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How To Run Britain: The must-read manifesto for change in British politics from ITV's political editor Robert Peston
THE LATEST BOOK FROM ITV'S ROBERT PESTON AND KISHAN KORIA ABOUT THE FRACTURED STATE OF BRITISH POLITICS - AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.
'Excellent book that should be read by all politicians . . . The book is eminently readable and is well worth reading.' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I would recommend this book to any open-minded person who loves our country and wishes to see it prosper.' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Britain is facing uncertainty, threats and risk in the ever-shifting political landscape at home and abroad. But how much should change? And how much will change?
How To Run Britain is a plea from Robert Peston and Kishan Koria to own what's gone wrong and make courageous reforms to everything, from the way we manage the economy to how we vote. We all know that, over the past fifteen years, British living standards have stagnated, inequality between - and within - communities has grown rampant, politicians have lost credibility and the trust of the nation. Millions say they are unheard and disenfranchised, victimised even. A far-right racist minority feels entitled to riot.
But what do those problems really mean - and how do we fix them? How can politicians win the trust back from voters, from teachers, doctors, students, pensioners - all those who feel left behind by those who purport to act in their best interest?
Peston and Koria's argument is first, we must interrogate everything that has gone wrong, and build solutions from there. This is not the time to shy away from the recent past, nor should we indulge in it. Instead, we should take the lessons learned over the past fifteen years and build a future-focused, strategic plan for restoring economic, political and social security to the country we know and love.
How To Run Britain is a manifesto for change in its simplest, clearest form, from the minds of two people who have seen it all.
This is an updated, retitled edition of Bust? by Robert Peston and Kishan Koria, published in 2023.
'Excellent book that should be read by all politicians . . . The book is eminently readable and is well worth reading.' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I would recommend this book to any open-minded person who loves our country and wishes to see it prosper.' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Britain is facing uncertainty, threats and risk in the ever-shifting political landscape at home and abroad. But how much should change? And how much will change?
How To Run Britain is a plea from Robert Peston and Kishan Koria to own what's gone wrong and make courageous reforms to everything, from the way we manage the economy to how we vote. We all know that, over the past fifteen years, British living standards have stagnated, inequality between - and within - communities has grown rampant, politicians have lost credibility and the trust of the nation. Millions say they are unheard and disenfranchised, victimised even. A far-right racist minority feels entitled to riot.
But what do those problems really mean - and how do we fix them? How can politicians win the trust back from voters, from teachers, doctors, students, pensioners - all those who feel left behind by those who purport to act in their best interest?
Peston and Koria's argument is first, we must interrogate everything that has gone wrong, and build solutions from there. This is not the time to shy away from the recent past, nor should we indulge in it. Instead, we should take the lessons learned over the past fifteen years and build a future-focused, strategic plan for restoring economic, political and social security to the country we know and love.
How To Run Britain is a manifesto for change in its simplest, clearest form, from the minds of two people who have seen it all.
This is an updated, retitled edition of Bust? by Robert Peston and Kishan Koria, published in 2023.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 26, 2025
This book really highlights just how much politics comes down to the economy, and how at the moment, that means we’re screwed.
While some chapters offered insight into the longer-term trends causing our current predicament, overall I felt disappointed that this book didn’t offer much which was radical or new. Once again, the analysis of the problem takes up over 95% of the book, with too little time devoted to solutions or genuine debate about the future.
Also, while I understand AI has huge potential, I’m becoming tired of politicians and journalists using it to make vague promises about revolutions using technology which doesn’t yet exist. It often feels like a lazy way to avoid doing the actual work on what can be done in the here and now.
While some chapters offered insight into the longer-term trends causing our current predicament, overall I felt disappointed that this book didn’t offer much which was radical or new. Once again, the analysis of the problem takes up over 95% of the book, with too little time devoted to solutions or genuine debate about the future.
Also, while I understand AI has huge potential, I’m becoming tired of politicians and journalists using it to make vague promises about revolutions using technology which doesn’t yet exist. It often feels like a lazy way to avoid doing the actual work on what can be done in the here and now.
January 21, 2024
“A recognition that tomorrows headlines are of no significance whatsoever, it’s the headlines in ten years that count”
Quite a sad and disturbing account of where the UK currently finds itself. Uplifting elements with the thoughtful questions it asks that I found inspired hope
Quite a sad and disturbing account of where the UK currently finds itself. Uplifting elements with the thoughtful questions it asks that I found inspired hope
January 11, 2024
Quite a depressing book which highlights quite a lot of the problems with the UK. Enjoyed the policy questions at the end as there's some good ideas!
December 12, 2023
A lot of interesting food for thought, but also a lot of grim implications regarding what's probably in the pipeline economically and politically speaking.
On numerous topics, the book illustrates the UK as a country beset by a range of unique and worsening 'wicked problems', most of which seem likely to get a lot worse before they get better... it faces these problems with a political system that invariably proves itself unable or unwilling to help.
The book does not live up to its upbeat title in my opinion - in particular the authors come off far too optimistic about AI for my taste. If you tend to find yourself rolling your eyes at technocratic centrist solutions to major problems, this book may frustrate you in places.
Regardless, it's impressively broad and forward thinking in its scope - there's some interesting anecdotes about certain powerbrokers that Peston has been privy to as a journalist, and some thought-provoking (and fairly radical) policy suggestions in the conclusion - I'd say it's worth reading for those alone.
On numerous topics, the book illustrates the UK as a country beset by a range of unique and worsening 'wicked problems', most of which seem likely to get a lot worse before they get better... it faces these problems with a political system that invariably proves itself unable or unwilling to help.
The book does not live up to its upbeat title in my opinion - in particular the authors come off far too optimistic about AI for my taste. If you tend to find yourself rolling your eyes at technocratic centrist solutions to major problems, this book may frustrate you in places.
Regardless, it's impressively broad and forward thinking in its scope - there's some interesting anecdotes about certain powerbrokers that Peston has been privy to as a journalist, and some thought-provoking (and fairly radical) policy suggestions in the conclusion - I'd say it's worth reading for those alone.
December 10, 2023
In spite of it majoring on Britain's problems, and as a consequence being a little depressing, it is important to understand the true position, and the causes that got us here. The British have too rosy a view of our country and it's place in the world. Understanding the areas where we have an opportunity to excel is the first step in the recovery.
There are a set of very useful questions for further thought at the end.
There are a set of very useful questions for further thought at the end.
March 11, 2026
Peston knows his stuff. A mix of political history and contemporary understandings. Some of it seemed a bit like he had been wronged by politicians and wanted to get his complaints in the open tbh. But I love political gossip 🤭
January 21, 2024
Some interesting chapters and some jaw dropping facts. However other parts feel a bit like a rant and/or were insufficiently explained
February 20, 2024
Interesting but pretty cynical and moany from RP
July 27, 2025
An Eye Opener for those who have trusted in our system of government
Having read many books recently that have opened my eyes to the failings of our leaders in several governments, it was good to read so much explanatory detail in relatively simple terms.
I would recommend this book to any open-minded person who loves our country and wishes to see it prosper.
Having read many books recently that have opened my eyes to the failings of our leaders in several governments, it was good to read so much explanatory detail in relatively simple terms.
I would recommend this book to any open-minded person who loves our country and wishes to see it prosper.
November 8, 2025
A grown up counter to the reactionary easy-answer populists
Sets out what ails Britain and what to do about it if we are get back on to A progressive improvement path. The proposals at the end of the book are well thought out and balanced but also catalysts for the type and pace of change we need.
Sets out what ails Britain and what to do about it if we are get back on to A progressive improvement path. The proposals at the end of the book are well thought out and balanced but also catalysts for the type and pace of change we need.
June 21, 2025
Good book. Very interesting questions at the end
March 14, 2025
Somewhere between 3 and 4 star. Picked up chapter 5 - 8 and very enjoyable there, but otherwise a little indifferent
Chapter 1: The effect of change of monarch to hold constitution in current climate
Chapter 2: current economic challenges and how got here. Reviewing 1970s economics to here, growth, interest rate, inflation, etc
Chapter 3: Importance of AI adoption for growth of economy and productivity , whilst mitigating the risks and impact to livelihoods
Chapter 4: COVID-19 and it's impact on economy & Health service, and general proactive risk management in government
Chapter 5: History of Inflation in Uk and it's role in economy and impact on interest rates and government debt, and the Bank of England role in managing it . Recent management, and Quantitative easing and assets
Chapter 6: Global economy impact on Britain, and continued themse of chapter 5, digital currencies
Chapter 7: Productivity stagnation, Growing the economy by driving productivity, need for investment and championing of British business
Chapter 8: Explanation of the current nature of Housing market and it's history, impact on society and generational wealth inequality
Chapter 9: Boris Johnson as a leader
Chapter 10: Considerations and suggestions for improvement
Chapter 1: The effect of change of monarch to hold constitution in current climate
Chapter 2: current economic challenges and how got here. Reviewing 1970s economics to here, growth, interest rate, inflation, etc
Chapter 3: Importance of AI adoption for growth of economy and productivity , whilst mitigating the risks and impact to livelihoods
Chapter 4: COVID-19 and it's impact on economy & Health service, and general proactive risk management in government
Chapter 5: History of Inflation in Uk and it's role in economy and impact on interest rates and government debt, and the Bank of England role in managing it . Recent management, and Quantitative easing and assets
Chapter 6: Global economy impact on Britain, and continued themse of chapter 5, digital currencies
Chapter 7: Productivity stagnation, Growing the economy by driving productivity, need for investment and championing of British business
Chapter 8: Explanation of the current nature of Housing market and it's history, impact on society and generational wealth inequality
Chapter 9: Boris Johnson as a leader
Chapter 10: Considerations and suggestions for improvement
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2025
A well written but strange book suggesting socialist, verging on the communist, proposals for how to run Britain. Maybe that reflects my views as much as anything but the book reminded me of that quote by Churchill: “The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.”
February 22, 2024
Sobering
January 18, 2025
Thought it was more of a, how not run Britain and didn’t give as many alternate solutions as I was hoping.
May 15, 2026
A bit meh, doesn’t really say that spectacular but not a bad read and well written. Not for me
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews