Chief of Staff: An Insider's Account of Downing Street's Most Turb

The explanation of how of the events of this period played out are really interesting and give a different view of what happened during this eventful time. It is a must read for anyone interested in politics and how decisions are made behind the door of No 10.

Gavin Barwell give a good account of his time in Downing st.Brexit particularly takes a lot of the book up,As it should.But Theresa May was the architect of the policy that caught the Windrush generation the full horror of which is difficult to read.Deprived of services, jobs,state aid these legitimate UK citizens were treated viciously and uncaringly some deported by the state.And many are still awaiting compensation! . And during her time in office[and Cameron too] the Post office corrosive, unlawful and brutal campaign sent many postmasters to prison who were totally innocent of invented charges of fraud.Government ministers had oversight of the post office but did not enquire too much during the process even tho' the prosecution nos were dramatically increasing:now there is proper judge led inquiry.None of that is mentioned in Barwells book.It is to be hoped that post Office Management,ministers and Civil servants if found guilty face criminal prosecution.But even so they will not suffer the outrages and for some postmasters,suicide that these prosecutions brought about. The best Civil Service in the world is often the boast .It can be and was here the most uncaring ,cold and indifferent to justice.

As a book, probably one for politics nerds or those with an interest in learning more about the Brexit shenanagins and political manoeuvring towards the end of the May administration. May unsurprisingly comes out of it with credit, but then this book is written by an acolyte.The occasional typo made me wish for a better proof reader, and there were occasional longeurs, for me at least. Nonetheless an intriguing account of some politically interesting and turbulent times.

Really well written and interesting insight into the way Westminster works. Obviously defends May and threads very carefully around some of the characters that were involved in the Brexit stalemate. You feel he could have been a lot more critical of some of those involved, but that doesn't detract from the book

Fascinating insight into how governments work as seen from the inside. It also clearly shows it was a miracle that anyone remained sane through the May government, surrounded on all sides by people who all thought if they just held on long enough they would get their way without compromising.