The Candidate (2nd Edition)
New Edition With Extensive Coverage Of The 2017 Election
Winner Of The 2017 Bread And Roses Award For Radical Publishing
"I found the first edition of The Candidate very enjoyable but this second edition is fabulous."
- Len McCluskey, General Secretary, Unite"A very well-researched narrative... The story of how such an other-worldly figure became leader of the party simply by being himself is an oddly electrifying one."
- Robert Potts, Times Literary Supplement"Too well reported not to read."
- Aditya Chakrabortty, The Guardianabout the bookabout
In June 2017 an earthquake shook the very foundations of British politics. With Labour widely predicted to suffer a crushing defeat in the general election, Jeremy Corbyn instead achieved a stunning upset-a hung parliament, the humiliation of Theresa May's government, and more than 40% of the vote.
A lifelong and uncompromising socialist, Corbyn had, against all expectations, been dramatically elected leader of the Labour party in September 2015. In the space of less than two years he had progressed from 200-1 outsider for the Labour Party leadership to become an apparent Prime Minister-in-waiting.
How these events came about is the subject of Alex Nunn's highly-readable and richly researched account.
Drawing on first-hand interviews with those involved in the leadership and general election campaigns, including Labour's most senior figures, Nunns traces the origins of Corbyn's ascent. Giving full justice to the dramatic swings and nail-biting tensions of an extraordinary moment in UK politics, Nunn's telling of a story that has received widespread attention but little understanding is as illuminating as it is entertaining. Selected by The Guardian as one of the best politics books of 2016, this updated edition includes a new prologue and revised introduction, and an extensive afterword that brings an incredible story right up to date.
"Fascinating... For anyone engaged in this movement, understanding precisely how we came to be where we are can only make us more effective as we go forward. That's why Alex Nunn's book is so important." - John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
"Unparalleled... A really riveting read... Outstanding". - Aaron Bastani, Novara Media
"Based on interviews with almost all the key players... a superb tour". - Leo Panitch, Red Pepper
"Detailed and compelling, and convincing about the roots of his success." - Rob Burley, The Andrew Marr Show
"Insightful... As far as the leader's closest allies are concerned, Nunns’ book is the most authoritative yet published on his rise". - Stephen Bush, The New Statesman
"Remarkable... Reads like a political thriller... Enormously exciting." - Red Labour
About The Author / Editor
Preview
"Wow," says John McDonnell, breaking the silence. Everyone in the room expected Jeremy Corbyn to win, but not by this much. The "unelectable" left-winger has just taken 59.5 per cent of the vote in a four-horse race.
The candidates and their campaign chiefs have been cooped up on the third floor of Westminster's vast Queen Elizabeth II conference centre for 40 minutes anxiously awaiting advance notice of the result. Deprived of their phones and iPads to prevent the news leaking out, they have been forced to make small talk. After a summer in which the contenders have whiled away countless hours backstage at hustings up and down the country, there is not much more to say. When the gruelling programme of events began, Corbyn was a 200/1 rank outsider. Today, 12 September 2015, he is about to become leader of the Labour Party.
After Iain McNicol, Labour's general secretary, reads out the fateful figures, Corbyn's defeated rivals-Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall-offer their congratulations. Corbyn and McDonnell reciprocate, thanking the others for a comradely contest. There are hugs, but it is all rather restrained. Yet inside, the victors are fit to burst. They are "gob-smacked" at the scale of the win.
When the result is publicly declared downstairs in the conference hall an hour or so later, the discordance of the audience reaction hints at the troubles ahead. There is wild cheering from some sections of the room. People literally jump out of their seats, shouting and punching the air. Hardened trade unionists are standing up chanting "Jez we did, Jez we did!" There is ecstasy and disbelief in the block reserved for Corbyn's campaign team. A few minutes earlier rumours had zipped along the rows that Corbyn had won 60 per cent, an idea his supporters dismissed, saying there was no way that could be right. Until the last moment, some feared the contest could yet be fixed or summarily cancelled. "You can't imagine that they will allow this to happen", said one.
in the media
Related Interest
Related Interest
The Candidate (2nd Edition)
New Edition With Extensive Coverage Of The 2017 Election
Winner Of The 2017 Bread And Roses Award For Radical Publishing
"I found the first edition of The Candidate very enjoyable but this second edition is fabulous."
- Len McCluskey, General Secretary, Unite"A very well-researched narrative... The story of how such an other-worldly figure became leader of the party simply by being himself is an oddly electrifying one."
- Robert Potts, Times Literary Supplement"Too well reported not to read."
- Aditya Chakrabortty, The Guardianabout the bookabout
In June 2017 an earthquake shook the very foundations of British politics. With Labour widely predicted to suffer a crushing defeat in the general election, Jeremy Corbyn instead achieved a stunning upset-a hung parliament, the humiliation of Theresa May's government, and more than 40% of the vote.
A lifelong and uncompromising socialist, Corbyn had, against all expectations, been dramatically elected leader of the Labour party in September 2015. In the space of less than two years he had progressed from 200-1 outsider for the Labour Party leadership to become an apparent Prime Minister-in-waiting.
How these events came about is the subject of Alex Nunn's highly-readable and richly researched account.
Drawing on first-hand interviews with those involved in the leadership and general election campaigns, including Labour's most senior figures, Nunns traces the origins of Corbyn's ascent. Giving full justice to the dramatic swings and nail-biting tensions of an extraordinary moment in UK politics, Nunn's telling of a story that has received widespread attention but little understanding is as illuminating as it is entertaining. Selected by The Guardian as one of the best politics books of 2016, this updated edition includes a new prologue and revised introduction, and an extensive afterword that brings an incredible story right up to date.
"Fascinating... For anyone engaged in this movement, understanding precisely how we came to be where we are can only make us more effective as we go forward. That's why Alex Nunn's book is so important." - John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
"Unparalleled... A really riveting read... Outstanding". - Aaron Bastani, Novara Media
"Based on interviews with almost all the key players... a superb tour". - Leo Panitch, Red Pepper
"Detailed and compelling, and convincing about the roots of his success." - Rob Burley, The Andrew Marr Show
"Insightful... As far as the leader's closest allies are concerned, Nunns’ book is the most authoritative yet published on his rise". - Stephen Bush, The New Statesman
"Remarkable... Reads like a political thriller... Enormously exciting." - Red Labour
About The Author / Editor
Preview
"Wow," says John McDonnell, breaking the silence. Everyone in the room expected Jeremy Corbyn to win, but not by this much. The "unelectable" left-winger has just taken 59.5 per cent of the vote in a four-horse race.
The candidates and their campaign chiefs have been cooped up on the third floor of Westminster's vast Queen Elizabeth II conference centre for 40 minutes anxiously awaiting advance notice of the result. Deprived of their phones and iPads to prevent the news leaking out, they have been forced to make small talk. After a summer in which the contenders have whiled away countless hours backstage at hustings up and down the country, there is not much more to say. When the gruelling programme of events began, Corbyn was a 200/1 rank outsider. Today, 12 September 2015, he is about to become leader of the Labour Party.
After Iain McNicol, Labour's general secretary, reads out the fateful figures, Corbyn's defeated rivals-Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall-offer their congratulations. Corbyn and McDonnell reciprocate, thanking the others for a comradely contest. There are hugs, but it is all rather restrained. Yet inside, the victors are fit to burst. They are "gob-smacked" at the scale of the win.
When the result is publicly declared downstairs in the conference hall an hour or so later, the discordance of the audience reaction hints at the troubles ahead. There is wild cheering from some sections of the room. People literally jump out of their seats, shouting and punching the air. Hardened trade unionists are standing up chanting "Jez we did, Jez we did!" There is ecstasy and disbelief in the block reserved for Corbyn's campaign team. A few minutes earlier rumours had zipped along the rows that Corbyn had won 60 per cent, an idea his supporters dismissed, saying there was no way that could be right. Until the last moment, some feared the contest could yet be fixed or summarily cancelled. "You can't imagine that they will allow this to happen", said one.