Good Chaps: How Corrupt Politicians Broke Our Law and Institutions - And What We Can Do About It

by Simon Kuper

The 'Good Chaps' theory holds that those who rise to power in the UK can be trusted to follow the rules and do the right thing. They're good chaps, after all. Yet Britain appears to have been taken over by bad chaps, and politics is awash with financial scandals, donors who have practically bought shares in political parties, and a shameless contempt for the rules.

Simon Kuper, author of the Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller Chums, exposes how corruption took control of public life, and asks: how can we get politicians to behave like good chaps again?

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Audiobook

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 2024

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for every voter. Don’t be put off because it’s a political book, it’s relatively short and an easy, disturbing and, in places, amusing.

As quoted in this book and from evidence from our canvassing, trust in politicians is at an all time low. This book charts how this has happened and how it can be sorted.

One statistic reported early in the book was that Britain fell from joint 7th place in 2017 to 20th in the table of least corrupt countries. Who said Boris didn’t achieve anything.

On the strength of this book, I will order “Chums”, by the author, hoping that there isn’t too much overlap.

[millie___s. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sajmon Kuper je novinar Fajnenšel tajmsa i autor je zanimljivih knjiga. Jedna od njih je ova, koja predstavlja kratak pregled korupcije u Velikoj Britaniji. Naime, teorija ,,dobrih momaka” je skovana od strane Klajva Pristlija, jednog od ministara u Tačerinoj vladi. Uopšte uzev, tiče se hipoteze da dobri momci završe na vrhu, to jest, u vladi. Tačerku je držalo hrišćanstvo na vrhuncu antikoruptivnog zadatka, ali ni Torijevci ni Laburisti nisu bili imuni na nešto ,,što svi rade”, a ,,Sunce može da dezinfikuje”. Na primer, Bler je prvi britanski premijer koji je saslušan od strane policije i to tri puta, zbog davanja titula donorima stranke. Od skandala Profumo, pa Partigejta i do freebies za Starmera, korupcija je Britaniju srozala sa 8. na 20. mesto što se tiče Transparentnosti tj. Antikorupcije.

[Normanreadmoreman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alarming and important, this book is well worth a read! It presents a succinct, accessible critique of the moral decline in British politics, focusing on the erosion of the ‘good chap/chapette’ tradition of integrity and restraint. Whilst I value the UK’s strict spending limits in political campaigns, in comparison to the USA for example, this book opened my eyes to the corruption that still exists—and how relatively cheap it can be to influence British politics…

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Depressing and saddening at times but a great read nonetheless. Having read Chums, I was familiar with Kuper's arguments and thoughts. The metaphor of the Good Chap goes a long way into analysing British politics and I agree that the Good Chap has become rather fallible in today's politics, now that they are not compelled by war to hide their self-interest. It was really interesting to hear Kuper talk about how 'cheap' British politics is and the damage foreign influence in our politics has become. The chapter on the Lebedevs underlined the damage that occurs when we have a political system which is so easily corrupted. The lack of regulation on donations, cash for honours, cash for access shows that if we want politics to work in the interests of UK citizens, there must be rules that promote responsible behaviour from our politicians and not make it easy for plutocrats, oligarchs and foreign (inevitably authoritarian) governments to intervene and destabilise our government. Kuper spot on again!

[Gill T · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, if somewhat disturbing, read about British politics.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Matt Christiansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meant to read this before the election but nvm

[Jessica Lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read. The first non-fiction book I’ve ever read/enjoyed. Destroyed my already minimal faith in the British political system and I don’t think it’ll ever be fixed

[Callum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really quite depressing, but a necessary read.p to understand the role shady money plays in the UK political systems, both Westminster and devolved governments.

[noblethumos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Kuper’s Good Chaps: How Corrupt Politicians Broke Our Law and Institutions—and What We Can Do About It (2024) presents a trenchant critique of the erosion of ethical standards within British politics. Building upon themes explored in his previous work, Chums, Kuper dissects the decline of the so-called “Good Chaps” theory—a belief that British leaders inherently adhere to unwritten codes of conduct and uphold democratic norms. Through meticulous analysis, he contends that this traditional trust has been undermined by a series of financial scandals, partisan appointments, and a pervasive disregard for established rules, leading to a systemic crisis of governance.


Kuper’s narrative is both compelling and accessible, weaving together historical context and contemporary case studies to illustrate the transformation of Britain’s political landscape. He traces the shift from a mid-20th-century “golden age” of governance, characterized by a meritocratic civil service, to the present era marked by patronage and partisanship. This transition, he argues, has facilitated the entrenchment of “bad chaps” in positions of power, eroding public trust and institutional integrity.


A notable strength of the book is Kuper’s ability to synthesize complex political phenomena into a coherent and engaging narrative. His examination of the interplay between political elites and financial backers offers a nuanced understanding of how monetary influence has permeated policy decisions and party dynamics. Furthermore, his critique extends beyond mere diagnosis; Kuper proposes actionable reforms aimed at restoring ethical governance, including stricter regulations on political donations and enhanced transparency measures.


However, some critics have noted that while Kuper’s polemic is persuasive, it occasionally lacks empirical depth. As highlighted in a review by The Sunday Times, the book “delivers only a modicum of original reporting,” relying heavily on existing sources to build its case. Additionally, the focus on high-profile figures, such as former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, may overshadow broader systemic issues, potentially oversimplifying the complexities of political corruption.


Despite these critiques, Good Chaps serves as a timely and important contribution to discussions on political ethics and institutional decay in the United Kingdom. Kuper’s incisive analysis not only illuminates the challenges facing contemporary British democracy but also offers a clarion call for reforms to safeguard its future. This work is essential reading for scholars of political science, public policy, and modern British history, as well as for citizens concerned with the health of their democratic institutions.

GPT

[Ronocydennek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book highlights the utter corruption in our current and previous governments and unfortunately does not give much hope to the future in this area.

[Gráinne Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. This should not, I repeat not, be the same price as normal length books. Winds you up about sleezy, money grabbing tories and quite relevant now as donations stories are plastered all over the news. Labour need to be clean and stay clean, semi effort has been made by giving back some money for donations taken. I’d agree if there was reform to donations and all parties couldn’t accept any money and it was all state funded. Gets rid of one issue and allows everyone to be on a level playing field - communism doesn’t sound too bad now (lol).

I’m not entirely sure this needed to be a novel and he could have just published it is a series in the FT - wonder which way he’d get more money? I assume this way.

[Emma Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very topical read this week and one I was keen to cram in this week. Luckily at only around 160 pages this was easy to do.

This is well researched and whilst I probably knew most of what the book is about, I didn't know it to that level of detail. There's also something about reading it one chapter after another that really hits you of the goings on, particularly in the last 5 years.

I wouldn't call myself a politics geek but still found this easy enough to follow and digestible.

Relevant and timely.

[Percy Yue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eyes opening and enlightening. Never before can I imagine the degree and extent of corruption the UK Politicians are. I used to think Boris is/was charismatic and knowledgeable. Liz is witty but of bad luck. Well Sunuk never charms me but at least he was from posh school

OMG, they are same same greedy like the Chi na CCP and Russian Oligarch. The morale of the world is really declining significantly. Where can we find Good Chaps?!

[Alasdair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was torn between a 3 and a 4 here but gave the benefit of the doubt as the authors clear this book is not intended to answer everything or cover everything. What it is a great primer into the degradation of Britain’s public institutions and some thoughts on how to fix it.

A strong follow up to Chums but definitely not got the same punch or personality. I’m very glad Kuper wrote it and that he’s become a corruption watcher in the process.

[Anna Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if a little depressing! I knew about a lot of it as an avid private eye and londongrad reader but excellent to have in one place. The chapter on labour (new new, and New) is interesting and the impact of Johnson’s misrule devastating

[Julie Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book to make you spit in rage as you read about the corruption, the donations accepted and the general bad behaviour of our politicians who, in the lack of any written constitution or official guidelines on how to behave, have edged towards the the outer limits of decency and acceptability.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sequel to the excellent Chums, as the author does his reading and summarises the way that political donations, waved through by the Good Chaps, have polluted politics in Britain. A companion to James O'Brien's How They Broke Britain, but with even more filth and fury.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important information about money in politics. It is a year since the book was published and a lot more has happened since. This has bearing on the points made. Some credible arguments about reforming the system, not least that political parties should be state funded

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye-opening reveal of the nature and extent of corruption in British politics.

[Clare Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy his articles in the FT and this is a topical read on UK political parties. Slim volume but covers the main issues of the day in a digestible manner

[Chris Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but punchy well researched analysis showing how we are through,mainly Tory party, greed slipping into becoming a corrupt country.

[Jem · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is a very British form of corruption, disguised as friendship."

[Zaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy yet compelling and depressing read.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Equal parts fascinating and infuriating. An interesting theory as to why corruption became more widespread, with some thought provoking potential solutions.

[Joseph Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written account of bad behaviour in the government past and present.

[Steve Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly well written and shockingly insightful.

[Simon Linacre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deepkybimoresdivecresearch, but also a lightness of touch in the writing. Both infuriating and enjoyable

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

informative but bit repetitive

[severyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slight, and focused on one aspect of a complex picture.