Making the Weather

Endorsements by Simon Jenkins (author of A Short History of England); Iain Dale; Jane Ridley (author of George V: Never a Dull Moment); Isabel Hardman; Ian Dunt

Reviews expected in newspapers and magazines from across the political spectrum.

Radio/Podcasts

LBC; Times Radio; Political Thinking with Nick Robinson; The New Statesman Podcast; Iain Dale All Talk;
Spectator Books;
Spectator TV

Vernon Bogdanor’s Festival appearances in 2024

21 September Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival 

22 September Barnes Book Festival

25 September Rye Arts Festival

28 September Kings Lynn Festival

7 November Bridport Literary Festival

TBC Derby Book Festival

TBC October Wells Festival of Literature

A fascinating study of six politicians who ‘made the weather’ in post-war British politics and deeply influenced all our lives without achieving his office.Making the Weather is the story of six post-war politicians, all of whom exerted an outsized influence on the political life of the UK: an influence greater than that of most prime ministers. Vernon Bogdanor’s cast includes three from the political Left – Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan, Roy Jenkins, and Tony Benn – and three from the Right – Enoch Powell, Keith Joseph, and Nigel Farage. Each study is a fascinating analysis that examines how these men achieved such prominence and influence and how, though very different figures in many ways, they came to dominate the political landscape, often for a period of years.

Each of the six made fundamental contributions to the debate about Britain’s future and to the vibrancy of our democracy. From immigration to Europe, from the NHS to devolution, the issues and causes that brought these men to prominence are still of considerable contemporary relevance.