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The Great Betrayal
'Very funny' Spectator Book of the Year
'Robust and entertaining' Sunday Times Book of the Year
'Betcha we don't leave.' I wrote that on the evening of 24 June 2016, once the euphoria had passed. A lot of us leavers, despite being elderly and thick, knew. The establishment wouldn't let it happen.
Quite how the establishment stopped us from leaving the European Union, though, we could never have guessed. A mandate which became a process and resulted in the UK being the laughing stock of the world. We might have guessed at the relentless howls of outrage from that extreme block of transgressed remainers, the hostility of the House of Commons, the civil service and the BBC. That was a given, and it all played its part. But beyond our imagination was the readiness of politicians to ignore or subvert the vote, the sheer ineptitude of those charged with negotiating our withdrawal, the spite of the EU and the intercession of that usual thing, events.
The Great Betrayal tells the story of a failed Brexit and a betrayal of the British people, drawn from interviews with those at the very centre of what became, in the end, a surreal charade.
'Robust and entertaining' Sunday Times Book of the Year
'Betcha we don't leave.' I wrote that on the evening of 24 June 2016, once the euphoria had passed. A lot of us leavers, despite being elderly and thick, knew. The establishment wouldn't let it happen.
Quite how the establishment stopped us from leaving the European Union, though, we could never have guessed. A mandate which became a process and resulted in the UK being the laughing stock of the world. We might have guessed at the relentless howls of outrage from that extreme block of transgressed remainers, the hostility of the House of Commons, the civil service and the BBC. That was a given, and it all played its part. But beyond our imagination was the readiness of politicians to ignore or subvert the vote, the sheer ineptitude of those charged with negotiating our withdrawal, the spite of the EU and the intercession of that usual thing, events.
The Great Betrayal tells the story of a failed Brexit and a betrayal of the British people, drawn from interviews with those at the very centre of what became, in the end, a surreal charade.
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
192 pages, Hardcover
Published March 24, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 2, 2022
First things first
I have no dog in this fight, then or now
In fact, as a US citizen it was absolutely fascinating to observe the disastrous process of a nation formerly famous for the very things that were in no way evident during divorce negotiations. Like negotiating. Or diplomacy. The lack of honesty and overwhelming amount of disingenuous bad faith were equally impressive.
My only conclusion is that Brexit may be a result of the worst hangover from empire, ever.
So here we are. The UK has been shown safely off the premises and they can enjoy their new diminished status to their hearts' content.
Still, my schadenfreude cup runneth over. Brexit was a welcome distraction from the sh*tshow that was the 45th presidency in the US so I'll always be a little grateful to the Brits for that. Bread and circuses, right?
Now I'm left wondering what new and disastrously bad ideas our species will come up with
I have no idea who the author of this vaguely amusing and poorly researched homage to bad ideas is, but he seems awfully bitter
I hope he's feeling better now.
I have no dog in this fight, then or now
In fact, as a US citizen it was absolutely fascinating to observe the disastrous process of a nation formerly famous for the very things that were in no way evident during divorce negotiations. Like negotiating. Or diplomacy. The lack of honesty and overwhelming amount of disingenuous bad faith were equally impressive.
My only conclusion is that Brexit may be a result of the worst hangover from empire, ever.
So here we are. The UK has been shown safely off the premises and they can enjoy their new diminished status to their hearts' content.
Still, my schadenfreude cup runneth over. Brexit was a welcome distraction from the sh*tshow that was the 45th presidency in the US so I'll always be a little grateful to the Brits for that. Bread and circuses, right?
Now I'm left wondering what new and disastrously bad ideas our species will come up with
I have no idea who the author of this vaguely amusing and poorly researched homage to bad ideas is, but he seems awfully bitter
I hope he's feeling better now.
noway-josé
July 17, 2019
... a disingenuous, dishonest Brexit polemic: Assuming a new pose as defender of the people, Liddle rages against liberal remainers and the ‘establishment’ – and is as untroubled by facts as by logic
August 14, 2019
Bloody funny and a spot on analysis of what seems to have been going on since the vote - Liddle is a real wordsmith, I often have to look up words I don’t know which he conjures from somewhere - also his judicious and liberal use of the F word seems somehow in place for much of this story. He has an ability to use extreme unlikely juxtaposition to convey meaning and humour - a poor example being “there is a string on T Mays back hidden from the cameras . If u pull it shell say “stability” over and over again and sometimes “certainty” - it is the sheer exuberant random metaphor that he wields that is his originality. The book for me is quite brilliant and seems to be saying in summary that the liberal elite don’t listen and don’t like to be contradicted and they are running things . If you disagree with them ( the Brexit voters) somehow or other they shut you up
Not my best review but a brilliant read
Not my best review but a brilliant read
February 24, 2020
I’ve heard, read or seen everything in this book many times already now but this is written in such a punchy and engaging way that it makes it fun and interesting to read about it all over again. The only criticism - and this is no fault of the book or the author - is that reading it now, even just 7 months after publication, it’s already massively outdated in its central proposition that Brexit is never going to happen. Would love to see an updated version to read Liddle’s viewpoint on subsequent developments.
February 4, 2020
This book was written before Boris Johnson was elected PM of the UK, and the formal leaving of the UK from the EU. So it kind of ends in a negative light, i.e. the belief that the UK will not leave the EU.
For me this book as part of my reading on why/what happened in the UK. The key point in this book to me is that people need to read wide in attempting to understand why things happen. In other words if you only read people who you agree with you will only have your answers reinforced.
For me this book as part of my reading on why/what happened in the UK. The key point in this book to me is that people need to read wide in attempting to understand why things happen. In other words if you only read people who you agree with you will only have your answers reinforced.
January 31, 2021
Found the book lackluster in the beginning, with hints of pettiness (as Liddle includes multiple physical descriptions of people's body shape etc). There was also a lot of hypocrisy in the book but in general it got better. Maybe just because I agree with him that the BBC needs overhauling and the government done a crap job of Brexit.
January 17, 2020
GOOD READ
Nice to see how the whole process was basically destroyed by unrepresentative MPs.
So much for democracy and the majority view. iw.
Nice to see how the whole process was basically destroyed by unrepresentative MPs.
So much for democracy and the majority view. iw.
May 7, 2024
[8 Oct 2020] The first thing to say is - given the recent polarised positions taken by many in British politics and in the British public - that whether you like this book or not will, of course, be bound by your own political leanings. Of course, those who opposed Brexit from the start are highly unlikely to even pick up the volume. The idea therefore that many of these book reviews tell you much about the actual book rather than the ideas that form the content or the personal political perspectives of the reviewer must be suspect.
In my opinion, it is well written, brief, succinct and with just the right amount of context. His thesis that the 'establishment' has set out to thwart the outcome of the 2016 referendum is well explained. He describes recent events with examples to illustrate his point. Whether you agree or not he makes a convincing argument. Interesting the role of Speaker Bercow is not featured much at all, which is surprising as most people who subscribe to his theory believe Bercow was instrumental to the 'Betrayal'. Although as a newspaper columnist his job is to provoke here some of his insults to politicians seem slightly out of place, although of course with Liddle (I suppose) you know what you're getting.
It is a thought provoking book that was published in June 2019 and therefore ends with a 'Brexit has been Betrayed' conclusion. We now know, of course, that following a General Election (whether you agree or not) the public chose a political party that majored on vote for us and we will 'Get Brexit Done' and they did on 31st January 2020. Despite this I thought Liddle's book was a useful explanation of a mainstream view about a major event in British political and public life between 2016-2020.
In my opinion, it is well written, brief, succinct and with just the right amount of context. His thesis that the 'establishment' has set out to thwart the outcome of the 2016 referendum is well explained. He describes recent events with examples to illustrate his point. Whether you agree or not he makes a convincing argument. Interesting the role of Speaker Bercow is not featured much at all, which is surprising as most people who subscribe to his theory believe Bercow was instrumental to the 'Betrayal'. Although as a newspaper columnist his job is to provoke here some of his insults to politicians seem slightly out of place, although of course with Liddle (I suppose) you know what you're getting.
It is a thought provoking book that was published in June 2019 and therefore ends with a 'Brexit has been Betrayed' conclusion. We now know, of course, that following a General Election (whether you agree or not) the public chose a political party that majored on vote for us and we will 'Get Brexit Done' and they did on 31st January 2020. Despite this I thought Liddle's book was a useful explanation of a mainstream view about a major event in British political and public life between 2016-2020.
February 15, 2020
hilarious take on Brexit, lots of humour but also sadness at the situation were in, Teresa may is probably the worst prime minister we have ever had, she died a thousand deaths and still clung on to complete her and the country's humiliation. the fact that the conservatives are still in power is a testament to how useless labour have been. could things have gone differently if the remainers hadn't labelled everyone who voted leave racist, thick, uneducated, right-wing, Nazi etc. , every time they did they seemed to embolden the leave cause, how the libdems thought they were going to gain a load of seats by insulting people is beyond me, and we must not forget the remainers who branded old leavers as colonial racists and cheered that they would all be dead before the next referendum-truly sickening, our votes matter, our views matter, our lives matter. how all the main party's were explicitly pro-remain and a majority of the voters are pro-leave shows a fundamental disconnect, there is an urgent need for reform, the future of our democracy depends upon it.
November 29, 2023
Like Brexit itself, this book clearly divides opinion. For those in favour, it provides a not wholly unrecognisable account of the surprising (yet narrow) victory for the pro-Brexit side in the referendum, and the several reasons why all sorts of people (not just the deplorables) voted in favour; and then the difficulties which followed, not least the fact that Parliament was overwhelmingly in favour of Remain, but compounded by various decisions made by Mrs May's administrations - especially the massive own-goal of throwing away her majority in the election of 2017 leaving her at the mercy of two implacably opposed sides of her own party. The account ends around mid-2019, before Boris Johnson's manoeuvres which ended that Parliament and culminated in the "Get Brexit Done" election.
The jacket states that the author is a member of the Social Democratic Party, which describes itself as a "patriotic, economically left-leaning and culturally traditional party" - I'm thinking Labour, ca. 1975.
The jacket states that the author is a member of the Social Democratic Party, which describes itself as a "patriotic, economically left-leaning and culturally traditional party" - I'm thinking Labour, ca. 1975.
February 22, 2026
Even as a Remainer, I enjoyed parts of this book and found the writing accessible and engaging. The book makes some good arguments about Brexit, the campaign and aftermath. There were, however, repeated, outrageously egregious misrepresentations of fact throughout that make it difficult to take the book seriously.
In one section, he attributes a shocking quote about the EU wanting to “shoot the UK in the foot” to Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's Brexit negotiator. I was shocked, so googled it. Literally zero evidence he said that. Zero.
Later, he claims that the last British social attitudes survey shows an overwhelming majority of the British public don’t support gay couples adopting, which is overwhelmingly untrue. The majority of Britons do support gay couples adopting and the last time that wasn’t the case was 1983, a full 36 years before this book was published.
A similarly silly claim is made about the ‘sanctity and longevity of marriage’ and ‘doing the right thing,’ whatever that’s supposed to mean in relation to same sex marriage. However, support for same sex marriage is incredibly high in the UK and has been for decades. The global LGBT rankings places the UK ninth for support of same sex marriage (around 85%) so this is another nonsense claim from the author.
Still, the book is an easy read and helped with some research I was doing, even if I did have to fact check and then disregard some of it.
In one section, he attributes a shocking quote about the EU wanting to “shoot the UK in the foot” to Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's Brexit negotiator. I was shocked, so googled it. Literally zero evidence he said that. Zero.
Later, he claims that the last British social attitudes survey shows an overwhelming majority of the British public don’t support gay couples adopting, which is overwhelmingly untrue. The majority of Britons do support gay couples adopting and the last time that wasn’t the case was 1983, a full 36 years before this book was published.
A similarly silly claim is made about the ‘sanctity and longevity of marriage’ and ‘doing the right thing,’ whatever that’s supposed to mean in relation to same sex marriage. However, support for same sex marriage is incredibly high in the UK and has been for decades. The global LGBT rankings places the UK ninth for support of same sex marriage (around 85%) so this is another nonsense claim from the author.
Still, the book is an easy read and helped with some research I was doing, even if I did have to fact check and then disregard some of it.
March 16, 2021
You'd have to be gob-smackingly stupid to take anything in this book seriously. One of the most unpleasant people in Britain, writing a book directly to the people he despises and looks down on (well documented in his earlier work): the british working class. With the message that is one of them. Fights in their corner. It would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad. And if some of these deluded people didn't actually take it seriously. Jesus wept.
September 13, 2023
On the money....but not the euro 😏
September 9, 2021
Quick read this one! I'm quite a fan of Rod Liddle, however I'm one of those metropolitan liberal 'elites' who voted remain in the referendum. It didn't stop me from wanting to read this though.
The first part of the book deals with the response of the middle-class BBC London establishment to those ghastly northern leave voters who 'Didn't know what they were voting for', 'were thick and racist', etc.
Second half of the book details the Tory leadership race after Cameron's departure, Theresa May and the Brexit negotiations, Chequers, Northern Ireland, etc.
Looking forward to reading Rod's next book now.
The first part of the book deals with the response of the middle-class BBC London establishment to those ghastly northern leave voters who 'Didn't know what they were voting for', 'were thick and racist', etc.
Second half of the book details the Tory leadership race after Cameron's departure, Theresa May and the Brexit negotiations, Chequers, Northern Ireland, etc.
Looking forward to reading Rod's next book now.
January 23, 2020
Interesting to read some of the reviews of this book. Not a particularly balanced view of Brexit but always good to read another side of the argument.
July 16, 2019
On occasions in the Spectator or Sunday Times the words are tabloid style headline grabbing and more about author Rod Liddle than the matter in hand. His otherwise professional and usually apposite posts on Face Book again tend to exploit the necessary brevity to deliberately provoke... but I guess they created as promotion for his writings and performances. In 'Betrayal' however his reporting is spot on...seriously factual, fair, very little point scoring...I would recommend- request - suggest- be you leaver or remainer - grab a copy of this book. Pronto...as they say in parts of Europe. For 40 years I ran my own business in the UK (and still know how to do the EFTA / EU / WTO /IMO and other export or VAT/ Tax forms.) For the past 15 years I have been lecturing around the far east to banks government depts., stock exchanges and others on the export value of intellectual property. I note the book is dedicated to Mr Liddle's daughter...I have four offspring...two live and work in Europe, one in the UK, and one whilst in the UK mostly involved in business that operate globally.There are major opportunities ahead for them all. In my opinion rather more if we are free of the crumbling and technically bankrupt EC/EU...but I respect the opinion of remainers - IF and when they present facts and not biased fiction. Remain in and there will also be opportunity. This brilliant book will help you make some considered choices. Fair and factual...and darn good read.
July 26, 2019
Pushing at an open door
I love anything that Rod Liddle writes. This book felt more like a collection of essays that have kind of been stuck together to form a linear narrative. Quite typical of Rods writing, lots of funny anecdotes, and analysis that cuts to the core of the hypocrisy of our governing elite. The message is simple; the British have been let down by their leaders and we should be very pissed off, not just with the whole Brexit bullshit but also with the decisions that have led to Britain being a very different place to where many of us grew up. Read it, lap it up and take it in. Not sure if it will convert anyone in favour of remain but for those who believe in Brexit (or just simple democracy) it shall reaffirm that we are on the right side of history.
I love anything that Rod Liddle writes. This book felt more like a collection of essays that have kind of been stuck together to form a linear narrative. Quite typical of Rods writing, lots of funny anecdotes, and analysis that cuts to the core of the hypocrisy of our governing elite. The message is simple; the British have been let down by their leaders and we should be very pissed off, not just with the whole Brexit bullshit but also with the decisions that have led to Britain being a very different place to where many of us grew up. Read it, lap it up and take it in. Not sure if it will convert anyone in favour of remain but for those who believe in Brexit (or just simple democracy) it shall reaffirm that we are on the right side of history.
October 14, 2019
Rod Liddle has written an entertaining and even-handed potted history of Brexit. It’s depressing to read that the shysters are still in charge, though. I was going to suggest this book should be required reading for hardline Remainers, but that’s futile because they have become fanatics and like all fanatics, they believe the end justifies the means, with honourable behaviour being the first thing they abandon in their self-righteous pursuit of their goals. The hypocrisy of the self-appointed ‘liberal elite’ makes me quite sick. Indeed, when the time comes for the final few, principled veteran MPs (Frank Field, for instance) to retire, will there will be any politicians with a shred of integrity left at all?
January 1, 2020
Hmmm... Not a particularly balanced look at Brexit.
August 12, 2019
A good summary of the mess we’re in over Brexit
Naive though I may be I still hope the author is wrong that Brexit will never happen. Not because I think Britain will be better in the long term if it does (though I do) but because the shock to democracy if the cabal of arrogant left/liberal elitists forming the British establishment succeed in overturning the biggest vote in our history — the only one that many of us feel we ever “won” — could prove catastrophic. I’m not taking his bet though. They are beyond reason.
Naive though I may be I still hope the author is wrong that Brexit will never happen. Not because I think Britain will be better in the long term if it does (though I do) but because the shock to democracy if the cabal of arrogant left/liberal elitists forming the British establishment succeed in overturning the biggest vote in our history — the only one that many of us feel we ever “won” — could prove catastrophic. I’m not taking his bet though. They are beyond reason.
December 8, 2019
Insightful
An insight into the journey that British politics has taken in the last three years. A salient point for me was the mis-match in MPs opinions regarding brexit and the proportional views of the uk population. Also it is important to realise when and if you are in an echo chamber of opinion and media. Do you keep all channels of opinion and media open? Or do you just listen to and digest the views of tho who, you already know, you agree with.
An insight into the journey that British politics has taken in the last three years. A salient point for me was the mis-match in MPs opinions regarding brexit and the proportional views of the uk population. Also it is important to realise when and if you are in an echo chamber of opinion and media. Do you keep all channels of opinion and media open? Or do you just listen to and digest the views of tho who, you already know, you agree with.
September 7, 2019
A Must Read Book
Shows the total betrayal of the common people and the utter disregard that the so called elite have for them.
Shows the total betrayal of the common people and the utter disregard that the so called elite have for them.
September 9, 2019
Clarity at long last!
Rod Liddell has managed to write a lively and very enjoyable account of the impasse we have seen with the supposed attempt to achieve Brexit. A great read.
Rod Liddell has managed to write a lively and very enjoyable account of the impasse we have seen with the supposed attempt to achieve Brexit. A great read.
September 24, 2019
Brilliant
Enjoyed this so much read in half a day. Just shows how out of touch these liberal elites are from us ordinary folk.
Enjoyed this so much read in half a day. Just shows how out of touch these liberal elites are from us ordinary folk.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews