.
Was he left-wing? Yes. Does he believe in state ownership? Yes. Would he have shifted the Labour party to the left if he could have done? Most certainly. However, he could better be described described as a left-wing pragmatist. There were certain equal-rights issues he believed in (gay rights, for example) which he wouldn't back down on (much to the chagrin of his detractors), but most of the time he had a good sense of what was achievable in his environment, and headed in that direction.
His sense of what was achievable with people, however, wasn't extended to the press of members of his national party, who he unerringly managed to rub up the wrong way. Some of the book examines his relationship with the press and Labour Party. Was he shabbily treated by them? Absolutely. Did the press try to do him down? Beyond a shadow of a doubt. But, lest we forget, it takes two to tango. If he managed his relationships with them better, he might have got more from like likes of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
In short, this is a decent book. There's something in it for those who remember "Red Ken" and those who knew the more modern man he became. My biggest problem with with the book is will readers care about both aspects of his personality?
The book itself is divided into thirds. The first third follows his life till he becomes leader of the GLC. The second third follows his time as leader, an MP and his election as mayor of London. The final third watches (mostly) that period of his life.
The story telling itself wasn't bad. It dragged in places (mostly when describing some of the internecine wars that were undertaken while running the GLC 30 years ago), but overall the stories he tells weren't bad.
Back in the 1980s Livingstone was presented in the press as everything short of a "rabid Trotskyite" who wanted to recast London as Leningrad-on-Thames. The way he treated some members of his party was shabby, but time (and this book) have proved that he wasn't anywhere near as crazed as he was presented at the time.
Was he left-wing? Yes. Does he believe in state ownership? Yes. Would he have shifted the Labour party to the left if he could have done? Most certainly. However, he could better be described described as a left-wing pragmatist. There were certain equal-rights issues he believed in (gay rights, for example) which he wouldn't back down on (much to the chagrin of his detractors), but most of the time he had a good sense of what was achievable in his environment, and headed in that direction.
His sense of what was achievable with people, however, wasn't extended to the press of members of his national party, who he unerringly managed to rub up the wrong way. Some of the book examines his relationship with the press and Labour Party. Was he shabbily treated by them? Absolutely. Did the press try to do him down? Beyond a shadow of a doubt. But, lest we forget, it takes two to tango. If he managed his relationships with them better, he might have got more from like likes of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
In short, this is a decent book. There's something in it for those who remember "Red Ken" and those who knew the more modern man he became. My biggest problem with with the book is will readers care about both aspects of his personality?
December 22, 2011
interesting and sometimes witty memoirs of the former mayor of london charting growing up and becoming a councillior through leader of the GLC to MP to the modern date
March 12, 2023
Could have been called “Ken sets the record straight” and given the amount of misinformation dished out to him over his career that’s fair enough. At nearly 700 pages this is a comprehensive look back at recent political events from a key player and maybe a bit heavy going for some readers. But for anyone who lived through those years it’s a good read written in an entertaining style.
The final chapter,which is a bit of a review of the political landscape in 2011, feels very relevant to both the main political parties in 2023.A depressing situation.
The final chapter,which is a bit of a review of the political landscape in 2011, feels very relevant to both the main political parties in 2023.A depressing situation.
May 31, 2013
One of the best memoirs I've read because there are so many interesting aspects, he's quite a distinctive personality and this is clearly written by him as, in some places, it is a bit clunky. Whether you agree or disagree with him, we do need more independent minded politicians who can take unpopular, awkward or just plain principled stands on issues.
As someone who thought he personified "the loony left" in the early 80s, I was surprised to be supporting him for Mayor in '99/2000 and wasn't disappointed. Quite simply he has one of the best records in office of any recent politician with real progress on issues such as environmentalism, minority rights and transport. Yes, there are still areas where we disagree - he's not critical enough of Communist regimes and too soft on the IRA - but far fewer than I would ever have believed 30 years ago. Indeed, even with the IRA he was fundamentally right as he always said we had to negotiate with them to end the thing.
It seems that his great flaw though has been the perception that he is anti-Jewish. He addresses this in this autobiog and it does seem unfair. It would be more accurate to say that he leans towards Palestinians than is actually anti-Jewish. Even the infamous Finegold affair saw him exhonerated when his unfortunate, off-the-cuff comments were deemed within context and designed to offend because of the harrassment by that particular journalist and his paper more generally. Sadly, people don't seem to have taken than on board and I struggle to think of any Jewish people I know who voted for him in '08 and 12. Very sad to see how this and Boris's superficial bonhomie, have enabled him to beat the genuine article of a London loving and progressive major. I hope we will see the like of Ken again as Mayor and maybe even in government, but I'm not holding my breath.
As someone who thought he personified "the loony left" in the early 80s, I was surprised to be supporting him for Mayor in '99/2000 and wasn't disappointed. Quite simply he has one of the best records in office of any recent politician with real progress on issues such as environmentalism, minority rights and transport. Yes, there are still areas where we disagree - he's not critical enough of Communist regimes and too soft on the IRA - but far fewer than I would ever have believed 30 years ago. Indeed, even with the IRA he was fundamentally right as he always said we had to negotiate with them to end the thing.
It seems that his great flaw though has been the perception that he is anti-Jewish. He addresses this in this autobiog and it does seem unfair. It would be more accurate to say that he leans towards Palestinians than is actually anti-Jewish. Even the infamous Finegold affair saw him exhonerated when his unfortunate, off-the-cuff comments were deemed within context and designed to offend because of the harrassment by that particular journalist and his paper more generally. Sadly, people don't seem to have taken than on board and I struggle to think of any Jewish people I know who voted for him in '08 and 12. Very sad to see how this and Boris's superficial bonhomie, have enabled him to beat the genuine article of a London loving and progressive major. I hope we will see the like of Ken again as Mayor and maybe even in government, but I'm not holding my breath.
October 15, 2015
At 700 pages this definitely requires commitment, especially as Livingstone seemingly uses it settle every score he can think of. He remembers every vote cast that he disagrees with in internal Labour party meetings, and what he regards as every betrayal of the Labour party and wider movement. This is underscored by a complete lack of magnanimity where he tells us how they met their karmic downfall at a later date.
To be sure, Ken was mistreated and misrepresented by the Labour party, media and wider establishment so one can understand that he has a lot of axes to grind. But these grudges often slow the pace of the book right down, and the book that I can think of that it compares to most in this regard is Margaret Thatcher's Downing Street Years.
That said, this is at times a compelling story from a man who has often been proven to be on the right side of history, most notably on equalities. He has a real passion for local government and London that shines through this book, and the story of his confrontation with the Thatcher government over Fare's Fair and the abolition of the GLC should be required reading for any student of 1980s politics, and the parts about the selection of Labour's Mayoral candidate in 2000 should be required reading for any student of New Labour.
His editors have done him little favours in not being more ruthless with the red pen - especially with his trip round Africa which just went on and on - but there is enough quality writing, reminiscences and observations to make it a worthwhile read.
To be sure, Ken was mistreated and misrepresented by the Labour party, media and wider establishment so one can understand that he has a lot of axes to grind. But these grudges often slow the pace of the book right down, and the book that I can think of that it compares to most in this regard is Margaret Thatcher's Downing Street Years.
That said, this is at times a compelling story from a man who has often been proven to be on the right side of history, most notably on equalities. He has a real passion for local government and London that shines through this book, and the story of his confrontation with the Thatcher government over Fare's Fair and the abolition of the GLC should be required reading for any student of 1980s politics, and the parts about the selection of Labour's Mayoral candidate in 2000 should be required reading for any student of New Labour.
His editors have done him little favours in not being more ruthless with the red pen - especially with his trip round Africa which just went on and on - but there is enough quality writing, reminiscences and observations to make it a worthwhile read.
July 19, 2014
Completing this book was hindered by the world cup and wimbledon and also because it was an arduous struggle, at times, to get through the detail packed into its pages. Never the less I would thoroughly recommend this book for its honest and candid insight into local and central government. As for Ken, it is inspiring that someone with such integrity survived our political system. It is a crime, that he was kept so perpetually at arms length.
Missing the fith star simply because of the statistical and name details, none of which meant very much to me and caused me to have to pause when otherwise I would have continued. If you enjoy that kind of thing then please feel free to see five instead of four!
Missing the fith star simply because of the statistical and name details, none of which meant very much to me and caused me to have to pause when otherwise I would have continued. If you enjoy that kind of thing then please feel free to see five instead of four!
August 5, 2013
One word - EXTRAORDINARY! From start to finish this book was compelling; emotive, and principled in equal measure.
Politicians and indeed, people, with integrity are a dying breed in the current social climate, Ken Livingstone is one of the these rare individuals and his story warrants full attention.
The book is a no punches-pulled assessment of the national political monologue over the period from the late 1960's through to the present day. The banality; incompetence, and duplicity of our political leaders has to be read to be believed. This book lifts the lid on all that is wrong with the country, and showcases attempts made to to deviate from the political norm.
Politicians and indeed, people, with integrity are a dying breed in the current social climate, Ken Livingstone is one of the these rare individuals and his story warrants full attention.
The book is a no punches-pulled assessment of the national political monologue over the period from the late 1960's through to the present day. The banality; incompetence, and duplicity of our political leaders has to be read to be believed. This book lifts the lid on all that is wrong with the country, and showcases attempts made to to deviate from the political norm.
April 21, 2013
As a political biography it's pretty dire - not once does he admit to a mistake whilst simultaneously suggesting that every worthwhile political decision if the last 30 years was originally his idea. It jumps about all over the place but when allowed to be read as a historical document of London it fairs better and he should have stuck to that rather than trying to constantly impress himself as a national and international politician. His media obsession, despite pleas to the contrary, is clear and he comes across as quite bitter. Livingstone achieved many things to be proud of in his career but this book is not one of them - an opportunity missed.
April 9, 2015
I have always found that I agree with most of what Livingstone says, and in this book I also found little to disagree with. But I'm not a Londoner. As autobiography this book is inevitably one-sided. He quotes numerous insults and unflattering comments from others, but these seem to be included to show what difficulties he was up against. Undoubtedly the media lied about him incessantly, and it is a tribute to his determination that he wasn't destroyed by all that. By the end of it I still wasn't sure exactly why so many on the left hate him. Disloyalty? Going too far? I don't know. A good read, though.
August 12, 2015
At nearly 700 pages, demanding stuff even for devotees, but if you're after a dissection of the intrigues and subterfuges of local government, Livingstone's second memoir is eye-opening, even if he does appear to be trying to settle every score built up over a 43-year period. As the blurb says, told in a voice that is unmistakably his and not for fans of BoJo, Livingstone does at least have the good grace to quote many of his detractors for a balanced view.
Read
April 7, 2015Could have made life easier for himself if he was prepared to make some compromises. Enjoyed it and learned more about the man.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews