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Politics, But Better: How to Build a More Hopeful Britain
From the founder of Simple Politics comes a guide to rediscovering the heart of our democracy, reshaping our political system and making the UK a better place for all.
Strikes across the country. A prime minister resigning after just forty-four days. Accusations of bullying in the House of Commons. Our politics and our democracy appear to be fundamentally broken.
But that doesn't mean that all hope is lost. Things can get better. There are solutions out there to the complex web of failure in which we're currently entangled.
Politics, But Better will look at the very fabric of our system and what improvements can be made. Exploring twenty-six issues in UK politics, from A to Z – including censorship, elections, insults and U-turns – it clearly lays out the problems and challenges we face, and puts forward possible solutions. Looking at a variety of ideas and real-world examples, it will encourage us to rethink the fundamental ways we do things, to question the status quo, and to chart a path towards a more hopeful future.
Respect and understanding are at the heart of this book, promoting open debate, tolerance and compassion as the cornerstones of a reformed political landscape. Politics is about improving the world – and we can do better.
Strikes across the country. A prime minister resigning after just forty-four days. Accusations of bullying in the House of Commons. Our politics and our democracy appear to be fundamentally broken.
But that doesn't mean that all hope is lost. Things can get better. There are solutions out there to the complex web of failure in which we're currently entangled.
Politics, But Better will look at the very fabric of our system and what improvements can be made. Exploring twenty-six issues in UK politics, from A to Z – including censorship, elections, insults and U-turns – it clearly lays out the problems and challenges we face, and puts forward possible solutions. Looking at a variety of ideas and real-world examples, it will encourage us to rethink the fundamental ways we do things, to question the status quo, and to chart a path towards a more hopeful future.
Respect and understanding are at the heart of this book, promoting open debate, tolerance and compassion as the cornerstones of a reformed political landscape. Politics is about improving the world – and we can do better.
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2023
11 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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June 23, 2024I’ve been a follower of Simple Politics for years, they helped me navigate the pandemic and other political events through a calm and reassuring tone of voice. Spiller takes that same tone into this book, educating and informing the reader on the current political climate and what could be done to build a more successful political future. While I didn’t personally agree with him on certain ideas or opinions, I found the book to be well written and entertaining. Spiller brings the same self deprecating jokes and slightly optimistic commentary to this book as he does his social media page, and I have to commend him for providing a constant reassuring voice throughout the minefield that is politics.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #PoliticsButBetter #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #PoliticsButBetter #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
July 11, 2024
I have always since I remember had an interest in politics, it was a small part of my family and always included in my upbringing.
I have followed Simple Politics for a while, they have helped me navigate various topics in particular where it all feels overwhelming as they have this wonderful way of putting the information out there in a calm and concise manner. This same feeling can be felt throughout this book, where we are taken on a journey to where small changes could yield big results and how we can make a difference even at times it may feel like we are unable to.
Personally I didn’t find myself agreeing with his proposed changes or opinions at times, however the book is written very well and was thought provoking. I in particular related to where he discusses the idea of echo chambers and how that affects politics. As a migrant who has resided in England for many years I very much created my own echo chamber when it came to people discussing Brexit as this was something which was going to affect me greatly and I had no say in it and watching as people argued over my rights became too difficult. I resolved this by creating an echo chamber where everyone mostly has the same opinions, which is not perhaps the best solution. As Tatton suggest in his book we need to have the difficult conversations, we need to try and come together to try and bring about change, and together we can.
I have followed Simple Politics for a while, they have helped me navigate various topics in particular where it all feels overwhelming as they have this wonderful way of putting the information out there in a calm and concise manner. This same feeling can be felt throughout this book, where we are taken on a journey to where small changes could yield big results and how we can make a difference even at times it may feel like we are unable to.
Personally I didn’t find myself agreeing with his proposed changes or opinions at times, however the book is written very well and was thought provoking. I in particular related to where he discusses the idea of echo chambers and how that affects politics. As a migrant who has resided in England for many years I very much created my own echo chamber when it came to people discussing Brexit as this was something which was going to affect me greatly and I had no say in it and watching as people argued over my rights became too difficult. I resolved this by creating an echo chamber where everyone mostly has the same opinions, which is not perhaps the best solution. As Tatton suggest in his book we need to have the difficult conversations, we need to try and come together to try and bring about change, and together we can.
August 31, 2023
I need to start by saying I am a total politcal nerd and this book is right up my street. I found this book so easy to read and would make politics accessible to those who are not as engaged in it as me. I loved the format of this book, with an essay on a different topic for each letter of the alphabet. Many of the essays felt like a conversation and I had to stop myself from wanting to respond to the points raised. There were many topics that I had knowledge about and others which were new to me and I learned a lot from both types of topics. I will return to this book in the future as it is an enjoyable and informative read.
October 22, 2023
Tatton does a very good job of writing some succinct suggestions for how to improve our political discourse in the UK. The chapter on Tory Scum, the electoral rush, local councillors and yardstick were good insights, but others lacked depth - his chapter on God for example. Overall a good book to read, but nothing revolutionary.
September 19, 2023
I was a sucker for this book, I even bought it following an ad on Facebook which normally I never do!
But I was very disappointed. Our politics in the UK needs a big renewal, or overhaul or something. I'm interested in serious thinking and far reaching change although, like the author, I'm not a wrecker. Many of his ideas make sense to me.
The problem is practical. Spiller has a list of things to change, but no ideas about how these changes might come about. It's a pretty soft edged wish list. Most discussion goes nowhere, hinting at what but no idea how. At times I wondered if I was being gaslighted, presented with a bland vision of 'all politicians are doing their best, we might disagree about the means but we are all up for the same aims, we just need a more civilised way of running politics.'
There are some very specific problems. The first was in his discussion of consultation. He rightly says politicians are not good at listening to the rest of us or involving us in decision-making. He lists some examples of consultation but says little about the nuts and bolts.
But Spiller does mention one particular method - the Community Assembly. However he just skates past it saying it has been used in several countries including Ireland. In many ways Community Assemblies are exactly what he is saying we need and they work because some people have put a lot of effort into shaping them, they are not trivial. In Ireland they have brought about significant constitutional change, but they are practical and compact and quite revolutionary. Definitely a 'how to'.
A Citizens Assembly is focused on a single problem; it brings together a representative group of citizens, a bit like a big jury, maybe 100 people; it provides those people with access to serious expertise and resources to study the problem; and it ends with a policy recommendation, by the Assembly members, based on proper study and consensus, shared with the wider population. It is often the precursor to a referendum. The Assembly ensures that voters are given well considered, well-informed independent advice, by fellow-citizens, hopefully uncoloured by political dogma or vested interests.
But Spiller just says they exist and are one possibility, not a rich template available right now, easy to implement and already accepted by many authorities.
Then he goes on to how we vote, or actually he doesn't because there is no mention of the First Past the Post voting system in the UK and a very small number of other countries. He only mentions proportional representation in passing and not as something to be concerned about. It was at that point I felt gaslighted as I live in a 'safe' constituency where most votes do not count, my vote has absolutely no weight so I don't believe I live in a democracy. All the other stuff is irrelevant to me as long as I am disenfranchised. Huge numbers of people believe that reforming this would transform our politics but Spiller does not seem to have an opinion.
The third point came up when he was discussing incivility and personal abuse in politics. He rightly says this is a scary and counterproductive trend, exacerbated by modern media. But he makes the point that while politicians might disagree about how to achieve our aims as a country, there's broad agreement what those aims are and no reason to hate people because they disagree about the means.
That feels hugely disingenuous, especially as the issue he chose to illustrate it was the NHS, saying that all politicians agree it's important. In fact many people believe that the ruling party have deliberately run down the NHS and wish to get rid of a universal healthcare system, no matter what they say in support of it, and there's quite a lot of evidence that this could be true. So again I started feeling that there was gaslighting going on.
So bland, impractical, no real agenda for change and possibly a subtle gaslighting project.
But I was very disappointed. Our politics in the UK needs a big renewal, or overhaul or something. I'm interested in serious thinking and far reaching change although, like the author, I'm not a wrecker. Many of his ideas make sense to me.
The problem is practical. Spiller has a list of things to change, but no ideas about how these changes might come about. It's a pretty soft edged wish list. Most discussion goes nowhere, hinting at what but no idea how. At times I wondered if I was being gaslighted, presented with a bland vision of 'all politicians are doing their best, we might disagree about the means but we are all up for the same aims, we just need a more civilised way of running politics.'
There are some very specific problems. The first was in his discussion of consultation. He rightly says politicians are not good at listening to the rest of us or involving us in decision-making. He lists some examples of consultation but says little about the nuts and bolts.
But Spiller does mention one particular method - the Community Assembly. However he just skates past it saying it has been used in several countries including Ireland. In many ways Community Assemblies are exactly what he is saying we need and they work because some people have put a lot of effort into shaping them, they are not trivial. In Ireland they have brought about significant constitutional change, but they are practical and compact and quite revolutionary. Definitely a 'how to'.
A Citizens Assembly is focused on a single problem; it brings together a representative group of citizens, a bit like a big jury, maybe 100 people; it provides those people with access to serious expertise and resources to study the problem; and it ends with a policy recommendation, by the Assembly members, based on proper study and consensus, shared with the wider population. It is often the precursor to a referendum. The Assembly ensures that voters are given well considered, well-informed independent advice, by fellow-citizens, hopefully uncoloured by political dogma or vested interests.
But Spiller just says they exist and are one possibility, not a rich template available right now, easy to implement and already accepted by many authorities.
Then he goes on to how we vote, or actually he doesn't because there is no mention of the First Past the Post voting system in the UK and a very small number of other countries. He only mentions proportional representation in passing and not as something to be concerned about. It was at that point I felt gaslighted as I live in a 'safe' constituency where most votes do not count, my vote has absolutely no weight so I don't believe I live in a democracy. All the other stuff is irrelevant to me as long as I am disenfranchised. Huge numbers of people believe that reforming this would transform our politics but Spiller does not seem to have an opinion.
The third point came up when he was discussing incivility and personal abuse in politics. He rightly says this is a scary and counterproductive trend, exacerbated by modern media. But he makes the point that while politicians might disagree about how to achieve our aims as a country, there's broad agreement what those aims are and no reason to hate people because they disagree about the means.
That feels hugely disingenuous, especially as the issue he chose to illustrate it was the NHS, saying that all politicians agree it's important. In fact many people believe that the ruling party have deliberately run down the NHS and wish to get rid of a universal healthcare system, no matter what they say in support of it, and there's quite a lot of evidence that this could be true. So again I started feeling that there was gaslighting going on.
So bland, impractical, no real agenda for change and possibly a subtle gaslighting project.
June 28, 2024
As I write, the UK is on the cusp of a general election. I'm feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information that's being thrust at me through my door, on TV, let alone my phone; you can imagine... And so, when I was offered the opportunity to read and review this book (thanks to @netgalley and @elliotandthompson ), written by @TattonSpiller of @simplepolitics, I definitely did a little happy dance at my desk.
For those of you unfamiliar with Simple Politics, they became my guiding light during the pandemic as they sorted through the tsunami of information and presented it in an even- handed, understandable way, which really has become their trademark. This book definitely follows that style and is incredibly easy reading, with lots of positive and encouraging ideas as to how we could make British politics more robust, transparent and relevant to people from all walks of life.
Considering topics from A to Z, pausing en route to consider topics ranging from deportations to Rwanda, the role of the Church of England in our political landscape, and negative political merchandise, this book really challenges the perception that all British politics is bad, and that we are powerless to create change within our (currently broken) system.
Spiller is not arguing for completely ripping up the rule book and starting from scratch. He suggests simple tweaks that could enable politicians and voters to understand and communicate with one another more effectively.
This book is an absolute must if you feel underinformed, fatigued, or frustrated with the status quo. I'm not saying this book will change everything, but it might just give you hope for the future. You may not agree with everything it says, but it might just encourage you to see things from a different angle.
I think there are two quotes that are worth including here, as they kind of encapsulate the message of the book. The first one is from Jo Cox, an MP who was murdered in 2016. She said: ' We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us. The final word goes to the author, Tatton Spiller. He writes 'We have to dream. We have to act. We have to find a more hopeful future. We have to make politics better. Peace and love, Tatton'
This fabulous and accessible book, which originally published in hardback last year is publishing in paperback in mid-August.
For those of you unfamiliar with Simple Politics, they became my guiding light during the pandemic as they sorted through the tsunami of information and presented it in an even- handed, understandable way, which really has become their trademark. This book definitely follows that style and is incredibly easy reading, with lots of positive and encouraging ideas as to how we could make British politics more robust, transparent and relevant to people from all walks of life.
Considering topics from A to Z, pausing en route to consider topics ranging from deportations to Rwanda, the role of the Church of England in our political landscape, and negative political merchandise, this book really challenges the perception that all British politics is bad, and that we are powerless to create change within our (currently broken) system.
Spiller is not arguing for completely ripping up the rule book and starting from scratch. He suggests simple tweaks that could enable politicians and voters to understand and communicate with one another more effectively.
This book is an absolute must if you feel underinformed, fatigued, or frustrated with the status quo. I'm not saying this book will change everything, but it might just give you hope for the future. You may not agree with everything it says, but it might just encourage you to see things from a different angle.
I think there are two quotes that are worth including here, as they kind of encapsulate the message of the book. The first one is from Jo Cox, an MP who was murdered in 2016. She said: ' We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us. The final word goes to the author, Tatton Spiller. He writes 'We have to dream. We have to act. We have to find a more hopeful future. We have to make politics better. Peace and love, Tatton'
This fabulous and accessible book, which originally published in hardback last year is publishing in paperback in mid-August.
August 15, 2025
rating 3.5
I decided to pick up this book on a whim during an afternoon in the library, never previously hearing of Tatton Spiller or Simple Politics. I have always had a surface-level interest and understanding of politics, enough to get me by but not enough that I can say it's a genuine interest of mine. the politics of Britain is only becoming bleaker. and whilst I would love to say that Spiller forwarded over the solutions to solving Britain's current crises, this is not attainable.
I appreciate the hope that Spiller attempted to instil within us, his readers and any member of the public who decides to stumble across his book. the issue with politics, as he rightly stated, is that people who are not already versed in political spaces will not want to engage in anything they deem 'political'. yes, these same people consume political content absentmindedly every day of their lives: if they open any application on their phones, have the TV running in the background, go outside and pass by a newspaper article. they may not read these papers, listen to these broadcasts, speak of anything to do with the current state of our nation and world, but they are still interpreting the world through these mediums. Spiller endeavours to find a way to let these people into this space, that it is not the big, scary, "woke" creature that most of society has encumbered The P Word with.
Spiller remains optimistic throughout his book, retaining the point that hope is the way out of this black hole our nation has found itself spiralling down. whilst I honestly wish to agree with him, it feels like hope and kindness are not sufficient enough for where we find ourselves now. this is no fault of Spiller himself; you cannot overturn all the incredibly shitty things that have happened during this decade by yourself.
I liked the format of this book, breaking down a few of this nation's issues into easy-to-read chapters. it was easily digestible and definitely a good precursor for getting into political texts (it's not all negativos here!) and again, I did appreciate Spiller's hopeful stance on what we can do. I just don't think it is enough right now. but all we can do is try, and Spiller by right to him, tries.
I decided to pick up this book on a whim during an afternoon in the library, never previously hearing of Tatton Spiller or Simple Politics. I have always had a surface-level interest and understanding of politics, enough to get me by but not enough that I can say it's a genuine interest of mine. the politics of Britain is only becoming bleaker. and whilst I would love to say that Spiller forwarded over the solutions to solving Britain's current crises, this is not attainable.
I appreciate the hope that Spiller attempted to instil within us, his readers and any member of the public who decides to stumble across his book. the issue with politics, as he rightly stated, is that people who are not already versed in political spaces will not want to engage in anything they deem 'political'. yes, these same people consume political content absentmindedly every day of their lives: if they open any application on their phones, have the TV running in the background, go outside and pass by a newspaper article. they may not read these papers, listen to these broadcasts, speak of anything to do with the current state of our nation and world, but they are still interpreting the world through these mediums. Spiller endeavours to find a way to let these people into this space, that it is not the big, scary, "woke" creature that most of society has encumbered The P Word with.
Spiller remains optimistic throughout his book, retaining the point that hope is the way out of this black hole our nation has found itself spiralling down. whilst I honestly wish to agree with him, it feels like hope and kindness are not sufficient enough for where we find ourselves now. this is no fault of Spiller himself; you cannot overturn all the incredibly shitty things that have happened during this decade by yourself.
I liked the format of this book, breaking down a few of this nation's issues into easy-to-read chapters. it was easily digestible and definitely a good precursor for getting into political texts (it's not all negativos here!) and again, I did appreciate Spiller's hopeful stance on what we can do. I just don't think it is enough right now. but all we can do is try, and Spiller by right to him, tries.
August 31, 2023
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy for review.
Politics but better is a fantastic look into what UK politics could be if we looked at things with a little more hope.
Tatton has created a simple, engaging and accessible A to Z of current political issues and discourses which is fantastically written to encourage you to question and engage with politics at all levels. I absolutely loved this book and learned a lot from it, this is the perfect read for anyone looking to learn a bit more about how and why politics work.
Politics but better is a fantastic look into what UK politics could be if we looked at things with a little more hope.
Tatton has created a simple, engaging and accessible A to Z of current political issues and discourses which is fantastically written to encourage you to question and engage with politics at all levels. I absolutely loved this book and learned a lot from it, this is the perfect read for anyone looking to learn a bit more about how and why politics work.
September 22, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It is written is a very accessible and engaging way & really made me think about certain things. I really recommend reading this book. It reminded me that we don't just have to accept how things are.
July 27, 2024
What a refreshing read this was! I feel more confident in my knowledge of politics now thanks to the clear way this book covers all the topics. I also feel much more hopeful for the future! Some great ideas in here and I loved the way it looked at things from different angles .Thank you Tatton!
November 21, 2025
Escrito muy muy en simple, este ciudadano altamente politizado te expone problemas transversales del involucramiento político ciudadano en UK, mientras sugiere o imagina formas de hacerlo mejor.
Como su título lo dice, pone laS politicaS en simple y, en ese ejercicio, me ha ido iluminando acerca de la naturaleza misma de lo que es la política: la pugna entre opiniones para perseguir una vida mejor para las personas.
Mi enganche más importante con el libro ocurrió cuando llegué al capítulo de la política en la escuela primaria.
Lo recomiendo, para que no nos olvidemos del significado último (y primero) de la política en democracia.
Como su título lo dice, pone laS politicaS en simple y, en ese ejercicio, me ha ido iluminando acerca de la naturaleza misma de lo que es la política: la pugna entre opiniones para perseguir una vida mejor para las personas.
Mi enganche más importante con el libro ocurrió cuando llegué al capítulo de la política en la escuela primaria.
Lo recomiendo, para que no nos olvidemos del significado último (y primero) de la política en democracia.
August 25, 2024
"Politics but Better" by Tatton Spiller is a refreshingly insightful guide that demystifies the often overwhelming world of politics. Spiller does an excellent job of breaking down complex political concepts and presenting them in a way that's both accessible and engaging. The book is well-structured, making it easy for readers of all backgrounds to follow along and grasp the nuances of political systems, processes, and debates.
One of the standout features of this book is its balanced approach. Spiller doesn't push a particular agenda but instead encourages readers to think critically and form their own opinions. His writing is clear, concise, and often infused with a touch of humor, which keeps the material from becoming too dense.
While the book is incredibly informative, I felt that it could have included more real-world examples to illustrate some of the points made. However, this is a minor critique in what is otherwise an excellent resource for anyone looking to better understand the political landscape.
Overall, "Politics but Better" is a must-read for those who want to engage more thoughtfully with politics without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you're a seasoned political junkie or just starting to dip your toes into the subject, this book offers valuable insights and a fresh perspective on how politics can be both approachable and impactful.
One of the standout features of this book is its balanced approach. Spiller doesn't push a particular agenda but instead encourages readers to think critically and form their own opinions. His writing is clear, concise, and often infused with a touch of humor, which keeps the material from becoming too dense.
While the book is incredibly informative, I felt that it could have included more real-world examples to illustrate some of the points made. However, this is a minor critique in what is otherwise an excellent resource for anyone looking to better understand the political landscape.
Overall, "Politics but Better" is a must-read for those who want to engage more thoughtfully with politics without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you're a seasoned political junkie or just starting to dip your toes into the subject, this book offers valuable insights and a fresh perspective on how politics can be both approachable and impactful.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews