Polly Toynbee and David Walker's latest book The Verdict critically assess thirteen years of New Labour.  They take a detailed look at every aspect of government from education and crime to immigration and climate change policy. Their assessment of Labour is interwoven with interviews encompassing the whole spectrum of society. They build up a picture of a government that generally cared about the people of the country and had grand plans to change life in Britain, but was ultimately too fearful of the right wing-media, in awe of bankers and too worried about their image. The Verdict is no love letter to the Labour Party, but a brilliantly insightful book about a significant period of British political history, and a lesson in the serious challenges any government faces if they really want to achieve change.

“Polly Toynbee and David Walker are becoming our latter-day Beatrice and Sidney Webb … indefatigable researchers of and campaigners for a better society. The duo spare nothing and nobody in their robust dissection of today’s Britain and how Labour, while still doing some good, muffed a once-in-fifty year opportunity for change. It’s a requiem for one government and a benchmark for the next.” - Will Hutton

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Polly Toynbee is a leading columnist for the Guardian.  She was formerly BBC social affairs editor, columnist and associate editor at the Independent, co-editor of the Washington Monthly and a reporter and feature writer for the Observer.

Photo Credit: Eamonn McCabe

David Walker was managing director of communications and public reporting at the Audit Commission.  He writes for the Guardian and was formerly the chief leader writer of the Independent.

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Author Event
Polly Toynbee &
David Walker
Tues, 7 Dec, 7pm

Entrance Fee: £5
Concession: £3**
** Students, retirees and unemployed
Note: Entrance fee includes a glass of wine and ticket is redeemable for a £2 off purchase of the author's book