Member Reviews

"Politics but Better" by Tatton Spiller is a refreshingly insightful guide that demystifies the often overwhelming world of politics. Spiller does an excellent job of breaking down complex political concepts and presenting them in a way that's both accessible and engaging. The book is well-structured, making it easy for readers of all backgrounds to follow along and grasp the nuances of political systems, processes, and debates.

One of the standout features of this book is its balanced approach. Spiller doesn't push a particular agenda but instead encourages readers to think critically and form their own opinions. His writing is clear, concise, and often infused with a touch of humor, which keeps the material from becoming too dense.

While the book is incredibly informative, I felt that it could have included more real-world examples to illustrate some of the points made. However, this is a minor critique in what is otherwise an excellent resource for anyone looking to better understand the political landscape.

Overall, "Politics but Better" is a must-read for those who want to engage more thoughtfully with politics without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you're a seasoned political junkie or just starting to dip your toes into the subject, this book offers valuable insights and a fresh perspective on how politics can be both approachable and impactful.

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What a refreshing read this was! I feel more confident in my knowledge of politics now thanks to the clear way this book covers all the topics. I also feel much more hopeful for the future! Some great ideas in here and I loved the way it looked at things from different angles .Thank you Tatton!

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Thanks to the publiser and NetGalley for the e-ARC. This is a really helpful and clear guide and manifesto into what politics is and how it can be improved.

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I have always since I remember had an interest in politics, it was a small part of my family and always included in my upbringing.
I have followed Simple Politics for a while, they have helped me navigate various topics in particular where it all feels overwhelming as they have this wonderful way of putting the information out there in a calm and concise manner. This same feeling can be felt throughout this book, where we are taken on a journey to where small changes could yield big results and how we can make a difference even at times it may feel like we are unable to.
Personally I didn’t find myself agreeing with his proposed changes or opinions at times, however the book is written very well and was thought provoking. I in particular related to where he discusses the idea of echo chambers and how that affects politics. As a migrant who has resided in England for many years I very much created my own echo chamber when it came to people discussing Brexit as this was something which was going to affect me greatly and I had no say in it and watching as people argued over my rights became too difficult. I resolved this by creating an echo chamber where everyone mostly has the same opinions, which is not perhaps the best solution. As Tatton suggest in his book we need to have the difficult conversations, we need to try and come together to try and bring about change, and together we can.

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As I write, the UK is on the cusp of a general election. I'm feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information that's being thrust at me through my door, on TV, let alone my phone; you can imagine... And so, when I was offered the opportunity to read and review this book (thanks to @netgalley and @elliotandthompson ), written by @TattonSpiller of @simplepolitics, I definitely did a little happy dance at my desk.

For those of you unfamiliar with Simple Politics, they became my guiding light during the pandemic as they sorted through the tsunami of information and presented it in an even- handed, understandable way, which really has become their trademark. This book definitely follows that style and is incredibly easy reading, with lots of positive and encouraging ideas as to how we could make British politics more robust, transparent and relevant to people from all walks of life.

Considering topics from A to Z, pausing en route to consider topics ranging from deportations to Rwanda, the role of the Church of England in our political landscape, and negative political merchandise, this book really challenges the perception that all British politics is bad, and that we are powerless to create change within our (currently broken) system.

Spiller is not arguing for completely ripping up the rule book and starting from scratch. He suggests simple tweaks that could enable politicians and voters to understand and communicate with one another more effectively.

This book is an absolute must if you feel underinformed, fatigued, or frustrated with the status quo. I'm not saying this book will change everything, but it might just give you hope for the future. You may not agree with everything it says, but it might just encourage you to see things from a different angle.

I think there are two quotes that are worth including here, as they kind of encapsulate the message of the book. The first one is from Jo Cox, an MP who was murdered in 2016. She said: ' We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us. The final word goes to the author, Tatton Spiller. He writes 'We have to dream. We have to act. We have to find a more hopeful future. We have to make politics better. Peace and love, Tatton'

This fabulous and accessible book, which originally published in hardback last year is publishing in paperback in mid-August.

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As a former member of Youth Politics, even just the introduction brought tears to my eyes. I've followed the SImple Politicis Page for quite some time now and to me, Spiller has always been able to uphold the essence of Politics through it: coming together and changing the world from "it has always been this way" to "but what if it were different?"

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I’ve been a follower of Simple Politics for years, they helped me navigate the pandemic and other political events through a calm and reassuring tone of voice. Spiller takes that same tone into this book, educating and informing the reader on the current political climate and what could be done to build a more successful political future. While I didn’t personally agree with him on certain ideas or opinions, I found the book to be well written and entertaining. Spiller brings the same self deprecating jokes and slightly optimistic commentary to this book as he does his social media page, and I have to commend him for providing a constant reassuring voice throughout the minefield that is politics.

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From the founder of Simple Politics comes a guide on how we can rediscover the heart of our democracy, reshape our political system and make the UK a better place for all.

With all the issues we hear which occurs at No.10 and it's surroundings (especially over the past few years!) it is no wonder so many have lost faith in politics! However, Tatton Spiller brings to light twenty six issues in this A-Z guide and makes suggestions on how we can deal with them putting humanity and respect at the very forefront.

Perhaps there is hope after all.

I have always had an interest in politics but in our twenty four hour always on world it can be so incredibly difficult to keep up - not to mention anxiety inducing! That is where Simple Politics is incredibly useful as if you visit their Instagram you will see you get the facts, which are always partial, and they explain things in a way which the average person can understand. As a result of following them for years- I was very excited to see this book which was written by the founder!

The book is split in an A-Z style- each letter representing a different issue which is present in politics. This was a brilliant way to touch on many different issues, which were discussed partially, drawing upon evidence, as well as suggestions being made on how we could approach certain issues.

Tatton presents his thoughts in a unbiased way and draws upon examples from both the left and right, which makes this book a decent read no matter where you sit on the political scale. My only slight draw back is that there was a chapter which explained the values of conservatism but we didn't get a similar chapter on the left and I think that would have made a wonderful addition especially for a reader who may be completely new to politics and/or someone who may have never opened their mind to the other viewpoint.

When I finished this book the main thing I took was we need to do better. We live in a world where you do something wrong- you get cancelled. You have an opinion- it if it doesn't suit the majority then you receive unwarranted abuse. Throughout the book we are encouraged to be able to have debates, to listen to each other and to respect different opinions which I thought was such an important message.

Overall, a very enlightening read. I really hope one day we can see respect at the heart of our government again - Tatton for PM?

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