The first volume of Paddy Ashdown's acclaimed diaries ended on 2 May 1997, the day after Labour gained its landslide victory and the Lib Dems won more seats than at any time since 1929, with the fateful words: "Tony starts his Prime Ministership with a tidal wave of hope and good will behind him. A new age". But was it? This second volume takes us from that post-electoral euphoria to the moment when Paddy Ashdown, believing he had taken his party as far as he could, stands down as leader. For four years he and Tony Blair had worked closely on a project intended to totally realign the Left in British politics. Ashdown's account reveals that having missed the chance to bring their plan to fruition immediately after the election, he and Blair tried again in November 1997 and once more a year later. It ultimately failed because of Blair's belief that he could not overcome the opposition within his own Cabinet. During their many meetings - some in the midle of the night -Ashdown and Blair built up the closest relationship of any two British political leaders in modern times. Here, for the first time, is the gripping story of their complex and secret talks on how and when Ashdown should lead his party into the government. Intertwined with this tale of high politics, formidable willpower and strong emotion are two other great stories of Paddy Ashdown's leadership: the astonishing truth behind the Lib-Lab pact in the Scottish parliament and his involvement at the very highest level, both in the field and behind the scenes, in the Kosovo war. Candid, shrewd and exciting, the diaries present a vivid inside picture of Westminster, and the most intimate portrait yet of Blair and his government.
 Trade In this Item for up to £0.25
Trade in The Ashdown Diaries: 1997-1999 v.2: 1997-1999 Vol 2 for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £0.25, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Learn more
|
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
About the Author
Before he began his political career, Paddy Ashdown served in the Royal Marine Commandos and the Special Boat Service (SBS) and afterwards as a member of the Diplomatic Service. In 1983 he became MP for Yeovil, and in 1988 won the leadership election for the new Social and Liberal Democrats. In the May 1997 election he led the Liberal Democrats to their greatest electoral achievement since 1929. He stood down as the party's leader in 1999.
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This is a fascinating book looking into the first couple of years of the Labour government. I am not too hot on politics but it is a great insight into how Tony Blair and his government works. The interpersonal relationships are fascinating.
It also has excellent side stories, and gives you a glimpse of what it is like to be not only in the public eye but also an ambassador for the Country.
Like Volume 1 the insight into Paddy Ashdown makes terrific reading, the number of sleepless nights left me exhausted!
A great book, about a great public figure!
By Voting
Format:Hardcover
Volume 2 of The Ashdown Diaries fall roughly into two parts: Ashdown's determination to heal the rift between the so-called progressive parties, Labour and Lib Dems, with the latter receiving more like its fair share of seats thru proportional representation.
Later, Ashdown sees, at first hand, the humanitarian crisis in Kosova, for which his army back-ground makes him a most suitable witness and prime historical source.
I read the work to find out the truth (and write my own on-line study) about what went on behind the scenes leading up to The Independent Commission on Voting Systems, the Jenkins Commission and the fate of its recommendation. In this, it was most revealing and basicly answered my questions.
It also posed the question of when will Roy Jenkins' diaries enter the public domain, as they must reveal an account of Tony Blair's long refusal to give Jenkins the single transferable vote. (Ashdown Diaries volume 2, 6 May 1998.)
The "enigma" of Tony Blair is reviewed. Ashdown quickly apprehends that New Labour are "control freaks," his own apt and popular phrase, and tries to warn them of their folly. Despite his close consultations with the Blair regime, he has to admit in the postscript that he was wrong and Hugo Young right in saying Blair is not liberal (tho Blair still claims to be, in "A Journey").
For me, this question was summed-up when Ashdown records a visiting American's view that Clinton and Blair will both ultimately fail because they lack an inner core of belief.
Later, Ashdown sees, at first hand, the humanitarian crisis in Kosova, for which his army back-ground makes him a most suitable witness and prime historical source.
I read the work to find out the truth (and write my own on-line study) about what went on behind the scenes leading up to The Independent Commission on Voting Systems, the Jenkins Commission and the fate of its recommendation. In this, it was most revealing and basicly answered my questions.
It also posed the question of when will Roy Jenkins' diaries enter the public domain, as they must reveal an account of Tony Blair's long refusal to give Jenkins the single transferable vote. (Ashdown Diaries volume 2, 6 May 1998.)
The "enigma" of Tony Blair is reviewed. Ashdown quickly apprehends that New Labour are "control freaks," his own apt and popular phrase, and tries to warn them of their folly. Despite his close consultations with the Blair regime, he has to admit in the postscript that he was wrong and Hugo Young right in saying Blair is not liberal (tho Blair still claims to be, in "A Journey").
For me, this question was summed-up when Ashdown records a visiting American's view that Clinton and Blair will both ultimately fail because they lack an inner core of belief.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Mostly boring. Yes, descriptions of discussions toward decisions about real matters outside parliament are very interesting. But page after page, day after day, descriptions of every twist and turn of purely political matters, important though they may be, are tedious.
For instance, large chunks of the book are about nothing else but the back and forth arguments, day after day, week after week, between politicians about proportional representation.
I know that such matters are important, and our politicians give much more energy and time to them than one can reasonably expect, but I would like to see much of the book edited out so as to leave the gist.
r0n
For instance, large chunks of the book are about nothing else but the back and forth arguments, day after day, week after week, between politicians about proportional representation.
I know that such matters are important, and our politicians give much more energy and time to them than one can reasonably expect, but I would like to see much of the book edited out so as to leave the gist.
r0n
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Biography > Historical > 1901 Onwards
- Books > Biography > Historical > Britain > Military
- Books > Biography > Historical > Countries & Regions > Europe
- Books > Biography > Political > Britain
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Ireland
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Government & Politics > Countries & Regions > Europe > Western Europe
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
