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Haven’t You Heard?: Gossip, Power, and How Politics Really Works
In Haven't You Heard...? , Marie Le Conte looks at the role gossip plays in all areas of politics - for the people in positions of power, the press who have most of the control, and how the internet has changed everything. From policy rows which aren't about policy at all and boozy nights with dramatic consequences, to people spinning their way to the top and media quid pro quos veering into blackmail, she will set out in great and entertaining detail how politics really works.
Through interviews with over 80 MPs, peers, former ministers, senior civil servants, newspaper editors, lobby correspondents, No10 political advisers, lobbyists, academics, and everyone in between, Haven't You Heard...? explores why Westminster can seem so dysfunctional, why it often is, and why it shouldn't be any other way.
If you've ever wondered why 'rising star' MPs seemingly rise out of nowhere, how journalists decide who to tip for parties' leadership, why the indiscretions of some politicians make the front pages while others' don't, whether the civil service is as dull as it seems, and how the whips get to know everything, your questions will be answered in this brilliant book.
Through interviews with over 80 MPs, peers, former ministers, senior civil servants, newspaper editors, lobby correspondents, No10 political advisers, lobbyists, academics, and everyone in between, Haven't You Heard...? explores why Westminster can seem so dysfunctional, why it often is, and why it shouldn't be any other way.
If you've ever wondered why 'rising star' MPs seemingly rise out of nowhere, how journalists decide who to tip for parties' leadership, why the indiscretions of some politicians make the front pages while others' don't, whether the civil service is as dull as it seems, and how the whips get to know everything, your questions will be answered in this brilliant book.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2019
63 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
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September 9, 2019A very entertaining look at how gossip drives Westminster. You will need to be interested in the operation of British politics to enjoy this, and it is in no way a starting point for the uninformed.
It's a terrific picture of a chaotic unregulated system driven by informal engines of gossip and networking because there aren't sufficient sensible formal structures to keep the place functional. Le Conte also stresses the humanity of MPs, something it's easy to forget: we all gossip at work and have our little groups, it's just most of us don't run the country on that basis.
Very well written with lots of good stories and one-liners. I enjoyed it immensely and now want a completely new political system please.
It's a terrific picture of a chaotic unregulated system driven by informal engines of gossip and networking because there aren't sufficient sensible formal structures to keep the place functional. Le Conte also stresses the humanity of MPs, something it's easy to forget: we all gossip at work and have our little groups, it's just most of us don't run the country on that basis.
Very well written with lots of good stories and one-liners. I enjoyed it immensely and now want a completely new political system please.
September 16, 2019
I feel a little oddly about this book. It’s a good book and it’s funny and it’s well-written and it’s probably right.* But I hate the fact that it’s probably right, because I want politics to be more about policy and less about personality and process. But I want that to be the case at the same time as working in public affairs where obviously I work on building relationships for the good of the causes I work for. I suppose in some ways it all comes back to one of Marie’s early conclusions: politics is messy.
*Marie is wrong that agency PA bods are more interesting than in-house PA bods; they’re just less likely to have values. ;)
*Marie is wrong that agency PA bods are more interesting than in-house PA bods; they’re just less likely to have values. ;)
June 1, 2020
This book feels lazy. It that starts with a pretty basic thesis- I.e the wheels of westminster are determined by information sharing through informal networks - and reiterates it throughout in a number of vaguely thematic chapters.
The majority of the book is based on a small number of long interviews that the author has clearly conducted and think it seems sufficient for the 250 pages- and long meandering quotes are laid out verbatim. Even worse, often she references other people’s researched quotes from other books or interviews- sometime taking pages- therefore not having collected any research of her own.
That said, it paints a nice atmospheric picture of a number of political locations (specifically Westminster bars), and the political events (specifically party conference. It also, for the novice, lays out a number of lobbying and spin doctor tactics, the relationship between politics and the press, and the interdependency amongst all.
So for a light touch read for someone with a vague interest in politics that does not require much depth of thought, this wouldn’t be a bad choice.
The majority of the book is based on a small number of long interviews that the author has clearly conducted and think it seems sufficient for the 250 pages- and long meandering quotes are laid out verbatim. Even worse, often she references other people’s researched quotes from other books or interviews- sometime taking pages- therefore not having collected any research of her own.
That said, it paints a nice atmospheric picture of a number of political locations (specifically Westminster bars), and the political events (specifically party conference. It also, for the novice, lays out a number of lobbying and spin doctor tactics, the relationship between politics and the press, and the interdependency amongst all.
So for a light touch read for someone with a vague interest in politics that does not require much depth of thought, this wouldn’t be a bad choice.
May 13, 2020
I started reading this book mere days after it came out after spotting it in a bookshop. Unfortunately when I got home from the bookshop after getting about a chapter in I misplaced the book and only found it again a couple weeks back - and I'm glad I did.
Perhaps somewhat expectedly for a book about gossip in the heart of British politics it was funny and fascinating in equal measure and a definite page-turner. Some days the book was so hard to put down that I kept on reading well into the night to see what anecdote or interesting fact would appear on the next page.
In the book, Le Conte combines humour, scatterings of academic research, keen insight, and anecdotes ranging from the comical to the horrifying to provide a unique behind the scenes look at Westminster.
'Haven't You Heard?' is definitely not a book for everyone but anyone who wants to understand how and why decisions get made in UK politics would be foolish to avoid this book.
Perhaps somewhat expectedly for a book about gossip in the heart of British politics it was funny and fascinating in equal measure and a definite page-turner. Some days the book was so hard to put down that I kept on reading well into the night to see what anecdote or interesting fact would appear on the next page.
In the book, Le Conte combines humour, scatterings of academic research, keen insight, and anecdotes ranging from the comical to the horrifying to provide a unique behind the scenes look at Westminster.
'Haven't You Heard?' is definitely not a book for everyone but anyone who wants to understand how and why decisions get made in UK politics would be foolish to avoid this book.
January 31, 2020
Accessible and at times amusing insight into how British politics and Westminster really work, but like other readers I found it somewhat repetitive in places. Too many of the anecdotes are very old, or anonymous, or both, so it has more the air of well-stitched-together clippings piece than a book with lots of fresh juicy gossip.
September 16, 2019
Enjoyed it, but I would say that if you're interested in Westminster politics (and if you're reading this book, you're likely to be), it probably doesn't tell you a whole lot that's new. The best parts by far are the humorous anecdotes.
November 30, 2019
Interesting but too long
The central hypothesis of this book is interesting and there are certainly some good anecdotes from sw1. However once you get into the second half it feels like the author is relying on a lot of filler to bulk the book out and starts to drag a bit.
The central hypothesis of this book is interesting and there are certainly some good anecdotes from sw1. However once you get into the second half it feels like the author is relying on a lot of filler to bulk the book out and starts to drag a bit.
September 15, 2019
Some great insights and fun stories included. However, it's one step away from being a fantastic book.
January 29, 2021
A light-hearted and in places comical discussion of how the Westminster system really works and the role played by gossip and informality plays in the decision making process.
October 21, 2021
Like all such books, by the end it feels it's just making some very similar points again, but it's backed up by nice quotes and anecdotes and remains utterly readable. Enjoyed it
August 13, 2023
Bit of a reread, and shows it’s age very slightly now, however still remains essential peripheral reading for Westminster political understanding
This and Why We Get the Wrong Politicians are an essential pairing for understanding the human element of English politics.
Still waiting for what the author writes next
This and Why We Get the Wrong Politicians are an essential pairing for understanding the human element of English politics.
Still waiting for what the author writes next
August 24, 2023
A very fun and easy read. Marie Le Conte’s gossipy writing style matches the theme of the book which is essentially that the corridors of power at Westminster are fuelled by gossip.
March 19, 2024
Occasional morsels of salacious or historical interest, but with no real organising ideas, and not much stylistic verve, this book on political gossip misfires.
June 15, 2024
Can feel the sweat to reach a word count at times but pretty good
November 19, 2024
Some fascinating insights but a tab repetitive in places
January 5, 2020
Among this clan of forgotten men and women of Parliament there is gossip, at least that is what they are saying, i know did you evah, but what a swell party this makes it.
and in this book you can hear the normal stories of boys, girls, and unrequited love, which admittedly sounds like a soap opera you should tune in tomorrow for, or cry about what a swell party it sounds like you are missing.
you will not hear unfortunately of frills and frocks, but will of broads, No furs, they don't rock and they're not bootiful, but you will never read about such gaiety, never have I read such gaiety, in fact its all a bit too risque for some really.
Of course there are bars selling Domestic French Champagne, its good for the brain as they were going to say, where they'll thank you for saying they are brilliant fellows but please my friend don't eat my glass if you pick it up jack.
Where they still talk about Blanche (false name), a game girl who got run down in an avalanche but still came fourth, are you kids still having a nice time, the footnotes will drop you a line.
Never named is MImsie Starr, (false name) who got sloshed in a Parliament Bar, not to mention pinched and stoned, i mean did you evah, what a swell party this all sounds.
And all the SPADS checking out each others acts at conferences, thinking Oh such a nice dress, i think I can talk her out of it.
This book is great, this book is grand, this book is a wonderland, so sing La Da Da Da
Hear Secretaries sing, almost as rare as Camembert, or Baba au Rhum, if you dig that kind of crooning chum.
Remember they all think their stars, up until July when we collide with Mars, and Did you Evah, what a Swell Parliament, what a swelligent elegant parliament this is.
They'll drink to your health, they'll drink to your wealth, they'll call you Bon Ami, and explain that it;s french for their Liberty Fraternity.
And finally Remember they all think their stars, up until July when we collide with Mars, and Did you Evah, what a Swell Parliament, what a swelligent elegant parliament this is.
(my deepest apologises and thanks to Cole Porter)
and in this book you can hear the normal stories of boys, girls, and unrequited love, which admittedly sounds like a soap opera you should tune in tomorrow for, or cry about what a swell party it sounds like you are missing.
you will not hear unfortunately of frills and frocks, but will of broads, No furs, they don't rock and they're not bootiful, but you will never read about such gaiety, never have I read such gaiety, in fact its all a bit too risque for some really.
Of course there are bars selling Domestic French Champagne, its good for the brain as they were going to say, where they'll thank you for saying they are brilliant fellows but please my friend don't eat my glass if you pick it up jack.
Where they still talk about Blanche (false name), a game girl who got run down in an avalanche but still came fourth, are you kids still having a nice time, the footnotes will drop you a line.
Never named is MImsie Starr, (false name) who got sloshed in a Parliament Bar, not to mention pinched and stoned, i mean did you evah, what a swell party this all sounds.
And all the SPADS checking out each others acts at conferences, thinking Oh such a nice dress, i think I can talk her out of it.
This book is great, this book is grand, this book is a wonderland, so sing La Da Da Da
Hear Secretaries sing, almost as rare as Camembert, or Baba au Rhum, if you dig that kind of crooning chum.
Remember they all think their stars, up until July when we collide with Mars, and Did you Evah, what a Swell Parliament, what a swelligent elegant parliament this is.
They'll drink to your health, they'll drink to your wealth, they'll call you Bon Ami, and explain that it;s french for their Liberty Fraternity.
And finally Remember they all think their stars, up until July when we collide with Mars, and Did you Evah, what a Swell Parliament, what a swelligent elegant parliament this is.
(my deepest apologises and thanks to Cole Porter)
May 28, 2021
An enjoyable stitching together of insights into the less formal side of Westminster/Whitehall life but not a political classic.
It's comprehensive, even extending to clerks and lobbyists, and clearly written from deep familiarity and affection - potentially too much of the latter, as it robs the book of some potential bite. There's an awful lot 'oh we're all awful people really' but not much judgement passed.
There are some enlightening passages. The importance of physical spaces is highlighted, such as the central role of Portcullis House for MPs --a building 99% of the British public wouldn't be able to identify-- or the network of pubs around Westminster.
Conversely there are also good points on the rising importance of social messaging apps - how much easier is it to organise a political coup when no-one can see you plotting - but how many people will actually back up their WhatsApp messages? The potential for a single message to become the basis for an entire day's news cycle is a problem no-one has solved yet.
But there aren't enough concrete examples here to prove the primary argument -- that gossip, or more widely informal contact, is as important if not more so than formal politics. The most gossiped about figures aren't those at the top but relative nonentities such as Lembit Opik or Simon Danczuk.
Particularly in the post-Brexit referendum years, few of the major British political characters - Boris Johnson, Theresa May, Nigel Farage, Jeremy Corbyn - have been gossipy schemers in the same way as was true of New Labour or the Tory Notting Hill set. This suggests gossip is more important at times of relatively settled politics. The book addresses this in the final few pages by broadening the argument to the importance of charisma, shamelessness and the attraction of power, but that's a rather different argument.
It's comprehensive, even extending to clerks and lobbyists, and clearly written from deep familiarity and affection - potentially too much of the latter, as it robs the book of some potential bite. There's an awful lot 'oh we're all awful people really' but not much judgement passed.
There are some enlightening passages. The importance of physical spaces is highlighted, such as the central role of Portcullis House for MPs --a building 99% of the British public wouldn't be able to identify-- or the network of pubs around Westminster.
Conversely there are also good points on the rising importance of social messaging apps - how much easier is it to organise a political coup when no-one can see you plotting - but how many people will actually back up their WhatsApp messages? The potential for a single message to become the basis for an entire day's news cycle is a problem no-one has solved yet.
But there aren't enough concrete examples here to prove the primary argument -- that gossip, or more widely informal contact, is as important if not more so than formal politics. The most gossiped about figures aren't those at the top but relative nonentities such as Lembit Opik or Simon Danczuk.
Particularly in the post-Brexit referendum years, few of the major British political characters - Boris Johnson, Theresa May, Nigel Farage, Jeremy Corbyn - have been gossipy schemers in the same way as was true of New Labour or the Tory Notting Hill set. This suggests gossip is more important at times of relatively settled politics. The book addresses this in the final few pages by broadening the argument to the importance of charisma, shamelessness and the attraction of power, but that's a rather different argument.
December 27, 2022
Far more interesting than I thought it would be. Very accessible for anyone not that into politics or just starting to gain some knowledge. For a book about political gossip, it doesn’t actually share all that much political gossip, instead focusing on the personalities, processes and dynamics that shape the politics of the U.K. A sort of behind the scenes. All I could think while reading was how entertaining a reality show or documentary on the inner workings of the government would be.
That said, in a slightly strange way, I found this book slightly disturbing. It paints a picture of a mess. A formal process that doesn’t work and series of informal processes that rely on who you know rather than what you know. A series of policymakers with no interest in policy making. The author is quite dismissive of this - insisting that this is just human nature and mirrors the dynamics of any other work place. I don’t really care about the ‘who’s shagging who stuff’ but the fact that whole decisions that will affect the entire country will be made on the basis of one upping someone over a personal beef starting from their time at Oxford or crucial information about an MP will be withheld, because the journalist likes them a bit, worries me quite a bit and at times borders full blown corruption. The author doesn’t really understand the gravity of this and almost kind of giddy the whole way through. I don’t mean to be all doom and gloom, politics can definitely be funny sometimes, but people’s lives are seriously affected by this and the apathy towards this bothers me slightly.
The author frequently mentions the dynamic of journalists becoming too close to the people they are reporting and I wonder if this is a similar case here.
That said, in a slightly strange way, I found this book slightly disturbing. It paints a picture of a mess. A formal process that doesn’t work and series of informal processes that rely on who you know rather than what you know. A series of policymakers with no interest in policy making. The author is quite dismissive of this - insisting that this is just human nature and mirrors the dynamics of any other work place. I don’t really care about the ‘who’s shagging who stuff’ but the fact that whole decisions that will affect the entire country will be made on the basis of one upping someone over a personal beef starting from their time at Oxford or crucial information about an MP will be withheld, because the journalist likes them a bit, worries me quite a bit and at times borders full blown corruption. The author doesn’t really understand the gravity of this and almost kind of giddy the whole way through. I don’t mean to be all doom and gloom, politics can definitely be funny sometimes, but people’s lives are seriously affected by this and the apathy towards this bothers me slightly.
The author frequently mentions the dynamic of journalists becoming too close to the people they are reporting and I wonder if this is a similar case here.
May 8, 2020
This is a cracking read. If you’re at all interested in how Westminster (or any kind of people-run system for that matter) really works, this one is for you.
Le Conte begins by essentially giving you a whistle-stop tour of the pubs, the people, the places around SW1 - what drinking in one place means; what gets done where; what it means to be seen somewhere with someone else etc - a brilliant explanation of the complex system that our government is based on.
The book then goes into explaining all different forms of gossip, what is interesting to the public v of public interest, what is gossip v news, why some gossip spreads v that which doesn’t. She also brings to life all the different media outlets which cover this world.
For me, the third quarter of the book was a little slow - too many examples of the types of gossip (I’m actually completely uninterested in gossip, was far more taken by the ‘system’ of it, but then I’m aware I’m a total nerd like that.)
The final quarter was brilliant. She looks at what government might look like without gossip, what power really looks like, and how gossip has changed over the years - fascinating.
Highly recommend this book. Not only is it eye-opening and a brilliant crash course on UK politics, it’s funny, personable and gets you thinking about much more than how countries are run.
Le Conte begins by essentially giving you a whistle-stop tour of the pubs, the people, the places around SW1 - what drinking in one place means; what gets done where; what it means to be seen somewhere with someone else etc - a brilliant explanation of the complex system that our government is based on.
The book then goes into explaining all different forms of gossip, what is interesting to the public v of public interest, what is gossip v news, why some gossip spreads v that which doesn’t. She also brings to life all the different media outlets which cover this world.
For me, the third quarter of the book was a little slow - too many examples of the types of gossip (I’m actually completely uninterested in gossip, was far more taken by the ‘system’ of it, but then I’m aware I’m a total nerd like that.)
The final quarter was brilliant. She looks at what government might look like without gossip, what power really looks like, and how gossip has changed over the years - fascinating.
Highly recommend this book. Not only is it eye-opening and a brilliant crash course on UK politics, it’s funny, personable and gets you thinking about much more than how countries are run.
April 7, 2021
Haven’t you heard is something very different for me, politics is something that I vaguely follow but don’t have a KEEN interest like some of my friends. The book was interesting to find out how information goes through Westmintiser.
To work there as an MP who doesn’t have a certain background it is a minefield, there are rules that aren’t written but aren’t know. Personally, I struggle to think the people in control all come from the same small pool of privileged people, but that is another story I guess. The book covers the different ways information and gossip spreads…there are ways of getting information out without people knowing the true source or the opposite keeping something that really should be a scandal quiet and away from the papers and media.
The book does cover how the internet and social media (especially Twitter) have affected the way people interact with each other and how something online can affect what happens in the chamber.
3* - I think the book may be of interest to some but does get slightly repetitive for me at times.
To work there as an MP who doesn’t have a certain background it is a minefield, there are rules that aren’t written but aren’t know. Personally, I struggle to think the people in control all come from the same small pool of privileged people, but that is another story I guess. The book covers the different ways information and gossip spreads…there are ways of getting information out without people knowing the true source or the opposite keeping something that really should be a scandal quiet and away from the papers and media.
The book does cover how the internet and social media (especially Twitter) have affected the way people interact with each other and how something online can affect what happens in the chamber.
3* - I think the book may be of interest to some but does get slightly repetitive for me at times.
December 31, 2019
Haven't You Heard? is a fascinating insight into the human side of British politics. Focusing on gossip, informal relationships and the very human ways in which these can influence the way the country is run, this is an incredibly insightful read as to how politics really works. All too often the tendency in both journalism and academic work is to focus on politicians either as placements on a political spectrum or worse, to treat them as utterly self-interested - either way ignoring the human dynamics that occur in any workplace but that become especially important in SW1. Offering insight into the real reasons why MPs might rebel on a vote, the way in which a relationship between MPs and journalists can influence what actually gets reported on and how gossip can influence policy-making, this book is readable, salacious and important in equal measures and a must-read for any politics nerd.
November 7, 2020
This was a fun read.
I opened the book expecting it to just be political gossip the whole way through. In hindsight, this was probably naive. Acquiring that much gossip would require a lot of work, and printing would involve burning a lot of bridges! Nonetheless, it's the gossip-y bits I enjoyed the most (especially the naughty bits), and the book is well worth reading for those parts.
Alongside the gossip was analysis of how British politics works. I enjoyed this to some extent, but have read other books along similar veins (e.g. Isabel Hardman's 'Why We Get the Wrong Politicians') and felt the book was less unique on some of these topics. It was fine, but it wasn't personally new to me, in the same way that Simon Danczuk's personal life was.
Overall, it was funny and eye-catching in parts, but others felt like more of a drag. Pretty good, on the whole.
4 / 5
(Disclaimer - I read this book about 3 months ago and my recollections are somewhat hazy).
I opened the book expecting it to just be political gossip the whole way through. In hindsight, this was probably naive. Acquiring that much gossip would require a lot of work, and printing would involve burning a lot of bridges! Nonetheless, it's the gossip-y bits I enjoyed the most (especially the naughty bits), and the book is well worth reading for those parts.
Alongside the gossip was analysis of how British politics works. I enjoyed this to some extent, but have read other books along similar veins (e.g. Isabel Hardman's 'Why We Get the Wrong Politicians') and felt the book was less unique on some of these topics. It was fine, but it wasn't personally new to me, in the same way that Simon Danczuk's personal life was.
Overall, it was funny and eye-catching in parts, but others felt like more of a drag. Pretty good, on the whole.
4 / 5
(Disclaimer - I read this book about 3 months ago and my recollections are somewhat hazy).
April 11, 2020
A fascinating, entertaining, and sometimes terrifying, journey through the informal mechanisms of SW1. Marie Le Conte introduces us to the messy relationships between politicians, advisors, press and public, the ways gossip spreads, and how some ends up as news and other bits don't. Le Conte is a thoughtful guide, who shows us some of the tensions and compromises, and also reminds us that people in Westminster are still people after all. She's also an entertaining guide, and pulls in a lot of amusing anecdotes along the way. This is a great way for people outside the Westminster bubble to get a better idea of what really happens, for better or worse, on the inside.
January 8, 2020
An interesting and insightful tour of the Westminster bubble and the role of gossip in government, perhaps explaining at the same time why Parliament is so dysfunctional, and why we have had to endure three years of chaos since the 2016 referendum. The book is a bit didactic in parts (a perception that may be due to me knowing more about the Westminster bubble than the average reader) and I was hoping for a bit more gossip. Still it is worth reading to get a better understanding of how we are governed (or not as the case maybe).
December 31, 2022
Finishing off the year with this super-out-of-my-comfort-zone read cause why not. As somebody who is up to date on politics and general current affairs and that, but also doesn't know an awful lot about the who's who and what's what, I found this to be a really accessible and interesting read. It lost me at points, but it was still apprope for the average Joe like yours truly and I do like learning stuff. I enjoy MLCs writing on Twitter and her tone translated well to nf book format. It's so clear that she loves Westminster and UK politics and it's sort of infectious.
February 8, 2021
As you’d probably expect from a book based around gossip and reliant on second-hand anecdotes the writing is very informal (which sometimes works but is sometimes a little too conversational rather than using a written style) with a lot of tangents and occasionally almost ‘stream of consciousness’ style. It’s full of titbits and there are a few fun facts (e.g. there are no handshakes amongst MPs in Parliament, who knew?).
July 9, 2022
Un livre qui m'a demandé beaucoup de temps, mais que j'ai trouvé révélateur sur la façon dont la politique anglaise fonctionne. A travers des exemples concrets, l'auteure montre comment le pouvoir fonctionne, et la grande place que tienne les rumeurs et les relations personnelles dans l'accès au pouvoir - et le fait d'y rester. Je peux facilement imaginer des choses similaires arriver dans d'autres pays, et je pense porter à présent un regard différent sur les personnalités politiques.
December 29, 2019
Really fascinating deconstruction of the role gossip plays in the Westminster Bubble from someone who quite clearly loves it but is also able to step back and analyse what impact the system has and what downsides it creates. Also has some fantastic anecdotes (some anonymous, some not) about what it means in practice.
Well worth a read to any political nerd.
Well worth a read to any political nerd.
March 1, 2020
Great book for those interested in how Westminster works. Plenty of scenarios (true and hypothetical) to consider, although I agree with others that the second half of the book was less interesting than the first. This may just have been that, on a personal level, I preferred the "gossip" of the earlier chapters.
June 3, 2020
A very good insight into the fascinating world of the 'Westminster bubble'. Filled with witty humour, gossip and other funny observations, it certainly paints detailed pictures of how news stories about our political establishment are made. Would highly recommend to someone working in and around the halls of government (sadly I am not one).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews