The Power of Politicians takes readers inside the workings of Parliament via an autobiographical account of Tessa Jowell’s own experience of entering politics as an MP. Jowell offers fascinating insights into the workings of Parliament and sheds light on the successful pathways for developing policy into final legislation. The details of the inner workings of politics are interwoven with a powerful personal narrative, as Jowell offers a firsthand account of the role of women in contemporary political life.

With former Lord Speaker Frances D’Souza serving as Jowell’s interlocutor, this book provides a passionate and inspiring interpretation on moral duty. Ultimately, The Power of Politicians offers not just a case study of the life and everyday work of a politician, but also attends to deeper questions about what is demanded from the political class. The overall result is a nothing less than a master class in how to be a good politician.

Tessa Jowell is an English Labour Party politician and was Member of Parliament from 1992 to 2015. She was Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport between 2001 and 2007. Frances D’Souza is a British scientist and Lord Temporal. She was previously Lord Speaker, having held the office from September 2011 to August 2016. Claire Foster-Gilbert is currently member of the British Medical Association’s Medical Ethics Committee, Unilever’s Central Research Ethics Advisory Committee, and the McDonald Centre for public theology and ethics.

— 2018 Parliamentary Book Award for “Best Memoir by a Parliamentarian”