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The Prime Ministers We Never Had: Success and Failure from Butler to Corbyn
BOOK OF THE YEAR, The Times, Guardian and ProspectWas Harold Wilson a bigger figure than Denis Healey? Was John Major more 'prime ministerial' than Michael Heseltine? Would David Miliband have become prime minister if it were not for his brother Ed? Would Ed have become prime minister if it were not for David? How close did Jeremy Corbyn come to being prime minister? In this piercing and original study, journalist and commentator Steve Richards looks at eleven prime ministers we never had, examining what made each of these illustrious figures unique and why they failed to make the final leap to the very top. Combining astute insights into the demands of leadership with compelling historical analysis, this fascinating exploration of failure and success sheds new light on some of the most compelling characters in British public life.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
February 4, 2024
An absorbing and enjoyable book on those who made it to a high position in [British] politics but fell at the final hurdle to become prime minister.
Steve Richards, who has a long, well-respected and insightful, career in political comment and journalism, provides an examination of each character's career path, their strengths, weaknesses and, very importantly the circumstances at the time, and how others saw their political viewpoints and potential. He uses a criteria that has each of our names being seen at the point[s] in time in their careers. In many cases this as party leader, but certainly not all, with many failing in leadership contests (e.g., Michael Portillo and David Miliband).
Each of the "PMs we never had" sections was very enjoyable, with balanced and fair analysis and comment. The use of sources, both first and secondary, notably contemporary reports, tv interviews and author interviews, is good. I found much that I did not know and - for the latter names - a fair amount I had forgotten, or indeed was unaware of. All the sections are strong, but I particularly enjoyed those on Butler, Jenkins, Castle, Healey and Kinnock. Another of the interesting areas is where the author draws similarities and differences to others in how they were seen as potential PMs, their circumstances or ambition and timing.
The notes at the end of the book provide links and books used. I was very pleased to see in the Jenkins chapter, one of my recent favourite political books, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
by Giles Radice, included.
My copy was the Atlantic Books paperback, published in 2022 (the first edition is the Atlantic Books' 2021 hardback). There are 21 black & white and colour photos.
Those featuring are: Rab Butler - labelled in the 1950s and early 1960s as the original prime minister we never had; Roy Jenkins; Barbara Castle; Denis Healey; Neil Kinnock; Michael Heseltine; Michael Portillo; Ken Clarke; the Miliband brothers, Ed and David; and Jeremy Corbyn.
4.5 stars rounded down.
Steve Richards, who has a long, well-respected and insightful, career in political comment and journalism, provides an examination of each character's career path, their strengths, weaknesses and, very importantly the circumstances at the time, and how others saw their political viewpoints and potential. He uses a criteria that has each of our names being seen at the point[s] in time in their careers. In many cases this as party leader, but certainly not all, with many failing in leadership contests (e.g., Michael Portillo and David Miliband).
Each of the "PMs we never had" sections was very enjoyable, with balanced and fair analysis and comment. The use of sources, both first and secondary, notably contemporary reports, tv interviews and author interviews, is good. I found much that I did not know and - for the latter names - a fair amount I had forgotten, or indeed was unaware of. All the sections are strong, but I particularly enjoyed those on Butler, Jenkins, Castle, Healey and Kinnock. Another of the interesting areas is where the author draws similarities and differences to others in how they were seen as potential PMs, their circumstances or ambition and timing.
The notes at the end of the book provide links and books used. I was very pleased to see in the Jenkins chapter, one of my recent favourite political books, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
by Giles Radice, included. My copy was the Atlantic Books paperback, published in 2022 (the first edition is the Atlantic Books' 2021 hardback). There are 21 black & white and colour photos.
Those featuring are: Rab Butler - labelled in the 1950s and early 1960s as the original prime minister we never had; Roy Jenkins; Barbara Castle; Denis Healey; Neil Kinnock; Michael Heseltine; Michael Portillo; Ken Clarke; the Miliband brothers, Ed and David; and Jeremy Corbyn.
4.5 stars rounded down.
January 1, 2022
Really enjoyed this, a good selection for my first read of 2022. Richards combines analysis with biography, measured against a consistent set of criteria, to provide the reader with an insight into what was not and yet could have been, and look at the careers - or non-careers - of those who would be Prime Minister.
The material was well-defined, with an anecdotal style combined with incisive evaluation to understand why these individuals were viewed as potential Prime Ministers, and why they were never able to shake the ‘potential’ part of the title.
Looking with equal verve at both Labour and Conservative politicians, the author provides both mini biographies of those in question, whilst also shedding light on those who did achieve the ultimate goal, providing an interesting insight into the role of Prime Minister itself and its requirements.
The material was well-defined, with an anecdotal style combined with incisive evaluation to understand why these individuals were viewed as potential Prime Ministers, and why they were never able to shake the ‘potential’ part of the title.
Looking with equal verve at both Labour and Conservative politicians, the author provides both mini biographies of those in question, whilst also shedding light on those who did achieve the ultimate goal, providing an interesting insight into the role of Prime Minister itself and its requirements.
August 7, 2024
Really enjoyable read. Very engaging writing, and really interesting too.
I liked how Richards assessed characters from all views and political leanings without much bias.
His analysis came across as fair and measured.
Would definitely recommend to anyone interested.
I liked how Richards assessed characters from all views and political leanings without much bias.
His analysis came across as fair and measured.
Would definitely recommend to anyone interested.
May 26, 2025
This was a well-researched and balanced (I felt) discussion of ten or so British politicians who never made it to Prime Minister. An interesting subject, the reasons why explored in some detail, and I certainly learned plenty about several important political figures prior to my reaching the age of majority - stimulus for further reading perchance. I also thought Richards' explanations for who he chose to include and not include were fair and reasoned. So, overall, a gem of a punt.
January 22, 2022
I don’t usually read politics books; not from lack of interest but because that interest is largely satisfied through radio, TV and podcasts. This book was a Christmas present though, and an excellent choice because I found its insightful and revealing analysis of eleven politicians who never quite made it to the top of the grassy pole completely engaging. Steve Richards is a highly regarded political journalist and brings his journalistic nous and brio to this collection of fascinating character studies. The eleven nearly men and women he features are Rab Butler (the original prime minister we never had), Roy Jenkins, Barbara Castle, Denis Healey, Neil Kinnock, Michael Heseltine, Michael Portillo, Ken Clarke, the Milliband brothers and Jeremy Corbyn.
August 21, 2023
An excellent chronicle of some of the twentieth century’s top politicians who were forever waiting in the wings. Though I wasn’t as familiar with the likes of Barbara Castle compared to Portillo or Corbyn, this book is pitched perfectly to inform whether one thinks they know about a figure already or not. It was especially interesting to read about those politicians of recent years (e.g. the Millibands), as so much is covered here that either didn’t make the news or that I’d completely forgotten about their time close to the very top.
November 30, 2022
The Prime Ministers We Never Had. A study into recent history in British politics. Asking the key question as to why certain political figures failed to get the top job of Prime Minister.
Over the past few years my interest in politics has increased substantially. It’s always been an interest but I wanted to understand more of the machinations and importantly the history.
This book covers from the 1930’s and the Conservative Rab Butler, up to Labours Jeremy Corbyn in 2019. The idea of the PM’s that never were is quite interesting, plenty of what ifs to consider. The book doesn’t just focus on leaders of the Opposition that failed to win an election, it also addresses internal party politics and failed leadership contests.
The book addresses why each political figure is included, how close they came and what caused them to lose out on the top spot. It also draws on key events at the time. This helps get a sense of the political landscape during history.
Steve Richards, the author of the book I feel handles this in a fair and unbiased fashion. His picks for PMs we never had are clearly reasoned and chosen from either side of the political spectrum. He also defends both sides and makes a case as to why they could have been good PMs.
If you have an interest in British politics and history, this makes for an intriguing read. The what ifs asked don’t lead to outlandish conclusions. It all seems sensible and plausible.
Over the past few years my interest in politics has increased substantially. It’s always been an interest but I wanted to understand more of the machinations and importantly the history.
This book covers from the 1930’s and the Conservative Rab Butler, up to Labours Jeremy Corbyn in 2019. The idea of the PM’s that never were is quite interesting, plenty of what ifs to consider. The book doesn’t just focus on leaders of the Opposition that failed to win an election, it also addresses internal party politics and failed leadership contests.
The book addresses why each political figure is included, how close they came and what caused them to lose out on the top spot. It also draws on key events at the time. This helps get a sense of the political landscape during history.
Steve Richards, the author of the book I feel handles this in a fair and unbiased fashion. His picks for PMs we never had are clearly reasoned and chosen from either side of the political spectrum. He also defends both sides and makes a case as to why they could have been good PMs.
If you have an interest in British politics and history, this makes for an intriguing read. The what ifs asked don’t lead to outlandish conclusions. It all seems sensible and plausible.
March 31, 2022
Excellent read. Liked the chapters from the 70s and 80s the most as there were lots of characters i didn't know about. Didn't think the Barbara Castle chapter needed to be structured around a comparison with Thatcher just because they're both women.
January 5, 2022
Very much “why they didn’t” rather “what if they had”.
Steve Richard’s’ anecdotal style makes it a very easy read whilst still packing in information and substance.
Steve Richard’s’ anecdotal style makes it a very easy read whilst still packing in information and substance.
February 17, 2022
surprisingly good and insightful, even managed to be rather fair and sympathetic to Jeremy Corbyn
September 1, 2025
A good, interesting read, giving a profile of the leading politicians as well the subject of the chapter. It appears that being a cabinet minister that does things will make you enemies in the party and ensures you won’t get to be party leader and maybe Prime Minister.
For the Labour politicians the hostile right wing press remains a consistent threat, hence Blair’s courting of Murdoch.
Well written and informative, only minor issue being that a number of case studies give the same issues.
For the Labour politicians the hostile right wing press remains a consistent threat, hence Blair’s courting of Murdoch.
Well written and informative, only minor issue being that a number of case studies give the same issues.
July 4, 2023
Entertaining and thoughtfully written. Highlights are Roy Jenkins casually forming a new party, the Miliband family drama, and Michael Portillo's journey from Thatcher devotee to train nerd extraordinaire. Would recommend no matter your political persuasion.
My one criticism was Hesletine, Portillo, and Clarke all in a row felt a tad repetitive/John Major centric.
My one criticism was Hesletine, Portillo, and Clarke all in a row felt a tad repetitive/John Major centric.
July 9, 2024
Very readable analysis of what it takes to lead a UK political party and, more importantly, why some leaders then never take the next step and become prime minister. It was only Rab Butler that I couldn’t personally remember but his was probably the most interesting story. From Roy Jenkins to Jeremy Corbyn the rest of the characters were part of the political background to my life. Consequently it was fascinating to read about the decisions and intriguing that accompanied their journeys.
September 13, 2022
What Prime Ministers could the UK have had? What made them potential leaders and what stopped them from getting to their ultimate goal? These are the questions explored in depth in this book.
The book is divided into chapters that centre on particular figures from the post-war era up to the present day (bar a few years). The figures talked about are; Rab Butler, Denis Healy, Roy Jenkins, Neil Kinnock, Barbara Castle, Ken Clarke, Michael Heseltine, Michael Portillo, the Miliband brothers and Jeremy Corbyn.
I felt the author’s unique contributions to this book were their interesting in-person encounters with many of the book’s subjects, their casual observations about the behaviours of these actors and their shrewd observations about trends in modern British politics. The latter in particular included some observations so well made that I have even had to re-examine some of my own preconceptions. The author stated that in British politics we often see what we want to see. He may be right about that.
What did get in the way of the would-be leaders getting to their goal? The reasons seem to be many and varied. Often the figures concerned made their name as maverick and reformist cabinet ministers. The reputations as such were double edged swords. They did often raise their public profiles but sometimes at the expense of making enemies of MPs who had ideological objections to such reforms. Timing was also a factor which worked against their successes that never were, for example one leadership challenge passed off for a later one.
Confidence, or lack thereof to be more precise, also played into these would-be leaders not becoming leaders. Some of those leaders simply didn’t have the ambition needed to take them over the top, but others were consciously preoccupied by baggage they felt they had past and present. Baggage for potential leaders is weight that can easily make them lose their momentum. Ken Clarke for instance was proudly European in a party getting evermore Eurosceptic. Jeremy Corbyn was constantly put in the position where he had felt the need to in some ways explain or atone for his past.
Ultimately, while I enjoyed this book I felt that there was something missing. The author purposefully made this book to focus on why these figures did not become Prime Ministers. But by doing this exclusively he left out perhaps the most intriguing question to be answered; what would they have been like as Prime Ministers?
I accept that answering that question would have been answering a hypothetical which is hardly definitive. However, this is arguably an odd omission given that the “what if” element in the title and aim of this book is in large part it’s main spark of interest to potential readers. I found that it was easier to fill in the blanks on this question with those potential leaders who were determinedly reformist cabinet ministers, since their policy fixations help provide valuable clues. Occasionally, such as in the Ken Clarke chapter the author took time to explain away public misconceptions about particular figures. This was useful in making clear points about their world views.
Overall, I believe this was a good book. However, ironically given the subject matter, it missed glaring opportunities to be a great one.
The book is divided into chapters that centre on particular figures from the post-war era up to the present day (bar a few years). The figures talked about are; Rab Butler, Denis Healy, Roy Jenkins, Neil Kinnock, Barbara Castle, Ken Clarke, Michael Heseltine, Michael Portillo, the Miliband brothers and Jeremy Corbyn.
I felt the author’s unique contributions to this book were their interesting in-person encounters with many of the book’s subjects, their casual observations about the behaviours of these actors and their shrewd observations about trends in modern British politics. The latter in particular included some observations so well made that I have even had to re-examine some of my own preconceptions. The author stated that in British politics we often see what we want to see. He may be right about that.
What did get in the way of the would-be leaders getting to their goal? The reasons seem to be many and varied. Often the figures concerned made their name as maverick and reformist cabinet ministers. The reputations as such were double edged swords. They did often raise their public profiles but sometimes at the expense of making enemies of MPs who had ideological objections to such reforms. Timing was also a factor which worked against their successes that never were, for example one leadership challenge passed off for a later one.
Confidence, or lack thereof to be more precise, also played into these would-be leaders not becoming leaders. Some of those leaders simply didn’t have the ambition needed to take them over the top, but others were consciously preoccupied by baggage they felt they had past and present. Baggage for potential leaders is weight that can easily make them lose their momentum. Ken Clarke for instance was proudly European in a party getting evermore Eurosceptic. Jeremy Corbyn was constantly put in the position where he had felt the need to in some ways explain or atone for his past.
Ultimately, while I enjoyed this book I felt that there was something missing. The author purposefully made this book to focus on why these figures did not become Prime Ministers. But by doing this exclusively he left out perhaps the most intriguing question to be answered; what would they have been like as Prime Ministers?
I accept that answering that question would have been answering a hypothetical which is hardly definitive. However, this is arguably an odd omission given that the “what if” element in the title and aim of this book is in large part it’s main spark of interest to potential readers. I found that it was easier to fill in the blanks on this question with those potential leaders who were determinedly reformist cabinet ministers, since their policy fixations help provide valuable clues. Occasionally, such as in the Ken Clarke chapter the author took time to explain away public misconceptions about particular figures. This was useful in making clear points about their world views.
Overall, I believe this was a good book. However, ironically given the subject matter, it missed glaring opportunities to be a great one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2021
An entertaining and thoughtful read. Roberts knows modern politics and is able to blend his expertise with an interesting romp through post war Westminster politics.
The angle, looking at those who were touted for the top job but never achieved it, allows for a lot more insight than I would have expected. I actually found it much more interesting and revealing than books charting the PMS we did get.
The choices are absolutely fascinating and although no doubt many would quibble with who made or didn’t make the short list (I would have liked to see John Smith, but I understand why he’s omitted) there are a great range of characters, from Rab Butler to Jeremy Corbyn. All decades are covered, a good mix of Labour and Conservative (and SDP!), and I’m so pleased the likes of Healy, Kinnock, Heseltine and David Miliband get the coverage they deserve.
Roberts’ treatment of the men (and woman) under the spotlight in this book is sympathetic, with no obvious political bias. There were some annoyances, which is why it earns 4 rather than 5 stars. I was a little frustrated that Barbara Castle’s chapter felt like one long comparison with Margaret Thatcher. A few times I felt Ken Clarke was reduced to a jolly stereotype, although Roberts did an excellent job of making clear his considerable strengths too.
The analysis is fascinating. The role of the media in reducing some great political heavyweights to cliches is highlighted, as is the worrying tendency for people to get to the ‘top job’ because (rather than despite) their having little front bench experience. I wouldn’t agree with Roberts’ suggestion of introducing presidential style elections in the UK, but in posing the question he raises some interesting issues.
All in all, a very worthwhile read. I enjoyed it, I learned a lot, and I reevaluated my opinions.
The angle, looking at those who were touted for the top job but never achieved it, allows for a lot more insight than I would have expected. I actually found it much more interesting and revealing than books charting the PMS we did get.
The choices are absolutely fascinating and although no doubt many would quibble with who made or didn’t make the short list (I would have liked to see John Smith, but I understand why he’s omitted) there are a great range of characters, from Rab Butler to Jeremy Corbyn. All decades are covered, a good mix of Labour and Conservative (and SDP!), and I’m so pleased the likes of Healy, Kinnock, Heseltine and David Miliband get the coverage they deserve.
Roberts’ treatment of the men (and woman) under the spotlight in this book is sympathetic, with no obvious political bias. There were some annoyances, which is why it earns 4 rather than 5 stars. I was a little frustrated that Barbara Castle’s chapter felt like one long comparison with Margaret Thatcher. A few times I felt Ken Clarke was reduced to a jolly stereotype, although Roberts did an excellent job of making clear his considerable strengths too.
The analysis is fascinating. The role of the media in reducing some great political heavyweights to cliches is highlighted, as is the worrying tendency for people to get to the ‘top job’ because (rather than despite) their having little front bench experience. I wouldn’t agree with Roberts’ suggestion of introducing presidential style elections in the UK, but in posing the question he raises some interesting issues.
All in all, a very worthwhile read. I enjoyed it, I learned a lot, and I reevaluated my opinions.
September 22, 2021
This is a well-written and well-argued series of essays (based on unscripted TV lectures) of ten post-Second World War British politicians who might have been Prime Minister, but did not. One can quibble about some of the suggestions (David Miliband, for example) but Steve Richards makes a convincing argument about each of them. His analyses of their strengths and weaknesses are fair and reasonable, backed up with interesting detail.
Similar to his book on Prime Ministers, the narrative can meander at times and there is some degree of repetition. But the overall presentation is good and the concluding summary is excellent.
I detect more conviction in the accounts of Labour Party figures, particularly the Milibands, than in those of Conservative politicians. Moreover, given its catastrophic effect on left and left-of-centre politics (and the UK as a whole), Richards is arguably generous to Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. But these are matters of opinion and overall, Richards does a good job in summarising the careers of a disparate selection of political personalities.
Similar to his book on Prime Ministers, the narrative can meander at times and there is some degree of repetition. But the overall presentation is good and the concluding summary is excellent.
I detect more conviction in the accounts of Labour Party figures, particularly the Milibands, than in those of Conservative politicians. Moreover, given its catastrophic effect on left and left-of-centre politics (and the UK as a whole), Richards is arguably generous to Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. But these are matters of opinion and overall, Richards does a good job in summarising the careers of a disparate selection of political personalities.
March 27, 2022
2022 52 Book Challenge - 30) Audiobook is narrated by the author
I thought this book was generally good. I found it interesting and informative, but overall, it felt quite wooly. As I probably should have expected from the title, it does rely on the authors opinions of why these certain people didn't manage to become Prime Minister, and some of the reasons were wishy-washy.
I thought that the chapter in regards to the Milliband brothers was very interesting and how the two brothers represented Blair and Brown for a new generation.
I did not like the chapter regarding Barbara Castle. The author literally said in the introduction that he'd shoehorned her into the book because he'd been told that he had to include a woman and Castle was the closest a woman got without actually becoming Prime Minister, despite the fact that the author never believed that she would have been Prime Minister. He then spends her entire chapter comparing her to Thatcher and how she fell short. It was just a really disappointing chapter to listen to.
I thought this book was generally good. I found it interesting and informative, but overall, it felt quite wooly. As I probably should have expected from the title, it does rely on the authors opinions of why these certain people didn't manage to become Prime Minister, and some of the reasons were wishy-washy.
I thought that the chapter in regards to the Milliband brothers was very interesting and how the two brothers represented Blair and Brown for a new generation.
I did not like the chapter regarding Barbara Castle. The author literally said in the introduction that he'd shoehorned her into the book because he'd been told that he had to include a woman and Castle was the closest a woman got without actually becoming Prime Minister, despite the fact that the author never believed that she would have been Prime Minister. He then spends her entire chapter comparing her to Thatcher and how she fell short. It was just a really disappointing chapter to listen to.
June 18, 2024
An interesting look at the people who never quite made it to the very top in politics and an attempt to work out why.
I found the Healey/Foot/Kinnock section particularly good, and it made me look at Foot's time as leader of the Labour Party in a different light. I found the structure of the Barbara Castle section a little annoying - too much time spent comparing her to Thatcher to the extent that it almost became more about Thatcher than Castle.
I never quite understood the appeal of Roy Jenkins, and this does nothing to change my mind. Hesseltine and Ken Clarke were far more interesting characters!
There are some useful comparisons and conclusions, but it felt repetitive at times, both within and between chapters, and particularly in the introduction and conclusion. And the author had nothing much to say about the element of luck and chance that allows one capable person to rise to the top and another to miss out. An enjoyable read but not overly thought-provoking.
I found the Healey/Foot/Kinnock section particularly good, and it made me look at Foot's time as leader of the Labour Party in a different light. I found the structure of the Barbara Castle section a little annoying - too much time spent comparing her to Thatcher to the extent that it almost became more about Thatcher than Castle.
I never quite understood the appeal of Roy Jenkins, and this does nothing to change my mind. Hesseltine and Ken Clarke were far more interesting characters!
There are some useful comparisons and conclusions, but it felt repetitive at times, both within and between chapters, and particularly in the introduction and conclusion. And the author had nothing much to say about the element of luck and chance that allows one capable person to rise to the top and another to miss out. An enjoyable read but not overly thought-provoking.
November 21, 2022
An interesting way of looking at people in politics. Learned a lot and Richards has a good way of writing. However, he’s incredibly biased to the left so you have to see past that.
May 3, 2024
Boring and contrived
May 10, 2024
I enjoyed this book, I think there is sometimes more to be learnt reflecting on the outcomes of the near misses rather than the successful leaders. Alot of these characters had the same strengths and weakness as PMs.
Rab Butler
- He didn't become an PM partly because when the opportunity arose he was outmanouvered by his opponent Macmillen. He also had enough time in government as a reformer to make enemies
Roy Jenkins
- Similar to Rab he was in government for a long time making effective changes as a reformer in Labour government. However he was not on the labour side when it moved towards the Foots meaning he left to set up a new party which was as good a time as any but ultimately proved a failure
Dennis Healy
- Again a much longer serving minister he was unable to escape the 'betrayal' seen by many during his time as Labour chancellor in the 1970s.
Barbara Castle
- Another of the Labour crop in the 1970s (maybe due to weak premiership) she was similar as having experience and being close to Wilson. She succeded in some departments Transport but proved unsuccessful at reforming the unions (which tbf no one really was until Thatcher). She failed due to the failure of those reforms and probably a bit of good old chauvinism.
Michael Hestletine
- I got the idea that this book was started with him in mind. He was a very effective reformer/minister who had an idea of his ideology in opposition to Thatherism. Also actually seemed like a decent guy with the inner city redevelopment. His main issues were timing (he left cabinet over an obscure helicopter company) and therfore being seen as a leader in waiting for too long. Also in taking down thatcher he meant that he was never.going to get the pro thatcher votes. He was also bad at building coalitions with fellow MPs.
Michael Portillo
- Actually one of the more interesting characters in politics. He was a Thatcherite in the 90s predicted for PM although weaker than alot of the other candidates in this book. "The sas say who dares wins, we will dare and we will win" was from his slightly eccentric speech. After he lost his seat in 97 he became much more supportive of the state and also revealed he had been a homosexual. The book states (not saying which) led him to be deselected by the right and essentially end his career as a BBC presenter.
Ken Clarke
- Another late 90s PM contender. He was a good administrator, ruthless we he needed to be and massively pro EU. The last one probably proved his failure due to his inability to get support from grassroots who were now becoming strident EU opponents. He was clearly ambitious but did not have the right timing.
David Miliband
- Was seen as a GB replacement. I think it was clear that toppling GB would not have led to his premiership bur probably could have done more to have been a loyalist. With the leadership contest in 2010 he lost to his brother who might have been the weaker politican but stood on a much better platform. The drama of an inter family contest was interesting if sad.
Ed Miliband
The more successful brother did come close in 2015, in fact in hindsight he was ahead of his time on policy, much more imaginative than the Osboure/Cameron government, however his inability to communicate (just) lost him his shot at becoming Labour leader.
Jeremy Corbyn
Potentially the most interesting case study. He won due to a democratisation of the leadership contest and then nearly won due to the imploding of the tories. I think overall the events hid what were the large weaknesses of his regime. Namely the split of the Labour Party, the fact he would have had to move the British electorate so far left and his weakness as a leader given he had little to no experience of it.
I think the takeaways from this book were generally to be PM you need to be both ruthlessly focused on it, enough of a politican and most importantly have events fall your way. There is a question about whether aiming for PM leads to bad policy making and being flexible leads to a more winning approach.
Finally one element that was overlooked was if the process of choosing the leaders of the party have led to weaker candidates . It does in my opinion feel that way as the membership has decreased to a more narrow bunch leads to an activists favourite rather than the electoral winner.
One final point was the book does cover the ideas however the author only hints at his views. It is difficult to say to what extent free markets lead to Prosperity and atomisation of the public service is good or bad but I feel like this was slightly overlooked. Or maybe that's unfair given the length thay book would have had to been.
Rab Butler
- He didn't become an PM partly because when the opportunity arose he was outmanouvered by his opponent Macmillen. He also had enough time in government as a reformer to make enemies
Roy Jenkins
- Similar to Rab he was in government for a long time making effective changes as a reformer in Labour government. However he was not on the labour side when it moved towards the Foots meaning he left to set up a new party which was as good a time as any but ultimately proved a failure
Dennis Healy
- Again a much longer serving minister he was unable to escape the 'betrayal' seen by many during his time as Labour chancellor in the 1970s.
Barbara Castle
- Another of the Labour crop in the 1970s (maybe due to weak premiership) she was similar as having experience and being close to Wilson. She succeded in some departments Transport but proved unsuccessful at reforming the unions (which tbf no one really was until Thatcher). She failed due to the failure of those reforms and probably a bit of good old chauvinism.
Michael Hestletine
- I got the idea that this book was started with him in mind. He was a very effective reformer/minister who had an idea of his ideology in opposition to Thatherism. Also actually seemed like a decent guy with the inner city redevelopment. His main issues were timing (he left cabinet over an obscure helicopter company) and therfore being seen as a leader in waiting for too long. Also in taking down thatcher he meant that he was never.going to get the pro thatcher votes. He was also bad at building coalitions with fellow MPs.
Michael Portillo
- Actually one of the more interesting characters in politics. He was a Thatcherite in the 90s predicted for PM although weaker than alot of the other candidates in this book. "The sas say who dares wins, we will dare and we will win" was from his slightly eccentric speech. After he lost his seat in 97 he became much more supportive of the state and also revealed he had been a homosexual. The book states (not saying which) led him to be deselected by the right and essentially end his career as a BBC presenter.
Ken Clarke
- Another late 90s PM contender. He was a good administrator, ruthless we he needed to be and massively pro EU. The last one probably proved his failure due to his inability to get support from grassroots who were now becoming strident EU opponents. He was clearly ambitious but did not have the right timing.
David Miliband
- Was seen as a GB replacement. I think it was clear that toppling GB would not have led to his premiership bur probably could have done more to have been a loyalist. With the leadership contest in 2010 he lost to his brother who might have been the weaker politican but stood on a much better platform. The drama of an inter family contest was interesting if sad.
Ed Miliband
The more successful brother did come close in 2015, in fact in hindsight he was ahead of his time on policy, much more imaginative than the Osboure/Cameron government, however his inability to communicate (just) lost him his shot at becoming Labour leader.
Jeremy Corbyn
Potentially the most interesting case study. He won due to a democratisation of the leadership contest and then nearly won due to the imploding of the tories. I think overall the events hid what were the large weaknesses of his regime. Namely the split of the Labour Party, the fact he would have had to move the British electorate so far left and his weakness as a leader given he had little to no experience of it.
I think the takeaways from this book were generally to be PM you need to be both ruthlessly focused on it, enough of a politican and most importantly have events fall your way. There is a question about whether aiming for PM leads to bad policy making and being flexible leads to a more winning approach.
Finally one element that was overlooked was if the process of choosing the leaders of the party have led to weaker candidates . It does in my opinion feel that way as the membership has decreased to a more narrow bunch leads to an activists favourite rather than the electoral winner.
One final point was the book does cover the ideas however the author only hints at his views. It is difficult to say to what extent free markets lead to Prosperity and atomisation of the public service is good or bad but I feel like this was slightly overlooked. Or maybe that's unfair given the length thay book would have had to been.
June 30, 2024
In the 2010 Labour Party leadership election, Ed Miliband defeated David Miliband with 50.7 percent of the vote compared with 49.3 percent. My grandmother voted for Ed Miliband. Why? Because he was the 'better-looking brother'.
There are a lot of 'what ifs' in politics. I do not know how many others voted for the same reasons as my grandmother. I hope not many! But what if David Miliband won the leadership election, and then the 2015 General Election? There would also have been no Brexit referendum. The country would be a very different place.
Would David Miliband have won the 2015 General Election? Perceptions can lead to misconceptions. David Cameron dressed like Tony Blair - in white shirts often without a tie. Was Cameron moving his party to the left? No.
I think that Ed Miliband's fundamental problem was not effectively refuting the narrative that Labour spending was a consequence not the cause of the deficit. What would David Miliband have done? In a leaked speech that he would have made if he had won the leadership contest, he planned to argue 'George Osborne says we are in denial about the deficit. Because he wants us to be. So let's not be. It is a test'.
The question that Richards is trying to answer is the what-ifs. Who are the prime ministers we never had? There are two conditions: they must have been regarded at some point as a serious candidate for prime minister, and must have had a serious chance of making the jump. Although Hugh Gaitskell and John Smith qualify for this criteria, they died prematurely. They are not included because of this.
There were some potential prime ministers that I knew a lot about: the Miliband brothers, Corbyn, Kinnock, some that I was aware of: Healey, Jenkins, Heseltine, Portillo, and some that I knew little about: Butler and Castle. Each chapter links to the next but I read it in a completely random order.
Perception is important. It is easy to forget that these individuals were seen as potential prime ministers. The Sun dubbed Kinnock the 'Welsh windbag' but officials were so confident that he would be prime minister that they cleared the desks of government ministers; Ed Miliband was twenty points ahead in the polls for lots of his leadership; Jeremy Corbyn achieved the biggest swing in the vote in a post-war election.
A question that I had is how important is the Party Leader? Jim Callaghan had referred in a private conversation with his adviser Bernard Donoghue to an unstoppable 'sea change' moving in Thatcher's direction. I think that the 2024 election is also a 'sea change'. The Conservatives have been in office for fourteen years, and nothing works! But I also think that this is a necessary but not sufficient condition. In 1992 and 2015, people had enough of the Conservatives but they were not willing to vote for the Labour Party.
There are a lot of 'what ifs' in politics. I do not know how many others voted for the same reasons as my grandmother. I hope not many! But what if David Miliband won the leadership election, and then the 2015 General Election? There would also have been no Brexit referendum. The country would be a very different place.
Would David Miliband have won the 2015 General Election? Perceptions can lead to misconceptions. David Cameron dressed like Tony Blair - in white shirts often without a tie. Was Cameron moving his party to the left? No.
I think that Ed Miliband's fundamental problem was not effectively refuting the narrative that Labour spending was a consequence not the cause of the deficit. What would David Miliband have done? In a leaked speech that he would have made if he had won the leadership contest, he planned to argue 'George Osborne says we are in denial about the deficit. Because he wants us to be. So let's not be. It is a test'.
The question that Richards is trying to answer is the what-ifs. Who are the prime ministers we never had? There are two conditions: they must have been regarded at some point as a serious candidate for prime minister, and must have had a serious chance of making the jump. Although Hugh Gaitskell and John Smith qualify for this criteria, they died prematurely. They are not included because of this.
There were some potential prime ministers that I knew a lot about: the Miliband brothers, Corbyn, Kinnock, some that I was aware of: Healey, Jenkins, Heseltine, Portillo, and some that I knew little about: Butler and Castle. Each chapter links to the next but I read it in a completely random order.
Perception is important. It is easy to forget that these individuals were seen as potential prime ministers. The Sun dubbed Kinnock the 'Welsh windbag' but officials were so confident that he would be prime minister that they cleared the desks of government ministers; Ed Miliband was twenty points ahead in the polls for lots of his leadership; Jeremy Corbyn achieved the biggest swing in the vote in a post-war election.
A question that I had is how important is the Party Leader? Jim Callaghan had referred in a private conversation with his adviser Bernard Donoghue to an unstoppable 'sea change' moving in Thatcher's direction. I think that the 2024 election is also a 'sea change'. The Conservatives have been in office for fourteen years, and nothing works! But I also think that this is a necessary but not sufficient condition. In 1992 and 2015, people had enough of the Conservatives but they were not willing to vote for the Labour Party.
February 12, 2023
This is pure catnip for political history nerds. As the title suggests, the veteran journalist Steve Richards has sought to assemble the 11 most significant political heavyweights from the post-WWII era who, for whatever reason, were never fortunate enough to become Prime Minister of Britain.
This book is less a series of biographies of Richards’ chosen figures than it is a comparative political analysis of why some party leaders make it to Number 10 while others, no matter how talented or visionary they might be, fall short of attaining the PM’s office. If there are common themes as to why these ‘nearly men’ (and Barbara Castle) didn’t accede to the premiership, then the issue of Europe is pronounced, with Richards showing how Britain’s relationship with the E.E.C./E.U. hobbled the ambitions of many of his subjects (particularly the Tory examples). Other recurring shortcomings for an aspiring Prime Minister – from Rab Butler through to Denis Healy, Michael Heseltine, and Ken Clarke – are a failure to cultivate a band of devoted followers within their own parliamentary party, or falling out with their party’s grassroots supporters (no matter how demented and divorced from reality the latter group might be).
Steve Richards is acutely fair-minded in his political analysis, but never at the expense of his prose becoming leaden or dull. He is also more than willing to challenge conventional political wisdom (his chapter on the gregarious Ken Clarke show the arch-Thatcherite economics lying behind his amiable public persona).
“The Prime Ministers We Never Had” reframes the perception of these leaders, taking what some would see as ‘nearly men’ or has-beens and portraying them as sympathetic, sometimes even tragic, figures. This is especially true in the cases of Neil Kinnock (who Richards describes as “unceasingly brave”) and the Miliband brothers (“two of the most decent people in British politics destroyed each other”). But by outlining the talents of the immediate post-war generations, what “The Prime Ministers We Never Had” also does (perhaps inadvertently, perhaps not) is to serve as a reminder of how shallow and insubstantial so much of the current political leadership class in Britain appear in comparison to their forerunners.
This book is less a series of biographies of Richards’ chosen figures than it is a comparative political analysis of why some party leaders make it to Number 10 while others, no matter how talented or visionary they might be, fall short of attaining the PM’s office. If there are common themes as to why these ‘nearly men’ (and Barbara Castle) didn’t accede to the premiership, then the issue of Europe is pronounced, with Richards showing how Britain’s relationship with the E.E.C./E.U. hobbled the ambitions of many of his subjects (particularly the Tory examples). Other recurring shortcomings for an aspiring Prime Minister – from Rab Butler through to Denis Healy, Michael Heseltine, and Ken Clarke – are a failure to cultivate a band of devoted followers within their own parliamentary party, or falling out with their party’s grassroots supporters (no matter how demented and divorced from reality the latter group might be).
Steve Richards is acutely fair-minded in his political analysis, but never at the expense of his prose becoming leaden or dull. He is also more than willing to challenge conventional political wisdom (his chapter on the gregarious Ken Clarke show the arch-Thatcherite economics lying behind his amiable public persona).
“The Prime Ministers We Never Had” reframes the perception of these leaders, taking what some would see as ‘nearly men’ or has-beens and portraying them as sympathetic, sometimes even tragic, figures. This is especially true in the cases of Neil Kinnock (who Richards describes as “unceasingly brave”) and the Miliband brothers (“two of the most decent people in British politics destroyed each other”). But by outlining the talents of the immediate post-war generations, what “The Prime Ministers We Never Had” also does (perhaps inadvertently, perhaps not) is to serve as a reminder of how shallow and insubstantial so much of the current political leadership class in Britain appear in comparison to their forerunners.
March 15, 2022
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is British political history as Plutarch might have written it: these short vignettes are Lives, not histories, composed with an eye for character rather than a magnifying glass for detail, and expressed in conversational prose seasoned with anecdotes and peppered with quips. Like Plutarch, Richards is interested in drawing wider lessons from the lives he studies. While he tells these politicians’ stories very well, he never shies away from evaluating their actions, and asking why they never made it to the very top of British politics. Often, his conclusions are sapid: that the enemies you make to be a successful minister will make prevent you from ascending higher; that few things are more dangerous than being hailed as your party’s next leader before the vacancy arises; and that you can never stray too far from your party’s beliefs, regardless of how deeply held your own convictions are, if you aspire to lead it. And while Richards emulates Plutarch in many admirable respects, I trust his historical accuracy is better.
Occasionally, Richards seems to go too far in ascribing the failure to reach 10 Downing Street to some hamartia as distinct from the simple fact that, when only about 20 people hold the office every century, many qualified candidates must lose out. But he is generally cognisant of these circumstances, and he is nevertheless persuasive in his analysis of his subjects’ failings. This is, then, an interesting historical appraisal of some prominent British politicians. A better reason to read it, however, is that it is a delightful romp through some of the most colourful lives that British politics has to offer.
Occasionally, Richards seems to go too far in ascribing the failure to reach 10 Downing Street to some hamartia as distinct from the simple fact that, when only about 20 people hold the office every century, many qualified candidates must lose out. But he is generally cognisant of these circumstances, and he is nevertheless persuasive in his analysis of his subjects’ failings. This is, then, an interesting historical appraisal of some prominent British politicians. A better reason to read it, however, is that it is a delightful romp through some of the most colourful lives that British politics has to offer.
June 27, 2025
An interesting take on the challenges of political leadership. Enjoyed his previous book on British PMs, and this one looks at those who got close but never made it - and hypothesises some of the reasons why.
It's an engaging read that flows well and has lots of behind-the-scenes insights that shed new light on events that you may have only experienced at a surface level in the news headlines.
It covers 11 politicians, 7 Labour and 4 Conservative, from Rab Butler up to Jeremy Corbyn, and explores their political careers and stories and the moments when they came close to power and why they might not have made it.
I enjoyed how the author weaved in ideas about how politics and people work together in the UK, and there are some interesting insights that could be applied to many other areas from a leadership and influence point of view.
Though it's written from a mostly objective point of view, it's not hard to read between the lines and see where the author's political views might lie. Some of the leaders who got a torrid time from the right-wing British press (e.g. Kinnock and Ed Miliband) get a more sympathetic write-up here.
This didn't bother me, but worth noting if your own politics are far away from that. I also found the style a little inconsistent at times, switching from factual reporting to speculative hypothesising to slightly gossipy opinionising frequently. Not too jarring, but just made me pause a few times to work out what point he was trying to make.
Overall, a super interesting read, enjoyed it a lot.
It's an engaging read that flows well and has lots of behind-the-scenes insights that shed new light on events that you may have only experienced at a surface level in the news headlines.
It covers 11 politicians, 7 Labour and 4 Conservative, from Rab Butler up to Jeremy Corbyn, and explores their political careers and stories and the moments when they came close to power and why they might not have made it.
I enjoyed how the author weaved in ideas about how politics and people work together in the UK, and there are some interesting insights that could be applied to many other areas from a leadership and influence point of view.
Though it's written from a mostly objective point of view, it's not hard to read between the lines and see where the author's political views might lie. Some of the leaders who got a torrid time from the right-wing British press (e.g. Kinnock and Ed Miliband) get a more sympathetic write-up here.
This didn't bother me, but worth noting if your own politics are far away from that. I also found the style a little inconsistent at times, switching from factual reporting to speculative hypothesising to slightly gossipy opinionising frequently. Not too jarring, but just made me pause a few times to work out what point he was trying to make.
Overall, a super interesting read, enjoyed it a lot.
December 19, 2023
Overall, a fascinating, albeit somewhat depressing, read.
From Rab Butler to Jeremy Corbyn, the author takes the reader through a series of British politicians who came within spitting distance of being Prime Minister and considers what prevented them from reaching 10 Downing Street.
Rab Butler was before my time. I recognised Barbara Castle’s name but knew next to nothing about her. I knew slightly more about Roy Jenkins, and Dennis Healey was a barely more than a bushy-eyebrowed memory from my school years. Reading about them, I felt as though I was on a trip down memory lane, revisiting half forgotten events and names from my childhood.
By the time we got to Neil Kinnock, Michael Heseltine, Michael Portillo, and Ken Clarke, I was on more familiar ground. Then we moved onto more recent history with the Milliband brothers and Jeremy Corbyn.
Even with the more recent and familiar names, there was much to discover about missed opportunities, twists of fate, and bad timing which robbed our protagonists of their chances.
At the end of the book, I’m left wondering how history look if one or more of these politicians had made it to the top, and why ruthlessness rather than dedication or ability seems to be what is required to reach number 10.
From Rab Butler to Jeremy Corbyn, the author takes the reader through a series of British politicians who came within spitting distance of being Prime Minister and considers what prevented them from reaching 10 Downing Street.
Rab Butler was before my time. I recognised Barbara Castle’s name but knew next to nothing about her. I knew slightly more about Roy Jenkins, and Dennis Healey was a barely more than a bushy-eyebrowed memory from my school years. Reading about them, I felt as though I was on a trip down memory lane, revisiting half forgotten events and names from my childhood.
By the time we got to Neil Kinnock, Michael Heseltine, Michael Portillo, and Ken Clarke, I was on more familiar ground. Then we moved onto more recent history with the Milliband brothers and Jeremy Corbyn.
Even with the more recent and familiar names, there was much to discover about missed opportunities, twists of fate, and bad timing which robbed our protagonists of their chances.
At the end of the book, I’m left wondering how history look if one or more of these politicians had made it to the top, and why ruthlessness rather than dedication or ability seems to be what is required to reach number 10.
January 10, 2023
A really strong analytical study of political leadership (or lack of it). Richards is at his best with contemporary politics - he is informed enough to be insightful, but distant enough to be impartial and offer real analytical depth and insight. The chapter on Kinnock, for example, is a perfect example of Richards's ability to find a balance between the two skills. His chapter on Butler is by far the weakest in the book, emblematic of his failure to differentiate between political eras; it is extremely difficult to make justifiable, suitable comparisons between Butler and Corbyn, for instance, as Richards attempts to do. It also felt slightly odd that the book excludes John Smith and Hugh Gaitskell, often widely considered part of the conversation regarding the best PMs we never had, although his justification for leaving them out is understandable. Overall, though, an excellent study of contemporary politics, which provides extremely strong insights into both political characters, and the two major UK parties.
October 1, 2022
Really enjoyed reading this; naturally given the outcomes of elections in the last 100 years in the UK this focused more on Labour than the Conservatives.
Some figures included fairly predictable - Butler, the Milibands (though I wonder if they ever had any realistic prospect of being PM - would say the same re Corbyn and Foot). Two of the most interesting were Barbara Castle and Roy Jenkins who are often not thought about in these terms.
Author has deliberately avoided Gaitskell and Smith as the reason they never became prime minister is already clear.
The author's clearly left-wing perspective was sometimes therefore helpful for insight into what might have been going on on the left; at other times the accounts seemed clearly quite biased, and shared some of the view common in left sided writing that seemed to assume the left should normally win, and seems to want to think something is wrong with the electorate when they do not.
Some figures included fairly predictable - Butler, the Milibands (though I wonder if they ever had any realistic prospect of being PM - would say the same re Corbyn and Foot). Two of the most interesting were Barbara Castle and Roy Jenkins who are often not thought about in these terms.
Author has deliberately avoided Gaitskell and Smith as the reason they never became prime minister is already clear.
The author's clearly left-wing perspective was sometimes therefore helpful for insight into what might have been going on on the left; at other times the accounts seemed clearly quite biased, and shared some of the view common in left sided writing that seemed to assume the left should normally win, and seems to want to think something is wrong with the electorate when they do not.
November 13, 2022
Anybody who has ever wondered if any of our Prime Ministers was really the best person for the job will benefit from reading this book! As we learn, there have been many potentially better candidates on paper who never made it, despite many factors in their favour. Some in the book led their party but failed to win an election. Others were seen in public as electable or prime ministerial but failed to win their party leadership. It seems those who do make it to PM are able to hold together - even on a marginal level - the requisite trinity of (1) personal appeal to voters, (2) media support, and (3) ability to stop the parliamentary party imploding. Policy and track records seem secondary to narrative, PR, and perception. As illustrated so potently by Ed Miliband, we live in a political culture where a ‘bacon sandwich moment’ can derail everything.
Depressing and thought-provoking in equal measure.
Depressing and thought-provoking in equal measure.
August 16, 2022
Slightly inconsistent book - some chapters appeared either to be rushed or perhaps didn't spark the writer's interest as much as others (Michael Portillo?). The comparison between Barbara Castle and Maggie Thatcher for much of one chapter was perhaps unnecessary.
That said, a couple of the chapters stand out, including Richards' assessment of Corbyn's tenure as Labour leader given that some perspective of why it happened and how control of the party was tenuous at best is now possible. Most impressive analysis, however, is reserved for the substantial portrait of Neil Kinnock and how the twin targets of reforming his party, not least during the schism of the miners' strike, and making inroads against a dominant Prime Minister in the 80s, ultimately proved an insurmountable battle by 1992.
That said, a couple of the chapters stand out, including Richards' assessment of Corbyn's tenure as Labour leader given that some perspective of why it happened and how control of the party was tenuous at best is now possible. Most impressive analysis, however, is reserved for the substantial portrait of Neil Kinnock and how the twin targets of reforming his party, not least during the schism of the miners' strike, and making inroads against a dominant Prime Minister in the 80s, ultimately proved an insurmountable battle by 1992.
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