Peter Geoghegan

I am being most unfair by docking this title of a star. The author has worked hard to produce sound evidence of the fall of democratic trustworthiness. Let us be honest, politicians are never high on a list of trusted professionals so, you may admire their ability to slip further but, it is possible.

Money talks and it is seeping into British politics with ever increasing ease. We Brits have, for many years, looked down our noses at those tasteless Americans, scoffed at President Trump and "known our superiority". Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage have proved that we were in error. At the last General Election, my local MP, in humble Great Yarmouth, was given £50,000 by a couple of Russian donors who do not live, or own business interests within the area. This was perfectly legal but, one has to ask what they wanted in return. The political system would have you believe that they want nothing and that the money is given for the improvement of the country. When was the last time that you gave a significant sum of money with no expected return? (Not counting close family members!)

Not only does this book look at the fiscal defrauding of politics, it also reviews on line political advertising. Bare faced lies can be distributed, with the party's logo attached. The lie may be taken down at some stage, but it will have done its duty by then. It will have been sent only to those susceptible to the message: your every move, keyboard click and almost thought are recorded by helpful Big Brother.

Finally, that unfair reason for deducting a star: there is so little likelihood of anything changing. Presumably, the winning party in an election, has used the system more effectively than their opponents: why would they want to change the system?

Orwell was correct; Big Brother is watching you...… (altro)