Gripping story of pride and downfall during the High Tory period
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If you love to be outraged by corrupt Tories, you will love this book. This tightly-written story of Porter's rise to power, the unbelievable actions she took in pursuit of her dodgy policies make an enthralling political page-turner.
Normally, an account of anyone's career in local politics would stand out only for its dullness. Not so here.
Hoskens was on to a winner from the outset, given the outrages and scandals of the Porter administration of Westminster. I was broadly familiar with the events described, yet still found this to be enjoyable and comprehensive. Explanations of how the finances and electoral system function are necessary, and provided but at no point do these details burden the story, or stop the flow.
It should be stressed that this book is no mere personal attack on Porter, who had become a figure of hate in London well before all the facts came out, as those who were around at the time will remember. In fact he charts her early years with some sympathy, when instead of receiving the necessary training, Porter was shut out of the family businesses. In addition, he gives Porter credit for standing up to the porn pedlers of Soho, amongs other things.
Many will judge her actions to have been immoral and criminal. But Hoskens shows that others were also to blame. In addition to those who went along with her policies for personal gain - professional and pecunary - Hoskins makes a convincing condemnation of the political system that was unable to assert the rule of law, and a Conservative party, unable to contain its ambitious rising star, hungry for power, despite the widespread misgivings.
However, the focus of this story must be the Homes for Votes scandal, and Porter's subsequent attempts to evade justice, to the point of exiling herself from Britain. Porters ability to rationalise The pure inhumane wickedness of consigning poor people to live in dangerous accommodation, almost certainly harmful to their health was, in my opinion, a significant wake-up call. It caused many people who were not politically engaged to reject the Tories in London.
Apparently, Porter is still unable to admit any wrongdoing, at least in public, preferring to exile herself than accept the judgement of the courts and district auditors. However those who read this book will be in no doubt of her responsibility, and will breathe a sigh of relief that this period is over.
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a reminder of where the 'loonies' really were.
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An excellent read, and tidy reminder of an absurd period of our recent history. Anyone who didn't live through Westminster in the eighties should read this. And even if you did, as I did, the sheer level of blithe corruption, disregard for human life, and gerrymandering by the Tory administration still manages to shock. Most tellingly, no-one involved has yet apologised. That says everything.
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Doing the unthinkable.
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In this book, Andrew Hosken does the unthinkable - he makes local government interesting.
Though councillors and wards and district auditors may people off normally, this book is a fascinating, detailed and - in parts - amusing biography of Dame Shirley Porter.
Only one word word sum up this book, and - indeed - the scandals it illustrates: "riveting"
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utterly absorbing account of corruption in the capital city
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Andrew Hosken was the BBC reporter who discovered where Shirley Porter's missing millions were, a feat that had eluded Westminster Council for years. Now, in this immensely readable and well-researched page-turner, Mr Hosken shows how Shirley Porter, a rather dim but immensely wealthy housewife, managed to grab control of Westminster Council and then abuse her powers to commit some of the most grotesque acts of political corruption in the history of UK democracy. Putting young vulnerable families into asbestos-ridden tower-blocks demonstrates the morally bankruptcy of the Porter regime. Hosken also shows how "Dame Shirley" used her "businessman" son John Porter to hide her inherited fortune. It is not clear whether there will be a sequel. So far Shirley Porter has only paid back £12 million; so there is another £31 million owed. Also, she signed a sworn affidavit to say that she was only worth £300,000. As Mr Hosken reveals, this was yet another lie from a woman who revelled in her own mendacity - but he does not make it clear whether or not she will face prosecution for this. In a sad and sordid tale, some heroes do emerge: Cliff Stanford, the business genius who created Demon Internet; outspoken Labour Councillor Paul Dimoldenburg; and Patricia Kirwen, a courageous Conservative who took on the Porter machine. Victims of the Porters can draw one small grain of comfort: Cliff Stanford describes the inept John Porter as a "serial destroyer of other people's money". Amongst those "other people", as Andrew Hosken reveals, were none other than Shirley and her late husband Leslie. At least Tesco shareholders benefitted from Porter's career in local government. They will want to send garlands of flowers to Lord Maclaurin who prevented Shirley and her equally inept son John from getting on to the board of the supermarket giant.
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Nothing Like a Dame
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As someone who was actually a part of this period of history, particularly that part associated with the Walterton and Elgin Estate, I was not in the least bit suprised by this book. As per usual it repeats the usual mantras about Shirley Porter that have been written so many times before and by better writers than Hosken. Of course, one can only decide whether such mantras are true when one gets both sides of the story. But will the other side ever get their chance or have the spin doctors won? The dust cover claims meticulous research - but gets the address of one of the main characters wrong! It also makes no mention of the opposition to the 'campaign' by the Walterton and Elgin Action Group to 'save our homes' mounted not by Porter, but by residents themselves who were actually in favour of the plans. As I say, if you want a book that confirms your view about Dame Shirley that many others have led you to have, then this book is for you.
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