Rake's Progress: My Political Midlife Crisis

Rachel Johnson, born into a political family, avoided the family business and pursued a broadcasting, novelist, and journalist career. However, after the EU referendum in 2016, she felt compelled to stand for something, leading to her political career. Rachel Johnson's book, Rakes Progress, chronicles her brief political career, including challenges, silences, and curses from David Cameron. It highlights the importance of standing up for beliefs and the realities of life in the public eye.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2020
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Born into what has been described by some as the UK's most famous political family, and by others as 'Poundshop Kennedys', Rachel Johnson was always eager to forge her own path as a broadcaster, novelist, and journalist, shunning the family business at all costs. However, after the UK's referendum on leaving the EU in 2016, fate seemed to intervene with a heavy hand. When an insurgent center party burst onto the political scene in 2019, Johnson felt compelled to stand for something, rather than remain a bystander, coinciding with her older brother Boris's final assault on Downing Street. As some jokingly remarked, she entered politics to spend more time with her family.

Rakes Progress unfolds the extraordinary story of what transpired next. From the radio's long silences when faced with tricky policy questions to the loud curses of David Cameron during tennis matches, Johnson candidly reveals all about her brief political career. Taking on Ann Widdecombe and the Brexit Party, could she and her party make history or become a forgotten footnote in the ever-rolling omnishambles of British politics?

Beyond Johnson's personal narrative, Rakes Progress underscores the significance of standing up for one's beliefs and the complexities of life in the public eye. It takes readers behind the scenes, from the campaign trail to the 'Westminster bubble' and the carpeted corridors of power. Written with great honesty and self-deprecating humor, this book offers a revealing glimpse into the human side of politics.

Weight: 230g
Dimension: 130 x 199 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471190438