'The End of The Party' by Andrew Rawnsley

This book, which charts the descent of New Labour from the height of its powers after a thumping election victory in 2001 to its final, chaotic months in 2010 is as much a psychodrama as a political history.

And at the head of that drama are the protagonists (or should that be antagonists?) of the era - Messrs Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Andrew Rawnsley's story, whilst taking entertaining diversions into the vibrant personalities of John Prescott and Peter Mandelson amongst others, constantly returns to the flawed relationship between the two erstwhile friends.

Brown in particular is portrayed as a braying, authoritarian bully and there is a Jekyll and Hyde theme to Rawnsley's version of him which seems to chime with many of his public appearances. Often ill at ease with himself and uncomfortable with scrutiny, many of Brown's qualities such as his ability to negotiate deals in private with foreign counterparts never improved his popularity.

Conversely, Blair, as master actor and storyteller, was an expert at manipulating how others perceived him. Both in private and in public, Rawnsley takes us into the world of quick summaries, snap decisions and a theatrical, autocratic leadership style that characterised the Blair years.

Indeed, such leadership lent itself to the big, idealistic themes of Tony Blair's pet projects. This style served him well in Northern Ireland, negotiating tirelessly until a deal was reached. Unfortunately, such free thinking did not lend itself to a more ill advised venture into foreign affairs that later defined his premiership.

The relentless march by the British Government towards the Iraq War, as The End of The Party would have it, was characterised by a series of cock ups and notable by the panic that the prospect induced in a reluctant cabinet.

Whilst several forests worth of text have been written on the divisive subject of Iraq, The End of The Party is worth reading for this section alone, which provides a damning summary of a Prime Minister lured into a war by a hawkish President on the other side of the Atlantic.

The detail of the relationship between Blair and George W. Bush is astonishing. Quite what level of access Andrew Rawnsley actually had to private conversations they are supposed to have had is unclear. Whilst it is certain that he has multiple sources within the Blair camp, it seems far fetched that the recollections of any aide of the Prime Minister would include even off the cuff remarks by their boss.

Nonetheless, Rawnsley's mastery of detail is a tremendous asset that is combined with his naturally readable style to produce a work of history that reads more like a well written thriller. The only drawback with his style is that each page often requires re reading as three topics or a minor crisis are squeezed in. He clearly had much to cover when writing the book but at times the effect can be a little disorienting.

As are the brief forays into satire, for example, on eduction reform John Prescott is referred to as 'A big obstacle'. Whilst this is something of a cheap shot, there is a notable reduction in the number of humerous lines as Rawnsley takes us into the Brown years.

Gordon Brown's odd portrayal as a combination of Macbeth and Henry IV continues as he enters Number 10. His regime is characterised as well intentioned but disorganized. This perception is little helped by the man himself, whose moodswings seemed to become more extreme under the pressure of being Prime Minister.

Only at the moment of his greatest crisis during the early days of the Credit Crunch does Brown emerge with much credit from this book. He is otherwise seen as a hesitant and unpredictable leader whose thirst for the top job was not matched by his competence in it.

Whilst Rawnsley is wholesome in his praise of Brown for his handling of the Credit Crunch (which is no doubt irksome to more Tory inclined readers) he is brutal in his excoriation of him for the non existent election in 2007, the mishandling of Northern Rock and his general public demeanor.

Indeed, the book ends with Labour's future uncertain as Brown heads for defeat, the man himself seen by his own ranks as preoccupied by the media's disquiet.

Whilst the edition I read does not cover the indecisive result of the 2010 election, it provides a tremendous summary of Labour's successes and failures during the later part of its time in power. It is worth reading for the soapy melodrama of Blair and Brown's colossal rows but there is much else to admire and enjoy in this one.

Not just for the politics geek either - a worthwhile read for anyone who watches the news.

Disclaimer 1: I do not own the rights to the (frankly brilliant) photograph that accompanies this blog post and will remove it at the request of the owner.

Disclaimer 2: Whilst many of you will be aware of my political leanings (slightly left of centre), I have tried to make the preceding review as apolitical as possible. Please tell me if you think I have succeeded or otherwise.