Anthony Sampson (1926–2004)

This book was written in 2005 and so, it is beginning to show signs of dating but, it does perfectly illustrate the way in which Great Britain plc is not really run by anybody. An amalgam of interested parties, with financial clout, pull this way and that, in their own interest and the country meanders after them.

The more that one thinks about this, the more it strikes as the truth. No wonder nobody has been able to lead the people to the promised land offered by each political party: they have a small amount of power, but are by no means in control.

The danger of this book is that it can very easily lead to a fatalistic perspective: if no one has control, then no one can take control from them and fundamental change is not possible. I can't think of an argument against this perspective, but I refuse to lay back and accept the mess that we're making of our world.… (more)