This work, by a former editor of "The Times" and an instinctive Tory, argues that despite conservative propaganda the 1980's and early 1990's have seen a great increase in the centralization of power. Despite privatization, deregulation and devolution, the government asserted its control over schools, universities, the courts, local government, and the NHS. The book describes the situation, and asks what this means for democracy.
Simon Jenkins is the author of the bestselling books Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations, A Short History of England, England's Thousand Best Churches and England's Thousand Best Houses. He is the former editor of the Evening Standard and The Times, and a columnist for The Guardian and Evening Standard.
He has served as deputy chairman of English Heritage and chairman of the National Trust, was a founder member of SAVE Britain's Heritage and chaired the revision of the Pevsner guides from 1994 to 2011. He founded the Railway Heritage Trust and has served on the Boards of British Rail and London Transport. He lives in London and Aberdyfi.