All In It Together: England in the Early 21st Century

by Alwyn Turner

'He writes with a tremendous sense of fun. The result is a rare thing: not just a serious work of contemporary history, but an unashamed, 24-carat hoot' - Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times

'Up there with the best ... Reading it is almost like an out-of-body experience' - Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday

Perhaps the Brexit vote shouldn't have come as such a shock. In Cool Britannia's long hangover, every pillar of British society seemed to sink into a mire of its own making, from the Church to the banks to the great offices of state. Even the BBC lost its reassuring dignity (though the private schools were doing rather well: their former pupils were everywhere ). We were losing our faith in the system. How did it come to this?

Weaving politics and popular culture into a mesmerising tapestry, historian Alwyn Turner tells the definitive story of the Blair, Brown and Cameron years. Some details may trigger a laugh of recognition (the spectre of bird flu; the electoral machinations of Robert Kilroy-Silk). Others are so surreal you could be forgiven for blocking them out first time around (did Peter Mandelson really enlist a Candomblé witch doctor to curse Gordon Brown's press secretary?). The deepest patterns, however, only reveal themselves at a certain distance. Through the Iraq War and the 2008 crash, the rebirth of light entertainment and the rise of the 'problematic', Turner shows how the crisis in the soul of a nation played out in its daily dramas and nightly distractions.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, British Literature

384 pages, Hardcover

Published June 17, 2021

Reviews

[Simon Howard · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a recently published history of UK politics in the years 2000 to (roughly) 2015, told mostly from the perspective of the newspaper coverage of the time. Turner tries to place the politics in a context though plentiful references to popular media.

I was surprised that I found this a little bit of a slog. For example, Turner devotes many more pages to Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown than to the 2005 London bombings, which is a curious approach. For all the strange choices, Turner never reaches broader conclusion nor draws out the hidden themes behind the history of the times. As a result, this ended up feeling like an eclectic collection of stories with little unifying thread, and I was left wondering what point (if any) Turner was trying to make.

Another example of how this is just a bit odd in its choice of subject matter and coherence: there’s a big picture on the cover of Lily Allen, by far the most prominent female face. She is mentioned only once in passing in the book, in a list of pop stars who went to private schools. How strange!

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

You’ve got to love a serious history book that devotes almost whole chapter to Roy Chubby Brown and seems to revel in the opportunity to quote some of his more outré jokes.
I do like the histories that Alwyn Turner writes as they’re always wide ranging, full of interesting memories and quotes for the time being looked at. I felt, however, that this was a bit rushed and a bit too contemporary to give an objective analysis of our recent past. We’re still suffering and dealing with the consequences of 2008, I feel, for definite conclusions to be drawn about what happened, how we dealt with it and what lessons have been learned. And what can we say about Blair, Brown and Cameron that we know for certain to be true? The ink’s still drying on their biographies and autobiographies and I’m sure we haven’t heard or seen the last of any of them, unfortunately.
Saying that, this is an entertaining read even if it is more “Modern Studies” than “History”. While there’s a feeling that we are being given light sketches of events as opposed to in depth analysis, that’s no bad thing. I don’t want to read about politics, politics and politics, and Turner ensures that we don’t. I did like some of his postulations about how Britain is changing as we speak and the featuring of Chubby Brown was used to demonstrate how working class culture is increasingly being trampled, ignored and disdained in mainstream media at the expense of middle class and public school cultural mores. As Turner points out, Jimmy Carr says a lot worse stuff than Chubby and isn’t beyond the pale. A posh voice has become a ticket to influence again, and “class” is an area that tolerance seems to have forgotten when society punches downward. We’ve made big media and social strides with regards to race, equality and sexual preference, but God, don’t we hate that white, tattooed bloke in the battered Transit van flying a St George’s Cross? Let’s ignore him.
Of course, as Turner points out, Chubby and the guy in the van can’t be ignored. Doing so promotes the rise of populism, the antithesis of the liberal elite, and delivers such illiberal, middle class horrors as Brexit. You have to laugh and Turner ensures that you do.
There’s some big events covered that are difficult to yet put in context. How much did the ‘phone hacking scandal change our attitude to the media and change the way they conduct themselves? Did MP’s learn anything from the expenses scandal? Did police, local councils and social workers change their ways following the sexual abuse uncovered in Rotherham and elsewhere? As social media took over much of the culture via Twitter and Facebook did they actually change anything? I feel the jury is still out on all these questions.
As I finished the book I felt that this was a primer for more weighty works to come that will examine the decade and years before the Brexit referendum. Unfortunately my preference would be for Alwyn Turner to write them, and I felt that maybe he’d just jumped the gun with this volume. He’s still my favourite historian of modern times and resultantly I’d recommend this and all his other books. I feel I’ll be re-reading most of them in twenty years and mumbling to myself “Ah, those were the days”, because of the overall warm tone and content that is captured within them.

[Aaron Watling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turner is great at what I would call “history as gossip”; which is to say that his writing style seems so effortless and anecdotal, partly aided by the recency of this books subject matter, that it feels more like a historian-minded friend pulling out some of their best tales and yarns of late 20th early 21st century politics (there are real people I have in mind when saying that!) . Consequently, I found this a very entertaining read with plenty of moments where I caught myself audibly reacting to titbits and stories throughout. Now as entertaining and interesting as it is, I was slightly disappointed as it seems as though there isn’t much of an ending but rather the book just stops. It felt to me as if there was no real point or conclusion to the book. Nonetheless a fun read.

[Bookthesp1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noughties Unplugged......
Having read and loved Turners previous books on the 70s, 80s and 90s I was excited to get this book but initially at least it seems like Turners publishers have taken Tory austerity to heart- it’s quite short compared to A Classless Society with less pages and less words per page. It’s as though Turner didn’t want to say the book was about the whole of the noughties up to the referendum of 2016 - hence the subtitle about England in the 21st Century. Indeed maybe Turner doesn’t like the phrase noughties or couldn’t think of a suitable epithet. It did feel sleight and I wanted something weighty and profound. However- its a minor gripe.!
The text itself is jam packed with cultural references from TV and books. There is less on social media than I might expect but it’s cleverly constructed stuff even if it makes one feel nostalgic for a pre Covid Britain.

The chapters are seemingly themed. The opening chapter on Faith is a clever start and Turners prose is neither tricksy or dull. He is especially good on pen portraits of Blair, Cameron and Farage along with Ian Duncan smith - IDS ( In Deep Shit) and many others with razor sharp anecdotes and well planted humour. Chapters cover grooming scandals and Saville: the fortunes of left and right in politics and class divisions exacerbated by divisions over Europe. There is no particular chronology but this isn’t a weakness and it’s a strength that he picks out underpinning themes. The penultimate chapter on Europe is particularly good. The book is also full of telling and clever footnotes. A handy bibliography with a long list of TV references establish its popular culture credentials.

I enjoyed this whiz through the long noughties and 2016 is indeed a watershed with that referendum. I just wish Turner had written a longer book.

[Dropbear123 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

Covers England from 2000-2016, ending with the leadup to the Brexit referendum. Mainly about politics and culture. On the politics it isn't too in-depth and focuses more on how ordinary people felt about the big issues of the day (NHS, Iraq War, the 2008 Recession, the various paedophile and grooming gang scandals etc) and how people reacted to the politicians. On culture the book is mainly about various forms of entertainment, mainly TV plus some books, and what they said about the public's relation to the politics of the time.

The main themes through the book are - The growing remoteness of the political elite combined with the growing democratisation of culture through the internet, social media and more choices of entertainment that were less cohesive than in the past (where almost everyone watched the same TV channels like the BBC or ITV). A huge rise in the distrust of various institutions/authorities like the BBC, politicians, newspapers due to to the coverups, lies and failures. Eventually the remoteness of the elites and distrust of the institutions led to the EU becoming the focus of discontent against these problems that culminated in Brexit. I haven't read any of the author's other works, (but I enjoyed this one enough that I might in the future) but in terms of personal political bias the book favours the right a bit, at least regarding issues like political correctness/woke, Britain's history and the silliness of the far left.

I enjoyed it and would recommend it if you happen to be English (there are a lot of name drops and references to TV shows that might not be as relevant if you aren't) and want to read about the early 2000s. For the sake of personal knowledge and bias, I was a child/teenager through these years and wasn't interested in politics yet so I can't really remember that much to say the book is wrong.

[Jeff Howells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alwyn Turner has written a further instalment in his series of books covering the cultural, social & political history of Britain in the late 20th century (he’s done the 70s, 80s and 90s and this covers - the early 21st century broadly up-to the Brexit vote).
I’d consider Turner up there with David Kynaston & Dominic Sandbrook as one of the top historians of post war Britain. What’s impressive about him is that he’s even handed yet with a side helping of sly humour.
Most commentators may look to demonise some of his subjects (most notably Nigel Farage, UKIP & Nick Griffiths & the BNP) yet Turner tries to explain, dispassionately, their attraction and popularity.
There are some very perceptive chapters - particularly the one on grooming gangs and the unveiling of Jimmy Saville as a sexual predator.
The epilogue is also spot on - essentially Britain is now a place where the views of the general public arguably hold more sway than ever - social media and key referendums have ensured that. However the public may not always give the governing classes & establishment the decisions they expect, or want. Power to the People? God help us.

[Shane Goodyear · Rating 3 out of 5]

* Great book, almost expected more from it though
* About England and at times Scotland from the year 1999- 2016
* A number of scandals lead the public to loose faith in institutions of this country
* Politics: Iraq War, all leaders of the party at the same/ acting fake and expenses scandal
* Church, newspapers, bbc, police: abuse cover ups jimmy savile Rochester and the Asian gang masters sexual abusing young white girls and the police doing nothing about it
* Institutions that came out unscathed despite problems, armed forces, NHS
* Intresting discussion on social media and the democratisation of it giving people the power
* People vs the experts
* Interesting conversation on comedy and how the private educated dominate it in the media, while people like chubby brown don’t, even though jokes are similar
* Lower middle class and upper working class feel left out of the conversation culture vs politics

[Ipswichblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of Alwyn Turner’s books on the 70s, 80s and 90s and always enjoyed them. This was an easy read and still enjoyable but slightly different from the earlier books. Turner has always been very straightforward regarding politicians giving a very balanced view across the political spectrum. Unfortunately Turner comes across as a huge fan boy of Nigel Farage and continually praises him and can see nothing wrong with the man’s awful racist views. It’s quite a coincidence to be reading this at the current time when Farage is praising Putin and blaming the EU and NATO for his invasion of Ukraine when the previous time he said this in 2014 is discussed in the book.

[Leon Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful thematic account of England at the start of the 21st century, a country that became increasingly ill at ease with itself and its trust in institutions as the period progessed.

The author makes astute comments about the appeal of authenticity in our politicians, and how support dissolves as that authenticity is questioned (usually when they attain power and the challenges that brings).

From a personal perspective, and having lived through the period, I do think there is a lack of emphasis given to the rise of social media only really gaining any focus in the epilogue, but that is being somewhat picky.

Overall a thoroughly informative and readable book. Thank you.

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent if not spectacular telling of British history essentially from Blair's rise to power until the eve of the Brexit referendum. I appreciated the attempt balance tackling issues by themes rather than just chronologically, although I feel the emphasis on politics and its reporting in the press limit to book both in scope and depth. Having previously read 'A History of Modern Britain' by Andrew Marr, this one felt like it would function best as a compliment to that one for anyone wanting to delve into the relevant period.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make no mistake this was an enjoyable book to read, but it could have covered a wider range of topics, instead veering too much into the political situations. A lot of interesting information was in the epilogue which merited its own chapter almost. It would have also been interesting if Brexit had been included. Apart from being a slight lopsided read though, the information is well written and easy to follow, and for anyone who saw everything on the news it’s a fascinating insight.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting political account of recent history, which was a good read for me, as someone who came of age in the middle of the era covered. However, I was expecting a broader perspective, and found it heavy on the politics. I do like politics, so this wasn't tragic, but I would have liked a broader, more cultural account.

[Malcolm Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting & thorough account of life in Britain in the early part of the C21st.

Turner covers all aspects of life and gives a fascinating insight of life in this country; there is a lot of politics but also he covers the eccentrics and less desirable elements too.

An absorbing and enlightening read.

[Adam Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perceptive and engaging history that takes a fresh look on a time that seems like only yesterday and another world.

Turner weaves together politics, pop culture, and technological changes to weave together a new take on a turbulent time.

[Raggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a really interesting read. It's actually rather strange reading a history book for a time you have actually lived through. There are bits in there that I remember, others that I'd forgotten until I read it.

[Nick Harriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last in the excellent series of books covering the decades from the 70s onwards. While the thinest volume despite covering 16 years (albeit very focussed on the first 10) compared to 10, it is as entertaining and interesting as the others.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent analysis of the noughties combining astute political commentary with a cultural review of the trends and preoccupations of the decade. I particularly enjoyed the chapter comparing attitudes to Jimmy Carr and Roy Chubby Brown.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern modern history - GREEEAT!

[Neil]

interesting and well worth a read.

[Lyell Tweed · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine, very broad, not making any particularly interesting new points.

[Josie Sawtell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good history book, most definitely better than history textbooks I read in school.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished my exploration of the decades with this and I really enjoyed it.

I'm glad it finished on a high. Perfect balance of politics and societal history.

[Kiri Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging but pretty standard account of 21st-century Britain. Didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, but provides a well-written record of events that's sure to interest anyone who wants to learn about this country in a particular era.