Decline & Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 [Hardcover]

 

 

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This book follows on from his previous book and outlines in a humorous and often cutting way, the decline of New Labour. I could not put this book down.It is very highly recommended and is probably a better and truer view of the Labour dream that Blair's 'The Journey' will ever be.

Loved it - the decline and fall of New Labour written from the inside with self deprecating humour. I took it on holiday and as someone who cannot stand Gordon Brown it had me chuckling by the pool, much to everyone else's amusement. Liked it so much I have now bought the earlier volume as well.

Chris Mullin's minor acts of rebellion thankfully continue into his retirement. Clearly he has chosen to tackle head on the slightly more well known book by one Anthony Blair by deciding to publish the second volume of his diaries on the same date as "A Journey - or Gordon why I didn't sack him". Neither for Mullin has this book been subject to vice like embargo or threat of a pre publication legal jihad. Indeed it was covered in lengthy extracts by in Radio 4's Book of the Week programme where it was beautifully read by Sam Dale.

Mullin is that rarity, an independent minded MP whose career was not as important as his politics. This simple fact is missed on so many slavish "party creatures" who fail to understand that being an MP and having some views of your own actually endears you to the voting public. Mullin of course was somebody who while aspiring "Blairites" formed a disorderly queue for Ministerial jobs actually turned down the first job he was offered and when eventually he did accept a second offer, walked away when he felt he could make better use of his time. "Decline and Fall" is the second part of Mullin's diary (following the wonderful "View from the foothills") and chronicles those years between 2005 -2010 when Tony "The Man" Blair and other "inhabitants of the stratosphere" played out complex political feuds which would have shocked the Roman Senate (where at least the knives were unsheathed). Mullin's judgements throughout this diary are fascinating and often uncannily right. The departure of Tony Blair particularly his triumphant last performance in the Commons is vividly captured and Mullin's judgement drawn from a Lib Dem peer was that Blair's response to admittedly dire opposition questions was the "bowlers were outshone by the batsman" . He also concedes through gritted teeth that the PMs departure chimed with the showbiz maxim that you must "leave with the crowds still wanting more". Subsequently on the big push that occurred to coronate Gordon Brown as Prime Minister he comments ruefully about the latter's "populist claptrap on Britishness" and "promising to be tough on terrorists". With real foresight he concludes that "if this is all he has to offer the cupboard is well and truly bare". Mullin did not know how right he was.

Mullin is a great writer/diarist and holds your attention. You sense his real incredulity at the decision by one time uber Blairite Jack Straw to become Gordon Brown's campaign manager. "What an operator" he exclaims. Throughout the book he charts the terrible back biting and dysfunction of a party whose new Prime Minister "depresses everyone" and led Mullin to record the rueful judgement by Kelvin Hopkins MP (Lab Luton North) "that we have replaced a psychotic with a neurotic"

Amongst numerous fascinating entries none are more riveting than the slow build up of the MPs expenses scandal with the publication of the Daily Telegraph revelations. Mullin does not at first appreciate the gravity of this and ponders how "we can counter this blizzard of lies" but then sadly accepts "that we have brought so much of this on ourselves...entirely self inflicted".

As for positives you come out of reading this book thinking that not all politicians are bad people, you almost admire Alistair Darling for his coolness under pressure during the banking crisis. You feel for Mullin on the loss of his dear old Mum and especially when he poignantly dreams that she has revisited him. And you save a warm smile for the comment of the late great Tony Banks MP who with characteristic wit said of his elevation to the House of Lords "Wonderful, I've gone from being a boring old fart to a Young Turk in a single leap".

Throughout the book the charming idiosyncrasies and character of Chris Mullin shine through. This a man who after all remains one of the 0.5 per cent of the British population who still watches television in black and white but felt rather guilty about claiming £48 for TV licence. Like Alan Clark and Tony Benn he is the type of person we want our politicians to be, warts and all. Certainly he was often infuriating and a clinger to old labourist ideals well past their sell by date, but in his valedictory speech to the Commons he is someone who can stand up with pride and state the following "I am a socialist with a small "s", a liberal with a small "l", a green with a small "g" and a democrat with a capital "D". It is a fine political epithet for a much missed politician.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A very good easy read
As a politically aware, but only occasional reading, old cynic, this was a very good easy read during my recent hip replacement and initial recovery period . Read more

Published 2 days ago by PJJ

3.0 out of 5 stars ZZZZzzzzzzz!
I purchased this at the same time as the first set of diaries, expecting that it would be good to follow straight on where the first set left off. Read more

Published 3 days ago by J. M. Green

5.0 out of 5 stars Very compelling
Chris Mullin is not like most MPs, though there may be others we underestimate while knowing less of them. Read more

Published 14 days ago by Picky reader

5.0 out of 5 stars Decline & Fall
I was given this book for Christmas 2011 and found it a riveting warts and all read as I did for A View from the Foothills. Thank goodness for politicians like Mullins. Read more

Published 23 days ago by PK

3.0 out of 5 stars Sunday afternoon reading
A pleasant enough read, in a Sunday afternoon with the papers kind of way, or Antiques Roadshow with a cup of tea. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Ryan Sales

5.0 out of 5 stars No sign of decline here
Throughout this volume of Diaries, as with its predecessor, Chris Mullin emerges as a politician with a genuine conscience. Read more

Published 2 months ago by G. M. Sinstadt

5.0 out of 5 stars Saint Mullin
Sharp as a tack, never sentimental and always compassionate, Chris Mullin observed New Labour from a ringside seat. His diaries are among the best of recent years. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Timothy J. Haigh

4.0 out of 5 stars The honest politician
In this set of diaries the author describes the years of New Labour's decline and the dethronement of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Clive A. H. Still

5.0 out of 5 stars More compelling Mullin diaries
Chris Mullin: slightly pompous (Roy Hattersley had a point), slightly holier-than-thou, but definitely on the side of the good guys. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Surfer Rosa

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting
This is a wonderfully uplifting, moving and amusing diary account from a very self deprecating man who has dedicated much of his life to politics on behalf of Sunderland and his... Read more

Published 5 months ago by DevilDug

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