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Chief of Staff: Notes from Downing Street
Since the EU referendum of 2016, British politics has witnessed a barrage of crises, resignations and general elections. Theresa May's premiership was perhaps the most turbulent of all. In her darkest hour, following the disastrous 2017 election, she turned to Gavin Barwell to help restore her battered authority. He would become her chief of staff for the next two years - a period punctuated by Brexit negotiations, domestic tragedy, and intense political drama.
In this gripping insider memoir, Barwell reveals what really went on in the corridors of power - and sheds a vital light on May, the most inscrutable of modern prime ministers. He was by her side when she met Donald Trump, heard about the poisoning of the Skripals in Salisbury, and responded to the Grenfell Tower fire. He was also at the centre of Brexit talks with foreign leaders and MPs from across the house, including Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer. Revealing how government operates during times of crisis, this is the definitive record of a momentous episode in Britain's recent political history.
In this gripping insider memoir, Barwell reveals what really went on in the corridors of power - and sheds a vital light on May, the most inscrutable of modern prime ministers. He was by her side when she met Donald Trump, heard about the poisoning of the Skripals in Salisbury, and responded to the Grenfell Tower fire. He was also at the centre of Brexit talks with foreign leaders and MPs from across the house, including Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer. Revealing how government operates during times of crisis, this is the definitive record of a momentous episode in Britain's recent political history.
520 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 7, 2022
Gavin Barwell is a British politician who was appointed Chief of Staff to then Prime Minister Theresa May shortly after losing his seat as Member of Parliament for Croydon Central, in 2017. Before losing his seat he’d held the role of Minister of State for Housing and Planning. In this book he focuses on his time working for May and primarily on her attempts to agree a Brexit deal with the European Union that she then hoped to get accepted by the British Parliament.
I was aware of Barwell although in his role as CoS he was very much a background figure during May’s reign – political advisers being banned from giving interviews by their Code of Conduct. Here he initially provides quite a bit of detail about how the parliamentary machine works - somewhat interesting but bone dry – before launching into accounts of the major issues his boss had to address during her time as PM. At the top of the list was her desire (need) to ‘deliver’ Brexit. Secondary issues, but nonetheless major challenges in their own right, were: Grenfell, MeToo and Windrush and Northern Ireland.
Barnwell, who narrates the audio version I listened to himself, comes across as driven, highly intelligent and loyal. He also had a few good stories to tell, some light-hearted in-fill before the serious business to come. His accounts of how the secondary issues were addressed felt a bit too procedural for my personal taste, with lots of political language and bullet pointed actions. I found the content, though, very interesting and, at times, highly illuminating. But the real meat in the pie is his lengthy description of the Brexit negotiations and the wrangling with fellow politicians (in his own party as much as the opposition) and with officials from the EU.
Although anyone who owned a television or a phone through that period couldn’t help but find much of the detail familiar, it was the hidden haggling and arguing that I found particularly fascinating. This element certainly put a new slant on some of the key moments in that period and showed up just how self-serving so many politicians are – Boris, in particular, comes across very badly in this regard (no real surprise there). Another feeling I had reinforced is that of how manipulative politicians can be – again, not a surprise but it didn’t feel good to be reminded of the fact. There were also lies, deceit and backstabbing aplenty – and that was just amongst May's own team!
Some of the closing thoughts in the book relate to what might have happened with regard to Brexit if a few things had gone slightly differently. This is sobering stuff and demonstrated to me how small acts can have such significant consequences. Overall I found this to be an interesting account of a key period of political history for the UK. Unedifying as it sometimes is it’s how politics works, how big decisions are reached and how key impacts on all of us come about.
My thanks to W.F. Howes Ltd and NetGalley for providing a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I was aware of Barwell although in his role as CoS he was very much a background figure during May’s reign – political advisers being banned from giving interviews by their Code of Conduct. Here he initially provides quite a bit of detail about how the parliamentary machine works - somewhat interesting but bone dry – before launching into accounts of the major issues his boss had to address during her time as PM. At the top of the list was her desire (need) to ‘deliver’ Brexit. Secondary issues, but nonetheless major challenges in their own right, were: Grenfell, MeToo and Windrush and Northern Ireland.
Barnwell, who narrates the audio version I listened to himself, comes across as driven, highly intelligent and loyal. He also had a few good stories to tell, some light-hearted in-fill before the serious business to come. His accounts of how the secondary issues were addressed felt a bit too procedural for my personal taste, with lots of political language and bullet pointed actions. I found the content, though, very interesting and, at times, highly illuminating. But the real meat in the pie is his lengthy description of the Brexit negotiations and the wrangling with fellow politicians (in his own party as much as the opposition) and with officials from the EU.
Although anyone who owned a television or a phone through that period couldn’t help but find much of the detail familiar, it was the hidden haggling and arguing that I found particularly fascinating. This element certainly put a new slant on some of the key moments in that period and showed up just how self-serving so many politicians are – Boris, in particular, comes across very badly in this regard (no real surprise there). Another feeling I had reinforced is that of how manipulative politicians can be – again, not a surprise but it didn’t feel good to be reminded of the fact. There were also lies, deceit and backstabbing aplenty – and that was just amongst May's own team!
Some of the closing thoughts in the book relate to what might have happened with regard to Brexit if a few things had gone slightly differently. This is sobering stuff and demonstrated to me how small acts can have such significant consequences. Overall I found this to be an interesting account of a key period of political history for the UK. Unedifying as it sometimes is it’s how politics works, how big decisions are reached and how key impacts on all of us come about.
My thanks to W.F. Howes Ltd and NetGalley for providing a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2022
This is a frustrating read. This book is basically Barwell's attempt to annotate and expand his notes from his time as Chief of Staff. The writing is dull and uninspired, and the book mostly works to provide a historical account of why the May government made various choices during its last two years in office. Useful for that purpose? Yes. A compelling reading experience? No. Barwell provides a good deal of useful analysis at the close of the book, but most other pages are consumed with endless and unenlightening recitations of cabinet meeting minutes and press conferences. Most disappointingly, one emerges with almost no new insight into Theresa May herself -- she remains a ghostly and distant figure throughout the book (despite that fact that her name appears on almost every page). You never get a personal sense for what the woman is like or what drives her, beyond the tired talking points one already knows (burning injustices, etc.). A mildly interesting read for devotees of British politics, but a missed opportunity overall.
February 23, 2023
A candid chronicle of failure..
August 21, 2022
If I were a local living in London, I would have probably given 5 stars. Very informative, a lot of insights into the inner workings of government and the interpersonal relationships between the PM, ministers, and their counterparts in Ireland and the EU. I love how the book shows the human side of government, how big decisions can be influenced by human emotion or the personal traits of the individuals in power.
The last third of the book got technical about Brexit, with each sentence having many names of people and acronyms of different organisations. And being unfamiliar with British politics… I only caught maybe half of what he was describing hah.
My key takeaway would be how difficult the brexit process was, being very difficult to negotiate a deal with the EU, difficult to get fellow party members on board with that agreed deal, and then difficult to get parliament to pass any deal that the party can agree on. But no doubt this guy had the experience of his life, working directly with the PM on such an important issue, even having a meal with world leaders.
3 stars 🙃
The last third of the book got technical about Brexit, with each sentence having many names of people and acronyms of different organisations. And being unfamiliar with British politics… I only caught maybe half of what he was describing hah.
My key takeaway would be how difficult the brexit process was, being very difficult to negotiate a deal with the EU, difficult to get fellow party members on board with that agreed deal, and then difficult to get parliament to pass any deal that the party can agree on. But no doubt this guy had the experience of his life, working directly with the PM on such an important issue, even having a meal with world leaders.
3 stars 🙃
February 23, 2022
A very readable insight into the post 2017 UK general election government. Accessibly read and well organised with nice anecdotes and personal testimony woven throughout.
Possibly the most interesting insight is that for all the talk of the national interest the Conservative party continually put its own self interest and survival above that of the nation. While in this case it's possible to justify this (from their POV) that Corbyn would be a worse outcome one suspects if the spectre of Corbynisn didn't loom another self justification would have been deployed. For all the talk that lines the book about keeping the nation together it's the continued interest in the party's short term survival that is the animating force when push comes to shove.
Not that this is a criticism of the Conservative Party per se. Labour also had the opportunity to make an unpopular choice (support May's exit deal) to prevent a hard Brexit. They didn't do it because it was not in their electoral interest.
Ultimately the main takeaway from this book, for me is that the adverserial style of politics and a two party system prevents politicians from working together in the national interest. It leads to a situation where the extreme wing of a party can seize power over it and end up running the country as the electoral system forces it to stay together. Perhaps good for the party but bad for good governance. It forces the country to keep a party together instead of letting parties reform and reshape to better serve the country's interests.
Possibly the most interesting insight is that for all the talk of the national interest the Conservative party continually put its own self interest and survival above that of the nation. While in this case it's possible to justify this (from their POV) that Corbyn would be a worse outcome one suspects if the spectre of Corbynisn didn't loom another self justification would have been deployed. For all the talk that lines the book about keeping the nation together it's the continued interest in the party's short term survival that is the animating force when push comes to shove.
Not that this is a criticism of the Conservative Party per se. Labour also had the opportunity to make an unpopular choice (support May's exit deal) to prevent a hard Brexit. They didn't do it because it was not in their electoral interest.
Ultimately the main takeaway from this book, for me is that the adverserial style of politics and a two party system prevents politicians from working together in the national interest. It leads to a situation where the extreme wing of a party can seize power over it and end up running the country as the electoral system forces it to stay together. Perhaps good for the party but bad for good governance. It forces the country to keep a party together instead of letting parties reform and reshape to better serve the country's interests.
February 23, 2022
A really easy to read and enjoyable account of Barwell’s time as Chief of Staff to Theresa May. This account benefits from being written by someone who was ‘in the room’, and offers unique insights both into Theresa May’s premiership, but also the inner workings of government and the role of the Chief of Staff.
I really liked the way this book was structured thematically rather than chronologically, as it ensured key events other than brexit were discussed at length. I did find that Barwell’s close relationship with TM meant that at many points this read as a re-evaluation of her premiership, and often gave her the benefit of the doubt perhaps more than I would have done.
I really liked the way this book was structured thematically rather than chronologically, as it ensured key events other than brexit were discussed at length. I did find that Barwell’s close relationship with TM meant that at many points this read as a re-evaluation of her premiership, and often gave her the benefit of the doubt perhaps more than I would have done.
July 2, 2022
This has some really interesting sections, and parts are especially interesting in the context of 2022 British politics, but a lot of the chapters in between are fairly repetitive - which, to be fair, is probably representative of the real life situation the book documents, but by the last few chapters I was quite weary of the sequential accounting of meetings and calls and lists of names of who those were with.
June 6, 2022
Very interesting book to read given all that's going on in British politics at present. Whilst Brexit naturally dominated the narrative, given what a focus it was during May's time, it did sometimes got too bogged down into the details of the deal as I found the insights into other Ministers, the machinery of No. 10 and political strategies more engaging to read. Barwell was perhaps too sympathetic to May but it did give a good insight into who she really was.
March 6, 2022
A truly fascinating account of May’s premiership from someone who was in the room where it all happened. For all those keen to live through the intricacies of the Brexit negotiations and the following parliamentary shenanigans again, this is definitely a great read!
September 18, 2021
Modern politics is a maelstrom. I voted not to join the EC in the early 1970s. I’ve experienced the way Britain has been influenced and changed by Europe and the recent years of wrangling over Brexit have been both fascinating and frustrating.
I’ve enjoyed Anthony Seldon’s inside number 10 biographies; honest and fascinating. I thought Gavin Barwell’s experience as Chief of Staff during one of the most turbulent and perplexing periods in British politics might provide a unique insight. I confess, when I saw he was narrating, my heart sank a little as authors are not necessarily the best narrators. But he’s brilliant. Easy to listen to and I was immediately drawn in to his detailed and varied experiences.
I really like his approach. He takes themes, such as Brexit, Grenville Tower, Northern Ireland, security, Cabinet reshuffles etc and follows each through with precision and clarity.
It’s difficult to understand the machinations and workings of Westminster. His unique position allows the reader to see behind closed doors and fully understand how Government really works. His account is based on extensive contemporaneous notes and feels honest and accurate. There are numerous revelations about petty mindedness, deceit, manipulation and more, but they’re recounted without rancour or point scoring. I’ve gained huge insight into the background of many decisions which seemed bizarre and which caused the downfall of the May administration. She will be remembered as the PM who failed to deliver. That’s a disservice as Gavin reveals the plotting, backstabbing and worse that made her position untenable. The book confirms my view that, whatever her shortcomings, we lost a leader with integrity, commitment to the electorate and her party.
I’d urge anyone with an interest in politics, current events or social history to read Chief of Staff. It’s a book with heart and it’s a real fly on the wall revelation.
My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.
I’ve enjoyed Anthony Seldon’s inside number 10 biographies; honest and fascinating. I thought Gavin Barwell’s experience as Chief of Staff during one of the most turbulent and perplexing periods in British politics might provide a unique insight. I confess, when I saw he was narrating, my heart sank a little as authors are not necessarily the best narrators. But he’s brilliant. Easy to listen to and I was immediately drawn in to his detailed and varied experiences.
I really like his approach. He takes themes, such as Brexit, Grenville Tower, Northern Ireland, security, Cabinet reshuffles etc and follows each through with precision and clarity.
It’s difficult to understand the machinations and workings of Westminster. His unique position allows the reader to see behind closed doors and fully understand how Government really works. His account is based on extensive contemporaneous notes and feels honest and accurate. There are numerous revelations about petty mindedness, deceit, manipulation and more, but they’re recounted without rancour or point scoring. I’ve gained huge insight into the background of many decisions which seemed bizarre and which caused the downfall of the May administration. She will be remembered as the PM who failed to deliver. That’s a disservice as Gavin reveals the plotting, backstabbing and worse that made her position untenable. The book confirms my view that, whatever her shortcomings, we lost a leader with integrity, commitment to the electorate and her party.
I’d urge anyone with an interest in politics, current events or social history to read Chief of Staff. It’s a book with heart and it’s a real fly on the wall revelation.
My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.
October 20, 2021
Gavin Barwell, the author and narrator, was a Conservative MP and housing minister who after losing his seat in Theresa May's snap election, was brought deeper into the government by being appointed her Chief of Staff. My political views aren't entirely aligned with his - I've never voted Conservative and am very unlikely ever to do so (I'm more of a liberal - centre-left on society and centre-right on the economy), but we are both unionists and Remainers.
Though not a Tory voter, I've always felt Theresa May was a principled and fair leader, values mostly missing in modern politics. She was a good Home Secretary, standing up to the police federation, and would've made a decent prime minister - she just happened to have the top job at the wrong time. During the Brexit negotiations, too much politicking and lack of cross party compromise ensured she was holding the poisoned chalice.
The book mostly covers the scheming during the Brexit withdrawal agreement. The EU had to ensure Brexit was a failure to deter other states from leaving. The House of Commons was split three-ways: between those who wanted a second referendum, those who wanted a soft Brexit with close EU ties, and those who wanted a hard Brexit with a clean break from the EU. And those factions were again split on party-lines. Plus the speaker of the house wasn't being the impartial chairman that the role required. All this together meant that any vote would fail, as there was never enough consensus to pass a bill. Gavin covers this well, giving opinions from both sides, and gives that behind the scenes view that the mainstream media is unable to deliver.
He also covers the Salisbury attack, Trump, the weaknesses of Corbyn, and a bit of gossip along the way.
The most interesting section is the conclusion, where he covers the what-ifs and the summary of where we are with Brexit. May was keen to ensure that the union survived, and all her negotiations centred around that. But polls amongst the Tory party reported that over 60% would still want Brexit even if it meant Scottish independence, with a similar percentage not caring about disruption to the Northern Ireland peace deal, and the same again wanting Brexit even if it meant the breakup of the Tory party itself - to them, all that mattered was getting Brexit done. Paradoxically, if the Scots do hold a second independence referendum, Johnson and Sturgeon would campaign inversely to their Brexit campaigns - in Brexit, Johnson demanded sovereignty and home rule while Sturgeon argued we're better together!
A detailed account of a disruptive time in British politics, with Theresa May coming across as a genuine civil servant who cares about societal inequalities. It's telling that when losing the premiership, she didn't go into the private sector to earn big bucks like other politicians who are more concerned about their brand than the nation they served - she remained, and still remains, a back-bench MP. Well worth a listen (it comes across as a discussion rather than a reading), and a solid 5 stars!
Book supplied by Netgalley for an honest review.
Though not a Tory voter, I've always felt Theresa May was a principled and fair leader, values mostly missing in modern politics. She was a good Home Secretary, standing up to the police federation, and would've made a decent prime minister - she just happened to have the top job at the wrong time. During the Brexit negotiations, too much politicking and lack of cross party compromise ensured she was holding the poisoned chalice.
The book mostly covers the scheming during the Brexit withdrawal agreement. The EU had to ensure Brexit was a failure to deter other states from leaving. The House of Commons was split three-ways: between those who wanted a second referendum, those who wanted a soft Brexit with close EU ties, and those who wanted a hard Brexit with a clean break from the EU. And those factions were again split on party-lines. Plus the speaker of the house wasn't being the impartial chairman that the role required. All this together meant that any vote would fail, as there was never enough consensus to pass a bill. Gavin covers this well, giving opinions from both sides, and gives that behind the scenes view that the mainstream media is unable to deliver.
He also covers the Salisbury attack, Trump, the weaknesses of Corbyn, and a bit of gossip along the way.
The most interesting section is the conclusion, where he covers the what-ifs and the summary of where we are with Brexit. May was keen to ensure that the union survived, and all her negotiations centred around that. But polls amongst the Tory party reported that over 60% would still want Brexit even if it meant Scottish independence, with a similar percentage not caring about disruption to the Northern Ireland peace deal, and the same again wanting Brexit even if it meant the breakup of the Tory party itself - to them, all that mattered was getting Brexit done. Paradoxically, if the Scots do hold a second independence referendum, Johnson and Sturgeon would campaign inversely to their Brexit campaigns - in Brexit, Johnson demanded sovereignty and home rule while Sturgeon argued we're better together!
A detailed account of a disruptive time in British politics, with Theresa May coming across as a genuine civil servant who cares about societal inequalities. It's telling that when losing the premiership, she didn't go into the private sector to earn big bucks like other politicians who are more concerned about their brand than the nation they served - she remained, and still remains, a back-bench MP. Well worth a listen (it comes across as a discussion rather than a reading), and a solid 5 stars!
Book supplied by Netgalley for an honest review.
May 2, 2024
Holy Moly I need a lie down in a dark room with a large gin after reading this book!
Fascinating, hugely detailed, intense and fast paced. Not a light read by any stretch.
I follow politics very closely and I remember much of the debacle/debates/incidents that over shadowed Theresa May and her premiership. I recall it being a hugely complex time with backstops, deadlines and votes, but this book goes into great depth and you realise just how much went on that the public we're never made aware of.
It goes into the details behind events you thought you knew about, but quickly you realise you only heard what the media wanted to report. For example that fateful conference speech when Theresa May had a very croaky voice - it was only because she refused to clear her diary and rest but instead she insisted on keeping her commitments and speaking at numerous events, often having to shout to be heard in a packed out rooms in the days and hours leading up to her leaders speech. This strained an already sore throat. So it wasn't "weakness" but a stoic desire to not give up or let people down and to simply do what it takes to get things done.
The book is well written, comes across as credible and respectful, yet honest and unvarnished. It's made up of the diary written at the time and the little personal insights are delight if you're a political geek.
It feels like it's a tell all but not in a tacky or sleezy way, more a left nothing hidden feel. It's got opinions and some not so complimentary events and moments but it doesn't leave you feeling grubby or as though there is an axe to grind.
I actually came away admiring Theresa May and having more respect for the role of Prime Minister. I feel like we didn't see the best of a great (female) leader because so much of her time and energy was taken up with Brexit and child like behaviour of some colleagues.
The book goes into great detail of behind the scenes of some really interesting and somewhat scary times, the Salisbury poisonings for example.
Fascinating, hugely detailed, intense and fast paced. Not a light read by any stretch.
I follow politics very closely and I remember much of the debacle/debates/incidents that over shadowed Theresa May and her premiership. I recall it being a hugely complex time with backstops, deadlines and votes, but this book goes into great depth and you realise just how much went on that the public we're never made aware of.
It goes into the details behind events you thought you knew about, but quickly you realise you only heard what the media wanted to report. For example that fateful conference speech when Theresa May had a very croaky voice - it was only because she refused to clear her diary and rest but instead she insisted on keeping her commitments and speaking at numerous events, often having to shout to be heard in a packed out rooms in the days and hours leading up to her leaders speech. This strained an already sore throat. So it wasn't "weakness" but a stoic desire to not give up or let people down and to simply do what it takes to get things done.
The book is well written, comes across as credible and respectful, yet honest and unvarnished. It's made up of the diary written at the time and the little personal insights are delight if you're a political geek.
It feels like it's a tell all but not in a tacky or sleezy way, more a left nothing hidden feel. It's got opinions and some not so complimentary events and moments but it doesn't leave you feeling grubby or as though there is an axe to grind.
I actually came away admiring Theresa May and having more respect for the role of Prime Minister. I feel like we didn't see the best of a great (female) leader because so much of her time and energy was taken up with Brexit and child like behaviour of some colleagues.
The book goes into great detail of behind the scenes of some really interesting and somewhat scary times, the Salisbury poisonings for example.
December 26, 2021
This is a fascinating account of the tempestuous premiership of Theresa May, which though short was also one of the most intense political periods of my lifetime of 42 years.
Barwell captures intensely the dense, tangled web of parliamentary strategising and procedure when May was trying to move her Brexit deal through a Hung Parliament. For pure political advantage, europhiles like Kenneth Clark, backed the deal whilst Brexiteers, such as our current Prime Minister, opposed the deal in the hope that it would fail and he would be in position to swoop in and ‘rescue’ the process. This is what happened, though labelling the Northern Ireland Protocol a rescue would be highly questionable, considering the difficulties in implementation and its subsequent renegotiation, which is still ongoing.
This account is a detailed narrative of a Prime Minister whose opportunity to govern was moulded by Brexit and strangled by Brexit. Barwell puts a brave face on the policy achievements of May’s period in office but the reality is a failed, impromptu General Election ultimately destroyed her political authority, meaning she was allowed to stagger on like a wounded animal by her Machiavellian opponents whilst completing much of the back-breaking work that would mould Britain’s withdrawal from The European Union.
Barwell relies on direct quotations from important players on the National and global stage, grounding his judgments in evidence and close observation of the core players.
This is an absolutely essential read to get to grips with Britain’s painful and complex departure from The EU.
Barwell captures intensely the dense, tangled web of parliamentary strategising and procedure when May was trying to move her Brexit deal through a Hung Parliament. For pure political advantage, europhiles like Kenneth Clark, backed the deal whilst Brexiteers, such as our current Prime Minister, opposed the deal in the hope that it would fail and he would be in position to swoop in and ‘rescue’ the process. This is what happened, though labelling the Northern Ireland Protocol a rescue would be highly questionable, considering the difficulties in implementation and its subsequent renegotiation, which is still ongoing.
This account is a detailed narrative of a Prime Minister whose opportunity to govern was moulded by Brexit and strangled by Brexit. Barwell puts a brave face on the policy achievements of May’s period in office but the reality is a failed, impromptu General Election ultimately destroyed her political authority, meaning she was allowed to stagger on like a wounded animal by her Machiavellian opponents whilst completing much of the back-breaking work that would mould Britain’s withdrawal from The European Union.
Barwell relies on direct quotations from important players on the National and global stage, grounding his judgments in evidence and close observation of the core players.
This is an absolutely essential read to get to grips with Britain’s painful and complex departure from The EU.
November 21, 2021
Nice book on the backstage of Theresa May’s brexit struggle. Well written, well organised, it presents a closer view of Mrs May than most observers would have had the chance to enjoy. Barwell is definitely a party man and very loyal to “his” PM, so don’t expect any scathing revelations, not even on the vey people who cause his downfall and a very big mess, who lied their way through the pack, etc. The tone is honest but a little deferent to Mrs May, and quite protective of the “party”. So listening to Barwell, you’d end up believing that Corbyn carries a greater responsibility for the brexit mess than Johnson. And truly, Barwell doesn’t pull any punches on Corbyn. Even Starmer is to blame, according to Barwell.
Barwell goes as far as saying that he believes the current government’s plan was to leave with no deal through proroguing parliament and that when that plan unfolded ruinously, hurried to accept any deal whatsoever from the EU with the purpose of getting into a good position to run an election and the intention of never ever respecting/implementing the agreement. But not even that extracts a moral judgement of the state of his party today.
Said that, the book presents a very interesting picture altogether. The parts I found most intriguing are those I knew the less, on the DUP, Mrs Foster, their mechanisms and contradictions.
All in all, my opinion of Mrs May and her premiership is much improved by reading this book, which presents her as a real person as opposed to the “maybot” the media have sold us.
Barwell goes as far as saying that he believes the current government’s plan was to leave with no deal through proroguing parliament and that when that plan unfolded ruinously, hurried to accept any deal whatsoever from the EU with the purpose of getting into a good position to run an election and the intention of never ever respecting/implementing the agreement. But not even that extracts a moral judgement of the state of his party today.
Said that, the book presents a very interesting picture altogether. The parts I found most intriguing are those I knew the less, on the DUP, Mrs Foster, their mechanisms and contradictions.
All in all, my opinion of Mrs May and her premiership is much improved by reading this book, which presents her as a real person as opposed to the “maybot” the media have sold us.
November 6, 2021
The withdrawal of the UK from the European Union represents a defining moment in British history and will have ramifications for the country for generations to come.
This first hand account by Theresa May’s Downing Street Chief of Staff is a valuable text in what will be followed, no doubt, by a multitude of history books that will look back at this time and the country gets to grips with what happened and why.
Barwell provides a concise and clearly written account of the negotiations under May and a reasoned analysis of what went wrong. As a loyal member of May’s team the book paints a sympathetic portrait of the Prime Minister. What comes across is of someone who was principled and driven by a strong sense of duty, and also conscious of how the political machine and its surrounding media treats women in politics.
This is in contrast to the more cavalier approach of her successor. Admirably, Barwell is not there to score points and the book is all the better for that.
The withdrawal is the main focus of the book, but Barwell also deals with the other policy areas of the May government, most interestingly the Salisbury poisonings, the Syria air strikes and the relationship with Trump.
Highly recommend if you are looking for further insight into Brexit and trying to understand quite what happened.
This first hand account by Theresa May’s Downing Street Chief of Staff is a valuable text in what will be followed, no doubt, by a multitude of history books that will look back at this time and the country gets to grips with what happened and why.
Barwell provides a concise and clearly written account of the negotiations under May and a reasoned analysis of what went wrong. As a loyal member of May’s team the book paints a sympathetic portrait of the Prime Minister. What comes across is of someone who was principled and driven by a strong sense of duty, and also conscious of how the political machine and its surrounding media treats women in politics.
This is in contrast to the more cavalier approach of her successor. Admirably, Barwell is not there to score points and the book is all the better for that.
The withdrawal is the main focus of the book, but Barwell also deals with the other policy areas of the May government, most interestingly the Salisbury poisonings, the Syria air strikes and the relationship with Trump.
Highly recommend if you are looking for further insight into Brexit and trying to understand quite what happened.
June 30, 2023
Well, a very interesting insight into Theresa May’s last two years as PM. Barwell, as her chief of staff, can be forgiven for his loyalty. Having said that, his constant drumbeat that May was always driven by what was “in the national interest” is just plain wrong. May veered between the national interest and the Conservative Party’s interest and in the end always protected the party (from implosion) rather than pushing through on those national interest vibes.
For example, this whole thing should have been an “all hands on deck” national effort. She spoke of wanting to bring the country back together, but what she meant was bring the Conservative Party back together - or prevent it from splintering. Why did she not go - early - to the Labour Party and say that they needed to work together to find a solution that the majority of the Commons supported - rather than trying to convince her own retrograde Brexiteers to support what really was probably the best she (or anyone else) could get? The answer to this and every other fork in the road was that she just could t shake her loyalty to the Tory apparatus that thinks it has a god-given right to rule the UK.
For example, this whole thing should have been an “all hands on deck” national effort. She spoke of wanting to bring the country back together, but what she meant was bring the Conservative Party back together - or prevent it from splintering. Why did she not go - early - to the Labour Party and say that they needed to work together to find a solution that the majority of the Commons supported - rather than trying to convince her own retrograde Brexiteers to support what really was probably the best she (or anyone else) could get? The answer to this and every other fork in the road was that she just could t shake her loyalty to the Tory apparatus that thinks it has a god-given right to rule the UK.
July 19, 2022
A very insightful and informative book the shines during the more personal accounts and shows a more personal side I wish could have been seen of Theresa May at the time
I do kind of wish it was told in a more chronological purely to cut down on the repetition of some points around the more busy periods.
I would strongly recommend the audio book as well. He tells his story well and adds an extra layer of drive , respect and admiration at times to his words. There production could have been better as a few very minor vocal stumbles are present but it’s more than worth it to hear it in his own words.
It clearly being written from his contemporary diaries is it’s biggest strength as it’s his thoughts at the time presented with added hindsight as well as a weakness in that there are times when it’s little more than dressing up what was clearly a few bullet points taken in a less than memorable meeting.
Is this the definitive text on brexit? No. Is it insiders perspective with lengthy explanations of why it took so long from his point of view? Yes.
I do kind of wish it was told in a more chronological purely to cut down on the repetition of some points around the more busy periods.
I would strongly recommend the audio book as well. He tells his story well and adds an extra layer of drive , respect and admiration at times to his words. There production could have been better as a few very minor vocal stumbles are present but it’s more than worth it to hear it in his own words.
It clearly being written from his contemporary diaries is it’s biggest strength as it’s his thoughts at the time presented with added hindsight as well as a weakness in that there are times when it’s little more than dressing up what was clearly a few bullet points taken in a less than memorable meeting.
Is this the definitive text on brexit? No. Is it insiders perspective with lengthy explanations of why it took so long from his point of view? Yes.
December 10, 2023
This is a decent book about the author's relatively brief time as Chief of Staff to Theresa May when she was British Prime Minister. It feels like an honest account in which the author does not spare himself - he states unambiguously that he regards his record in this role as a failure.
It's clear that the author was and remains devoted to May and his account of her certainly gives the impression that she was a politician of great integrity and no small amount of compassion. She cannot be described as a good Prime Minister because of her failures over Brexit and the personal characteristics that contributed to these failures. The book acknowledges these but overall paints a very positive view of May.
I felt the book didn't give me quite the insight I was looking for into how the government (or this small part of it) really worked, but perhaps I was expecting some great operating principle that just wasn't there in real life and hence could not be revealed by the book. Who knows.
Well worth a read, whatever your personal political persuasion.
May 9, 2022
Theresa May will go down in history not just because she was the second female Prime Minister but because she oversaw most of the Brexit negotiations.
Many will argue that she failed at the latter, and this would be a view that is hard to argue against. However, she never had a chance at success and was handed a poisoned chalice. The moment the early election was called and her majority reduced, the writing was on the wall.
This account gives a behind the scenes peep as to what it was like at the heart of government during this turbulent time.
While May's premiership was mainly devoted to Brexit, it was somewhat repetitive. I would have liked a bit more insight into other government workings.
Many will argue that she failed at the latter, and this would be a view that is hard to argue against. However, she never had a chance at success and was handed a poisoned chalice. The moment the early election was called and her majority reduced, the writing was on the wall.
This account gives a behind the scenes peep as to what it was like at the heart of government during this turbulent time.
While May's premiership was mainly devoted to Brexit, it was somewhat repetitive. I would have liked a bit more insight into other government workings.
October 17, 2023
An interesting read, Gavin Barwell comes across as a good an honourable man and I’m pleased he has been elevated to the House of Lords. His respect for Theresa May is clear and certainly his argument that Brexit under her Prime Ministership being a better compromise and better for the economy is compelling. The book is perhaps less critical of some of her failings as Prime Minister and the huge damage the Conservatives have done to the UK - although the books was written before Liz Truss’ 45 days…
September 17, 2025
Good in part, but only for the politics enthusiast.
I find politics fascinating but still got quite lost in the sections dealing with the attempts to get a deal through the House: I suspect a few of those Members were also confused. The best this author could have done, but having finished the book it seems to me that a more interesting story would have been about how we had a vote in which the options were a clearly defined status quo (stay) and an undefined everything to all people (leave).
I find politics fascinating but still got quite lost in the sections dealing with the attempts to get a deal through the House: I suspect a few of those Members were also confused. The best this author could have done, but having finished the book it seems to me that a more interesting story would have been about how we had a vote in which the options were a clearly defined status quo (stay) and an undefined everything to all people (leave).
January 14, 2023
Surprisingly interesting read - and surprised to say I felt a certain empathy and respect for Theresa May, who I am not a big fan of. Going back through all the knife edge meaningful votes and amendments took me striaght back to that crazy period, which I think we shouldn't forget about although it feels like another era now!
Definitely a geeky politics book but worth reading if that's what gets your blood pumping
Definitely a geeky politics book but worth reading if that's what gets your blood pumping
April 28, 2025
Disappointing- a lot of information on various interactions and events but often felt like they were transcribed directly from notes rather than providing any real insight on events. It would have been interesting to have shared more of an emphasis on the Chief of Staff role. Some interesting elements but perhaps some editing may have meant a more relevant book. Reviews were very generous given the content.
January 3, 2022
The author’s desire to protect the identity of individuals who said certain things to him, or the opinions of his principals means that at times a frustrating veil is drawn over the events he describes (the Salisbury episode in particular) but it’s testament to Barwell’s writing that I want to know these things, to read more and know more! A great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2022
Just the kind of clear thinking person you would want at the top of government. His approach was human, clever and intuitive. He has a style and direct approach to thinking about issues I found it intriguing. Good insight in to other current political figures. Boris Johnson doesn't come out well on this.
April 5, 2025
Living diaries across the May years. Written from the heart and mind, which makes it an effective way into get a sense of how the whole Brexit train crash took place in slow motion. Starts too slow, but then picks up and becomes intriguing. Missing an overall view, but that may well have been the issue of that government.
March 30, 2022
Fascinating insight into what it’s like at the heart of no.10 through some of the most turbulent brexit years. Some of its a little dry and technical, but I enjoyed listening to it and learning more from the inside the government
July 12, 2022
Intriguing positive assessment of Teresa May
Fearing another glossy bout of self justification, I am delighted by the candour and honesty of Gavin Barwell. This memoir records failure of political strategy with integrity and subtle analysis.
Fearing another glossy bout of self justification, I am delighted by the candour and honesty of Gavin Barwell. This memoir records failure of political strategy with integrity and subtle analysis.
July 24, 2022
POlitics is tricky to review, I wanted to read about the Chief of Staff's roll and in a time when I mostly remember the outputs. The author was clear on the mission and made the best explanation of Brexit negotians I've heard.
December 1, 2021
A well-written look into the functioning of Theresa May's government and the machinations surrounding Brexit
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