Iain Dale

Boris Johnson, the UK's new Prime Minister, has ruled out holding an early general election. But, as we've seen, anything can happen in today's politics. There are few politicians who could genuinely be described as a phenomenon. Boris Johnson is undoubtedly one. With a shake of that foppish blond mop, a glimmer of his madcap smile and the voice of a demented public school boy, Boris provides comedy gold every time he opens his erudite mouth. The allure of this blundering rapscallion to many on the Tory benches and to the membership of the Conservative Party at large is all too obvious. He says what few others will say in public and, indeed, he will do so on the record - appearing to care little what people think of him or his views. This book is big on fun, comedy, life and spirit. Containing a selection of the very finest Boris-isms and illustrated by specially commissioned cartoons, The Big Book of Boris is a highly amusing read, straight from the gaffe-strewn mouth of Britain's most colourful politician.

Located in the heart of London’s East End, the Thames Ironworks might be described as characteristic of the industrial and social landscape of the Victorian era. This successful enterprise, headed by the respected Hills family, undertook projects in shipping, civil engineering, electrical engineering and motoring. But as well as providing employment, the ironworks was also central to the social lives of its workers. Its football team, founded by Arnold Hills in 1895, was destined to become world famous as West Ham United. Author Brian Belton explores how the Victorian values of commercialism, religion, philanthropy and patriarchy that made this giant of industry a success were inextricably linked with a sense of fair play, competitive spirit and the growth of football as a national obsession. Peppered with the songs and memories of a treasured cockney region, this is an entertaining portrait of ships, industry, sport and, most of all, the people of the Docklands communities that relied on the ironworks for their daily bread.

The NHS is an institution close to the hearts of most Britons. People even profess to 'love it'. But it is now of pensionable age and, some would say, no longer fit for purpose. It isn't possible to reform the NHS until we accept that it cannot meet every demand made of it. We need to embrace the private sector rather than belittle or restrict it. This book does not seek to denigrate or dismantle the NHS, but to identify the issues that need to be addressed head on, whichever party is in power. It will make uncomfortable reading for some. Putting patient care and outcomes at the top of his personal manifesto for the NHS, Iain Dale slams the indecision and political dogma of successive health secretaries, but is firmly of the view that with GBP120 billion being spent on the NHS, it's impossible to take politics out of it. This is a must read for anyone who works in the NHS - or who uses it. It's time to say the things that need to be said.

When Margaret Thatcher speaks, the whole world listens. Her political career has spanned five decades and love her or hate her, her influence on world politics is undeniable. From her followers she inspires devotion, from her detractors she induces unprecedented venom - but they listen all the same. Margaret Thatcher is the most quoted British political leader since Winston Churchill and in this unique collection of quotations are the most memorable. Some quotes are funny, many are inspirational, most are thoughtful - but they are all unforgettable. As well as Margaret Thatcher's own words, the book contains many quotes from her political allies and opponents, as well as from the foreign leaders to whom she invariably gave a good handbagging. On the day of her resignation as Prime Minister, Kenneth Baker said we would never see her like again. So far he has been proved right.

This volume brings together for the first time the British Labour Political Party General Election Manifestos, dating back to 1900, and including the most recent General Election manifesto of 1997. The project provides an indispensible source of data about the Labour Party's political ideologies and policy positions, as well as charting their changes over time. The volume has a new introduction written by Dennis Kavanagh, who is Professor of Politics at Liverpool University, and who has already published Political Science and Political Behaviour with Routledge. In addition to the new introduction, the volume includes a comprehensive index, making the volume easy to use.

This volume brings together for the first time the British Labour Political Party General Election Manifestos, dating back to 1900, and including the most recent General Election manifesto of 1997. The project provides an indispensible source of data about the Labour Party's political ideologies and policy positions, as well as charting their changes over time. The volume has a new introduction written by Dennis Kavanagh, who is Professor of Politics at Liverpool University, and who has already published Political Science and Political Behaviour with Routledge. In addition to the new introduction, the volume includes a comprehensive index, making the volume easy to use.