3 Review(s)

Against the Grain is a journey through the political career of Norman Baker, the independent-minded, and colourful, former Liberal Democrat MP, and a minister for state at the Home Office.For eighteen years, Baker was one of the most distinctive, outspoken and campaigning members of the House of Commons, famous for uncovering scandals and exposing conflicts of interest at the heart of Westminster.Norman Baker is all too aware of the absurdities of British political life. He writes also of a darker side, covering his investigations into the death of David Kelly, the ill-fated flight BA 149, and Baker's exposure of MPs' expenses. And he talks in depth about his successful campaign to force the resignation of Peter Mandelson.This compelling account lifts the lid on the workings of the coalition, particularly at the Department for Transport and the Home Office, and reveals much that will be relevant to the new Conservative government and of great interest to the general public.