My journey discovering and reading ‘All Out War’ was a peculiar one. I never intended to buy the book until one Monday morning; the Monday after I had finished my GCSE exams, to be precise. I was treating myself in town, enjoying my own company, had bought some new Converse to wear over the summer. Before I left, I went into Waterstones, simply to see what was there. ‘All Out War’ was on the front table, the first thing you see as you walk in (unless you’re more focused on the stairs, desperately running up them two at a time, as your specific book that MUST be quickly purchased is found upstairs). Anyway, I digress (as I do most of the time). Oh look, I did it again! What bought ‘All Out War’ to my attention was not that it was a political book, not that is was so long but, you guessed it, the excellent political cartoon of David Cameron’s European Union boxers being ripped to shreds by Boris Johnson’s uncontrollable British bulldog. It was an excellent cartoon that perfectly represented the European Union referendum. I glanced inside and was amazed by the amount of praise devoted to the book. Journalists, columnists and newspapers on the left, centre and right all heaping buckets of praise onto this newly found book of mine. Given how interested in politics I am (if you hadn’t already guessed) and how I, at the time, intended to (and now definitely am taking) take politics at A-level, it was an essential purchase. For my 16th birthday, it was one of the many books I received. And what a superb read it was.
Written by the political editor of ‘The Sunday Times’ Tim Shipman, ‘All Out War’ was a book that had to be written. The reasons for the referendum, the events of the campaign, the final result and ensuing Tory and Labour leadership elections would all need to be explained to generations to come. It was such a defining part of our history, with the EU affecting so many aspects of our lives. Whether we left or remained, the campaign and the issues raised would be essential for future generations to see why we voted the way we did. Now we’re leaving, a book explaining what happened was a given. Shipman captures the ‘what’ side excellently. He also manages to explain ‘why’ these events happened, going into detail about the different wings, groups, pressure teams (call them what you will) affecting the final way we voted. I enjoyed reading about how Cameron thought a referendum on the European Union was essential to avoid UKIP defects and the destruction of the Tory party. Personally, I think David Cameron called the referendum for the wrong reasons (never wanting one in the first place), but was right to give people a say. While the UKIP defections may now be non-existent, I wouldn’t be so sure about an end to Tory splits… I found it extremely pleasing to read that Shipman had conducted over 100 interviews with people when writing this account, for many reasons. Conducting interviews from the Remain/Leave, May/Johnson/Gove/Leadsom camps allowed all sides to be heard. Of course, the interviews weren’t entirely for opinion, instead based around what and why events happened. Interviews from all sides’ means accusation of bias are fairly non-existent, as each camp was given a fair account when interviewing. It was pleasing the author, Shipman, was an impartial political journalist, with a duty to state the facts. While books of the EU referendum written by openly Remain/Leave people focusing almost entirely on the Remain/Leave campaign have a place, I think it would lead to people only reading the account of the side they supported in the first place. With ‘All Out War’, developed narratives of both camps lead to greater clarity and, though I can’t be sure, probably higher readership. The number of interviews conducted meant the account was far more likely to be accurate to actual events. Alas, we will never know the full conversations that took place at key points, but interviewing over 100 people is far more likely to create an accurate resemblance than just 6. Seeing a counterclaim to an interview (in the case of what text had been sent to Boris Johnson during the leadership campaign) was remarkably honest and helpful to see. If only other political books were so honest. ‘All Out War’ excellently revealed the number of mistakes remain made that, ultimately, lead to its downfall. David Cameron, by keeping the Conservative party’s position as neutral, lost the Stronger In campaign £7 million: the entire budget of Vote Leave. By putting party before country, the remain campaign lost millions that could have gone towards focus groups, campaigning and making a positive, emotive case for Europe. David Cameron also put his party first by refusing to explicit condemn Boris Johnson and Michael Gove in speeches they made. Instead of openly criticising their true loyalty to ‘Vote Leave’, Cameron and Osborne would make vague references to what they were saying. I know fighting personalities is always worse than fighting policies, but in such a binary vote, it is sometimes necessary. Shipman also revealed how the Labour leadership were no better, in places worse. It was obvious Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell were Eurosceptics, but as they chose to support remain, they should have dedicated their heart and soul to a remain vote. Instead, the leader’s office often blocked press releases, changing words from ‘unanimous in support for remain’ to ‘vast majority in support for remain’, refused to attend speeches and instead presented the EU in a very negative manner. From reading, it was like the Labour leadership were moles for Vote Leave. It would have been honourable if Corbyn had chosen, on principle, to campaign to leave the EU. At least we would have known where he stood. By halfheartedly (some would say not even half) campaigning, I am sure the lack of a credible Labour message on the EU was for Labour voters, at best, unclear, at worst, making them vote leave. Reading the account, I disliked Boris Johnson’s sense of entitlement during the Tory leadership election. While it was clear he always wanted to be Prime Minister (and, let’s be honest, who hasn’t?), the degree at which he felt he must become Tory leader was shocking. This reminds me of Gordon Brown, utterly focused on being Prime Minister, believing he had a right to the job, because he didn’t stand in the 1994 Labour leadership election. It was also surprising, given his clear desire, the lack of planning he did. For example, from reading, it seemed Johnson only offered Andrea Leadsom a job to try and appease her from standing. By not posting a tweet and letter confirming this, therefore breaking his promise, Leadsom ended up standing. This is just one of many examples where Boris Johnson was shown to be incompetent. If he couldn’t run a leadership election properly, how an earth was he expected to run the country? I also believe the abuse directed at Michael Gove for ‘backstabbing’ Boris is unfair. While he could have been more honest with Boris about his concerns before himself standing, he had every right to be a candidate. He thought Boris could be PM. Gove then saw he couldn’t. What’s wrong with that? The structure of the book was appropriate, divided into three sections: pre-deal and referendum announcement, the campaign and aftermath. This helped the book to flow, as relevant pieces of information were in their ‘war’ section. You wouldn’t be mistaken for thinking the different sections represent the divisions within the country! I thought the premise of setting out a key part of the campaign, followed by remarks made in interviews was helpful for readers of all political understanding. In terms of structure, the book could have made more references to the 1975 referendum, in terms of similarities, differences and why it was called. The book could have also discussed rising anti-EU feeling since the start of the 21st century, particularly how disillusionment with the EU is not a recent ideology. Then again, I’m sure there are many books on both of those topics. Maybe I just like context too much! ‘All Out War’ was a worthy read this summer. When there was nothing to do at our family Christmas (see previous blogs), this book would always be out. It certainly got family members talking, especially admiring the awesome cartoon. The book taught me some things I already knew, but many things I didn’t know, some issues I had never even thought about. I’ve become far more interested in the workings of a campaign: the necessary things that need to be done to win, however awful they are. I would really recommend to anyone interested in politics. Whether you’re always on twitter following political journalists or just watching the news: invest in this book. Simply because, whatever your political alliance, the EU referendum, and its outcomes (I predict a follow up edition by Shipman) will shape this country’s future economically, socially, environmentally and how we are seen abroad. For better or for worse, leaving the EU will shape our lives and the lives of generations to come.
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