Just in time: Inside the Thatcher revolution

by John Hoskyns

Drawing on diaries he kept throughout his stint as Margaret Thatcher's Head Of Policy, Sir John takes us behind the scenes to show us how the Thatcher revolution was planned and executed. It is an intensly dramatic story and involves fierce battles within the shadow cabinet of the late 70's.

Genres: Politics, History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2000

Reviews

[Ronan Pandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly uninteresting in the specific details, but incredibly interesting (and important) for understanding (1) the general principles required for solving long-lasting issues within complex systems and (2) critical shortcomings from those at the apex of government (and accordingly, the skills/processes that are sorely needed): the lack of a strategy (including an understanding of the need to have one and/or the knowledge of how to produce one), an inability to plan, an inexperience in management and how to put together and coordinate high-functioning executive teams, crippling failings in the civil service (both operationally - e.g., the inability to bring in outsiders to top positions and to fire duds - and in terms of attitude of civil servants - amongst many, defeatist, and a natural predisposition to 'business as usual' thinking, even when that has proven to have led to the issues they were trying to address).

[James Greenbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating behind the scenes history of the first Thatcher term trying to release the declining British economy from the grips of union power, excessive spending and nationalised industries. A useful guide for anyone attempting a similar turnaround in future years.

[James Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

It should be required reading for everyone who wants to opine on politics. Deep thinking about underlying problems and how to solve them is more important and less often practiced than it ever is in politics.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to find a copy at a reasonable price; keep an eye on eBay and they'll come up. Quite a few universities and a couple of public libraries have copies.