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Beyond A Fringe: Tales from a Reformed Establishment Lackey
Veering from the hilarious to the tragic, Andrew Mitchell's tales from the parliamentary jungle make for one of the most entertaining political memoirs in years. From his prep school years, straight out of Evelyn Waugh, through the Army to Cambridge, the City of London and the Palace of Westminster, Mitchell has passed through a series of British institutions at a time of furious social and political change, in the process becoming rather more cynical about the British Establishment. Here, he reflects on the perils and pleasures of loyalty, whether to a party, to individuals or to one's own principles.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published October 12, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 2, 2022
Ok, so depending on your politics, it may not be everyone's cup of tea. However, as a memoir of a political life, it's full of amusing stories. There is a very serious section , detailing his work as International Development Secretary, highlighting many of the troubled spots around the world. And his account of plebgate is quite brief, but fascinating (and follows on from my previous readings of Cancel Culture) yet depressing.
Basically, Andrew Mitchell comes across as being quite human, a decent bloke with some excellent anecdotes. Perhaps those who enjoy reading about politics will confine themselves to just reading Prime Ministerial autobiographies, but as a "less significant character", he still has a lot to contribute. I enjoyed it, and it definitely passed the six laugh test.
Basically, Andrew Mitchell comes across as being quite human, a decent bloke with some excellent anecdotes. Perhaps those who enjoy reading about politics will confine themselves to just reading Prime Ministerial autobiographies, but as a "less significant character", he still has a lot to contribute. I enjoyed it, and it definitely passed the six laugh test.
August 8, 2023
I bought this book because it promised riotous political anecdotes and a cynical insider’s view of the establishment. It didn’t deliver on either count – apart from the fact that Andrew Mitchell is clearly an insider. Prep school, public school, a brief spell in the army, Cambridge, merchant bank and Conservative MP, rising to become a cabinet minister … Mitchell is establishment to the core.
He does however seem to be a nice guy. Mitchell comes across as kind and confident, a well-rounded family man with a genuine concern for others, but his tone is often self-satisfied. He drops a lot of names you’ve never heard of, which is frankly boring. Achievements are listed as if he’s desperate not to leave anything out. There are dozens of weakly amusing stories with rather obvious punchlines. Spiced up with a few salacious details, I’m sure they would make a great evening down the pub, but they don’t work well in a book.
The chapters simply divide Mitchell’s life into chronological order, which I felt was a missed opportunity: a more thematic approach would have allowed him to deliver some home truths on the UK’s political class. There’s a short chapter at the end (‘What I have learned’) which offers some gentle insights and wise advice to new MPs, but it’s all rather underwhelming. The changes in British society during Mitchell’s career, the Conservative-Liberal coalition government, the Brexit vote in 2016 and its tumultuous aftermath hardly get a mention.
Where I found the book most revealing was its description of the Westminster machine. Its labyrinthine chaos makes you wonder how anyone governs at all. Whips, pairs, red boxes, tea room intrigues – no one would design a system of government like this. Mitchell’s description of being a newly elected MP as ‘rather like turning up to your first term at a boy’s boarding school’ seems particularly apt. Admittedly this was 1987, but my impression is that in many ways parliament has not changed.
On the positive side our political system is surprisingly collegiate – certainly more co-operative than the press would have us believe. Nevertheless you wonder what kind of person would campaign – or could afford to campaign - as a young hopeful in a hopeless constituency, only to end up many years later elected to a job that might only last 5 years. I can think of two types – political firebrands and people like Andrew Mitchell with very generous employers. It’s a system that excludes a lot of people who might have become good MPs.
364 pages
He does however seem to be a nice guy. Mitchell comes across as kind and confident, a well-rounded family man with a genuine concern for others, but his tone is often self-satisfied. He drops a lot of names you’ve never heard of, which is frankly boring. Achievements are listed as if he’s desperate not to leave anything out. There are dozens of weakly amusing stories with rather obvious punchlines. Spiced up with a few salacious details, I’m sure they would make a great evening down the pub, but they don’t work well in a book.
The chapters simply divide Mitchell’s life into chronological order, which I felt was a missed opportunity: a more thematic approach would have allowed him to deliver some home truths on the UK’s political class. There’s a short chapter at the end (‘What I have learned’) which offers some gentle insights and wise advice to new MPs, but it’s all rather underwhelming. The changes in British society during Mitchell’s career, the Conservative-Liberal coalition government, the Brexit vote in 2016 and its tumultuous aftermath hardly get a mention.
Where I found the book most revealing was its description of the Westminster machine. Its labyrinthine chaos makes you wonder how anyone governs at all. Whips, pairs, red boxes, tea room intrigues – no one would design a system of government like this. Mitchell’s description of being a newly elected MP as ‘rather like turning up to your first term at a boy’s boarding school’ seems particularly apt. Admittedly this was 1987, but my impression is that in many ways parliament has not changed.
On the positive side our political system is surprisingly collegiate – certainly more co-operative than the press would have us believe. Nevertheless you wonder what kind of person would campaign – or could afford to campaign - as a young hopeful in a hopeless constituency, only to end up many years later elected to a job that might only last 5 years. I can think of two types – political firebrands and people like Andrew Mitchell with very generous employers. It’s a system that excludes a lot of people who might have become good MPs.
364 pages
August 16, 2023
Mitchell comes across as more humorous than expected, and insights into early career and the Major era Whips Office good. Rather evangelical about his approach to DFID. Clearly some good work done, but limited insight into why many didn't back it. Those wanting more on plebgate or the referendum will be largely disappointed, although it does clarify the reprehensible behaviour of the police, which would have probably now been called out sooner given events since.
The generally good and public spirited impression Mitchell gives is much undermined by the final chapter that seems largely to be an ad hominem attack on Boris Johnson, with limited argument beyond what looks like personal slight over DFID given to back it up.
The generally good and public spirited impression Mitchell gives is much undermined by the final chapter that seems largely to be an ad hominem attack on Boris Johnson, with limited argument beyond what looks like personal slight over DFID given to back it up.
April 11, 2023
how sad it is that the politician who wrote this memoir developed a comprehensive ideology and policy on poor countries abd humanitarian projects, but very primitive, relaxed views or even none of the sort on the United Kingdom, the Crown and British society.
his naivity led to the dismantling of the Department for international development, which was joined to the Foreign Office.
his naivity led to the dismantling of the Department for international development, which was joined to the Foreign Office.
August 14, 2023
He really is an Establishment Lackey..he has lived a very privileged & full life & yet has achieved so little..He will only be remembered for Plebgate..which cost him over £2 million..if you aren't interested in posh lackeys this book won't be for you..
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews