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The Gatekeeper
For eleven years Kate Fall was one of David Cameron’s closest advisors. During some of the most significant political events of our times – the Arab Spring, the financial crash and a European referendum that has changed the face of British politics forever – she sat right outside the door of the Prime Minister’s office, earning herself the title of ‘gatekeeper’. Fall takes us through the Cameron project, from its inception to coalition, reshuffles, political scandals, two general elections and three referendums. She speaks frankly and honestly about the Conservatives’ key players, their project to modernise the party, how the coalition worked (and how it didn’t). Shedding light on the world behind the public façade of politics, she reveals what it is like to be a woman at the heart of the blood, sweat and toil, the victories and regrets, the friendships and fall outs, the chaos and camaraderie. Politics tests any relationship with its conflicting priorities of loyalty, belief, and personal ambition. The Gatekeeper is a very personal portrait of life behind the scenes at the centre of power.
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
336 pages, Paperback
Published March 18, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 8, 2021
Excellent read. Insightful, anecdotal, interestingly structured, to avoid a chronological timeline - and the better for it. Ended up feeling sorry that George Osborne has (at least for now) given up politics. Loved the story about the 'Happy Warrior' toast that was made during Ed Miliband's doomed run to Number 10, and remembering the Ed Stone fiasco made me laugh out loud all over again on a grey January day. If you're interested in politics, or enjoyed The West Wing, this is a recommended read.
December 28, 2020
Kate Fall, the woman at the heart of the Cameron years in government, explains life leading up to, and within Number 10.
Kate is an excellent writer, who explains the inner workings of Number 10 in great detail and with a lot of respect for all the people who you'd not normally know where there. Even her explanations of why the referendum happened were really well explained, so much so I understood Leave voters a little more having read this!
She slips into cattiness a few times, though often hilarious, like every time Sarah Vine is mentioned. There are a few moments of detail that don't have obvious purpose - like mentioning that she has XS underwear. #HumbleBrag, perhaps?
Everything written about David Cameron is in the same way a mother would talk about her favourite son, and so I watched The Thick of It in between chapters just to balance things out a bit..! I do believe though that the Cameron team did want what's best, and truly wanted to make things better.
Overall a surprisingly good read, and I'm glad I picked it up!
Kate is an excellent writer, who explains the inner workings of Number 10 in great detail and with a lot of respect for all the people who you'd not normally know where there. Even her explanations of why the referendum happened were really well explained, so much so I understood Leave voters a little more having read this!
She slips into cattiness a few times, though often hilarious, like every time Sarah Vine is mentioned. There are a few moments of detail that don't have obvious purpose - like mentioning that she has XS underwear. #HumbleBrag, perhaps?
Everything written about David Cameron is in the same way a mother would talk about her favourite son, and so I watched The Thick of It in between chapters just to balance things out a bit..! I do believe though that the Cameron team did want what's best, and truly wanted to make things better.
Overall a surprisingly good read, and I'm glad I picked it up!
August 8, 2021
If you enjoy politics then this book is an absolute must read!! It explains in great detail the twists, turns, pressures, stresses and backstabbing that our politicians go through on a near daily basis.
It starts way back when David Cameron won the Conservative Leadership, through the days of opposition, onto the coalition government with the Lib Dems, into their remarkable victory in 2015 and finally ends with the referendum result. All the time showing and telling us when, what, why they did that action.
Quite simply a brilliant book!
It starts way back when David Cameron won the Conservative Leadership, through the days of opposition, onto the coalition government with the Lib Dems, into their remarkable victory in 2015 and finally ends with the referendum result. All the time showing and telling us when, what, why they did that action.
Quite simply a brilliant book!
May 29, 2022
Kate Fall oli David Cameroni büroo asejuht, mis tähendab, et on vaid üks küsimus, millele tema lugejad vastust ootavad: kuidas pagana pihta ikka suutis Cameron tulla välja millegi nii idiootsega kui konservatiivse partei päästmiseks Brexiti referendumi lubamine. Fall vastabki, vähemalt osaliselt... Ehkki selleni jõudmiseks kulub tal 240 lehekülge muud juttu ning tema vastus põhineb peamiselt kahel argumendil.
Esteks, et brittide suhe Euroopa Liiduga on alati olnud pisut pingeline ning nii laienev kui süvenev eurointeratsioon ei muutnud olukorda brittidele (loe: inglastele) kergemaks, sest suuri põhimõttelisi muudatusi nagu Lissaboni leping ei pandud rahvahääletusele, mida Cameroni euroskeptilised kriitikud nägid loomulikult kui peaministri kõrvalepõiklemist keerulisest küsimusest (Cameron astus küll ametisse pärast Lissaboni ratifitseerimist, aga milleks faktid, kui saab sarjata). Teiseks, et kõik teised parteid lubasid ka.
Mis on natuke selline lasteaia argument: Kalle kallas Katile liiva pähe, nii et ma kallan ka! Aga eks Fall on ka dilemma ees: kuidas õigustada referendumit, mille nad ise välja kutsusid, mille vastu nad töötasid ning mis raamatu kirjutamise aastatel mürgitas konservatiivide partei sees eri leeride suhteid edasi, kuigi rahvahääletusega loodeti teema viimaks ometi vanaema pööningule jalga puhkama saata.
Nii ei muutu need 60 lehekülge Brexitist päris ennastõigustavaks, sest eks ta isegi teab, et päris hea mõte see just ei olnud. Samas ei tule ta kordagi välja selge avaldusega, et oleks pidanud kuidagi teisiti tegema. Nii et pole liha ega kala. Falli lõpulehekülgedel avaldatud optimismile, et ehk hakkab ajalugu kunagi mäletama ka Cameroni valitsuse teisi tegusid nagu finantskriisi järel majanduse ülesehitamine ja geiabielude legaliseerimine ma siiski alla ei kirjutaks. Brexit, Brexit, Brexit. Ah, mis ta tegi midagi muud ka?
Sellest muust räägivad esimesed 240 lehekülge. Kui ainult seda raamatut lugeda, siis jääb mulje, et David Cameron ja George Osborne on jumala saadikud maa peal, inglid ülikonnas, sama head kui vanaema pannkoogid pühapäeva hommikul ja maasikad vahukoorega suveõhtu päikeseloojangul. Isegi mina hakkasin Osborne'i pisukese sümpaatiaga suhtuma, nii et kui Fall poliitikast ära tüdineb, võib ta reklaamindusse tööle minna, töötab küll. Cameroni fänniks ma ometi veel hakanud ei ole.
Falli eeliseks on, et ta on tõesti kõige juures olnud: Cameroni algus opositsioonisaadikuna, kandideerimine erakonna esimeheks ja selle järel üldvalimistel, pärast II maailmasõda Ühendkuningriigi esimese koalitsiooni kokkupanemine ja selle kooshoidmine, majandusküsimused ja Šoti referendum, kabinetimuudatused ning sellega kaasnenud solvumised, teistel valimistel saavutatud ootamatu võit ning saba jalge vahel Downing St 10 majast lahkumine aasta hiljem.
Mõne detaili lisamine paneb kulmu kergitama, aga üldiselt suudab ta narratiivi koos hoida ja lobedalt kirjutamine. Mõeldud on aga see raamat ainult tõsisele briti poliitika fännile, sest allahindlusi lugeja suhtes Fall ei tee. Ma oleksin hea meelega tahtnud näha raamatu alguses nimeregistrit, sest temale võivad Nick, William, Andy ja Bill täiesti selged tutvustused olla, aga mina leidsin end mitmel korral küsimast, et keda ta ikkagi mõtleb. Aga samas ei kirjuta ta teemat päris nii huvitavaks, et käsi sirutuks järgmise Cameroni valitsusest rääkiva raamatu järele.
Esteks, et brittide suhe Euroopa Liiduga on alati olnud pisut pingeline ning nii laienev kui süvenev eurointeratsioon ei muutnud olukorda brittidele (loe: inglastele) kergemaks, sest suuri põhimõttelisi muudatusi nagu Lissaboni leping ei pandud rahvahääletusele, mida Cameroni euroskeptilised kriitikud nägid loomulikult kui peaministri kõrvalepõiklemist keerulisest küsimusest (Cameron astus küll ametisse pärast Lissaboni ratifitseerimist, aga milleks faktid, kui saab sarjata). Teiseks, et kõik teised parteid lubasid ka.
Mis on natuke selline lasteaia argument: Kalle kallas Katile liiva pähe, nii et ma kallan ka! Aga eks Fall on ka dilemma ees: kuidas õigustada referendumit, mille nad ise välja kutsusid, mille vastu nad töötasid ning mis raamatu kirjutamise aastatel mürgitas konservatiivide partei sees eri leeride suhteid edasi, kuigi rahvahääletusega loodeti teema viimaks ometi vanaema pööningule jalga puhkama saata.
Nii ei muutu need 60 lehekülge Brexitist päris ennastõigustavaks, sest eks ta isegi teab, et päris hea mõte see just ei olnud. Samas ei tule ta kordagi välja selge avaldusega, et oleks pidanud kuidagi teisiti tegema. Nii et pole liha ega kala. Falli lõpulehekülgedel avaldatud optimismile, et ehk hakkab ajalugu kunagi mäletama ka Cameroni valitsuse teisi tegusid nagu finantskriisi järel majanduse ülesehitamine ja geiabielude legaliseerimine ma siiski alla ei kirjutaks. Brexit, Brexit, Brexit. Ah, mis ta tegi midagi muud ka?
Sellest muust räägivad esimesed 240 lehekülge. Kui ainult seda raamatut lugeda, siis jääb mulje, et David Cameron ja George Osborne on jumala saadikud maa peal, inglid ülikonnas, sama head kui vanaema pannkoogid pühapäeva hommikul ja maasikad vahukoorega suveõhtu päikeseloojangul. Isegi mina hakkasin Osborne'i pisukese sümpaatiaga suhtuma, nii et kui Fall poliitikast ära tüdineb, võib ta reklaamindusse tööle minna, töötab küll. Cameroni fänniks ma ometi veel hakanud ei ole.
Falli eeliseks on, et ta on tõesti kõige juures olnud: Cameroni algus opositsioonisaadikuna, kandideerimine erakonna esimeheks ja selle järel üldvalimistel, pärast II maailmasõda Ühendkuningriigi esimese koalitsiooni kokkupanemine ja selle kooshoidmine, majandusküsimused ja Šoti referendum, kabinetimuudatused ning sellega kaasnenud solvumised, teistel valimistel saavutatud ootamatu võit ning saba jalge vahel Downing St 10 majast lahkumine aasta hiljem.
Mõne detaili lisamine paneb kulmu kergitama, aga üldiselt suudab ta narratiivi koos hoida ja lobedalt kirjutamine. Mõeldud on aga see raamat ainult tõsisele briti poliitika fännile, sest allahindlusi lugeja suhtes Fall ei tee. Ma oleksin hea meelega tahtnud näha raamatu alguses nimeregistrit, sest temale võivad Nick, William, Andy ja Bill täiesti selged tutvustused olla, aga mina leidsin end mitmel korral küsimast, et keda ta ikkagi mõtleb. Aga samas ei kirjuta ta teemat päris nii huvitavaks, et käsi sirutuks järgmise Cameroni valitsusest rääkiva raamatu järele.
May 25, 2023
This book really made me think, but perhaps not in any way intended by the author. It should be a great book - an account of what went on in the inner circle of a recent UK Prime Minister, written by a key participant who seems to be a rare case of an important political figure without an oversized ego.
It should be a great book, but it isn't. It is competent but strangely bloodless and uninspiring. It fails to convey a sense of what was really happening, or of the genuine personalities of the key participants (with the possible exception of Cameron). I didn't even feel I understood what the author's job was. It's a bit like a journalist's report of a set of facts and impressions that fails to provide insight into why those events are happening or what created those impressions. Like a report of a football match that lists the key events of a game but doesn't tell you what the game was like.
Which brings me back to my opening line. The words in the book are fine, the sentences are good, the paragraphs make sense and convey information, yet somehow my overall impression of the book was that it was vacuous. It is missing something but I can't work out what that is. And it's a lesson to anyone like me vaguely thinking that one day I will write a book. If I can't put my finger on what is wrong with this book then I wouldn't know what extra ingredient I would need to add to make any book I write any better!
The book is consistently interesting, if uncompelling, and it is worth reading. But it is the polar opposite of the books I most admire - those that achieve, through some magical skill on the part of the author, a synthesis that makes the work compelling, even if the subject matter is less intrinsically interesting than that of this book. The author completely lacks this magical skill. And, I suspect, so do I :-(
It should be a great book, but it isn't. It is competent but strangely bloodless and uninspiring. It fails to convey a sense of what was really happening, or of the genuine personalities of the key participants (with the possible exception of Cameron). I didn't even feel I understood what the author's job was. It's a bit like a journalist's report of a set of facts and impressions that fails to provide insight into why those events are happening or what created those impressions. Like a report of a football match that lists the key events of a game but doesn't tell you what the game was like.
Which brings me back to my opening line. The words in the book are fine, the sentences are good, the paragraphs make sense and convey information, yet somehow my overall impression of the book was that it was vacuous. It is missing something but I can't work out what that is. And it's a lesson to anyone like me vaguely thinking that one day I will write a book. If I can't put my finger on what is wrong with this book then I wouldn't know what extra ingredient I would need to add to make any book I write any better!
The book is consistently interesting, if uncompelling, and it is worth reading. But it is the polar opposite of the books I most admire - those that achieve, through some magical skill on the part of the author, a synthesis that makes the work compelling, even if the subject matter is less intrinsically interesting than that of this book. The author completely lacks this magical skill. And, I suspect, so do I :-(
December 31, 2021
Great insight and another book advocating leave but arguing remain
Along with David Cameron’s own memoirs this book by his deputy chief of staff is telling. Both set out the case for the UK to leave the EU but both say remain.
It is a good read there is a lot of real human colour that is never shown on our political leaders and it is not all process.
Like it or not Cameron will be cited by historians as the PM who took the UK out of the EU. Then why did it happen may wait but Kate Fall prepares some of the road. She sets out the negotiation that never was to get a new deal and the arrogance of the EU offering nothing think the UK will stay.
The unreliability of Ms Merkel always ultimately backing the EU not UK. The strategic errors but she is too loyal to call them so.
Read it and few others as this just fills some of the gaps there is a lot more to read to get the full picture of the 2016 Brexit Referendum
Along with David Cameron’s own memoirs this book by his deputy chief of staff is telling. Both set out the case for the UK to leave the EU but both say remain.
It is a good read there is a lot of real human colour that is never shown on our political leaders and it is not all process.
Like it or not Cameron will be cited by historians as the PM who took the UK out of the EU. Then why did it happen may wait but Kate Fall prepares some of the road. She sets out the negotiation that never was to get a new deal and the arrogance of the EU offering nothing think the UK will stay.
The unreliability of Ms Merkel always ultimately backing the EU not UK. The strategic errors but she is too loyal to call them so.
Read it and few others as this just fills some of the gaps there is a lot more to read to get the full picture of the 2016 Brexit Referendum
January 23, 2023
A thought-provoking read from one of David Cameron's close advisors giving an intimate view of the workings of Number 10. For me, it revealed the lack of contact that Cameron had with "normal" people which ultimately led to his mistaken belief that he would win the In/Out referendum. Surrounded by people from the world of politics, there was nobody to point out what the man/women in the street was saying. I was also astonished to read what a tight ship he ran. He came across on the TV as being very laid back but he was ruthless with anyone who rocked the boat.
Although I disagreed with several points she made it was a very enjoyable read and her writing made what could have been rather boring, interesting and engaging.
Although I disagreed with several points she made it was a very enjoyable read and her writing made what could have been rather boring, interesting and engaging.
August 19, 2023
Perhaps it should have been blindingly obvious, but I didn't realise that this book was another account of the David Cameron era, and was expecting more general reflections on being a printer minister's close aide.
As someone whose adult introduction to politics was that era, it was maybe a challenge for this book to tell me anything I hadn't heard before. So it was a pleasant surprise when it not just provided an interesting background to what was going on in the room, by someone with less need for self-justification than the actual politicians. And there were enough extra titbits and anecdotes to make someone who's read several other books on this era engaged and feeling like they got something out of reading it.
As someone whose adult introduction to politics was that era, it was maybe a challenge for this book to tell me anything I hadn't heard before. So it was a pleasant surprise when it not just provided an interesting background to what was going on in the room, by someone with less need for self-justification than the actual politicians. And there were enough extra titbits and anecdotes to make someone who's read several other books on this era engaged and feeling like they got something out of reading it.
December 20, 2022
This is a really disappointing read. Poorly edited, littered with spelling and grammatical mistakes and sycophantic to the extreme. At least equality shines through, as Fall demonstrates that it's not just 'jobs for the boys' - female chums are welcome, however unqualified they are. Self importance reigns supreme, the overuse of 'we' is sickening and it's hard to ascertain what Fall actually did as Deputy Chief of Staff (apart from moan that she didn't see her children, which you'd have thought was her choice...). As much use as a chocolate teapot - or a deputy prime minister, come to that. Avoid.
November 13, 2022
I loved this and found it a well written and insightful view into the inner workings of politics. As British politics gets madder and madder its so interesting to imagine how the Kates of the current government are trying to steady the ship.
That being said, I'm a Labour voter and at times found my self shaking my head/scoffing/rolling my eyes at the lack of introspection and ability to own up to mistakes.
Considering the extent of the fallout I would have liked there to have been more time spent on their thoughts and thinking around brexit.
That being said, I'm a Labour voter and at times found my self shaking my head/scoffing/rolling my eyes at the lack of introspection and ability to own up to mistakes.
Considering the extent of the fallout I would have liked there to have been more time spent on their thoughts and thinking around brexit.
January 2, 2023
While the writing is zippy, the author fails to really dig into the introspection surrounding this particular time in UK politics. A lovingly loyal portrayal of all the major players in the Conservative Party at this time, including Cameron himself, but ultimately lacking in any grit or true insight into how things developed the way they did out of a desire not to lay criticism at the door of colleagues.
September 2, 2023
Interesting as unlike other 'political' memoirs this is more about the admin than the politics. Unswerving loyal to David Cameron through a long friendship the government of his day is described through slightly rose tinted glasses. I find myself sympathetic to the idealism, not to mention trust in the British people described however in 20 pages provides absolute clarity on why the Remain campaign was ever doomed to failure
October 21, 2020
This book was not my cup of tea. I thought this might be in the vein of Becoming or The Prison Doctor, but it wasn't. It read as a pro-David Cameron (understandably since she and David are old friends) about David Cameron's time as Prime Minister. There was the occasional inclusion of the impact this had on Kate Fall but I felt more was needed.
May 28, 2020
A great insight into life behind the famous No.10 door and the commitment needed by everyone involved. The highs and lows and sacrifices made by the Author and her family to support David Cameron through the years of a successful election and the Referendum.
October 4, 2021
Certainly an interesting read, but, perhaps understandably given their friendship, reads as a defence to David Cameron. Not introspective enough.
August 13, 2024
A bit Tory glory leaning for my liking but interesting nonetheless
May 13, 2023
Mixed feelings about this book, hence the middle ground rating.
First, the pace is relentless; there is no real moment to catch your breath, which for me is exhilarating. Kate covers the major topics concerning the Cameron opposition years and premiership in swift style that keeps one engaged throughout. However, there is no real depth to the topics; it feels more breadth than insight into the decision making. There are small pockets of self reflection throughout, mainly towards the end of the book. I would have liked to hear more about Kate’s views on political decisions as opposed to descriptive narrative.
I really would love another book from Kate, now some years on, about her views on whether the Cameron years dislodged our very institute of government and set it on course for years of instability.
First, the pace is relentless; there is no real moment to catch your breath, which for me is exhilarating. Kate covers the major topics concerning the Cameron opposition years and premiership in swift style that keeps one engaged throughout. However, there is no real depth to the topics; it feels more breadth than insight into the decision making. There are small pockets of self reflection throughout, mainly towards the end of the book. I would have liked to hear more about Kate’s views on political decisions as opposed to descriptive narrative.
I really would love another book from Kate, now some years on, about her views on whether the Cameron years dislodged our very institute of government and set it on course for years of instability.
November 2, 2022
This was an interesting look through the eyes of someone at the heart of the Cameron project. Instead of a step by step account and defence of the Cameroons. Kate Fall goes through what it was like at the centre of a project that governed for almost 6 years. If you want a step by step look then read Cameron's biography. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews