How Labour Wins

‘A timely and brilliantly illuminating book that offers much needed context to the 2024 general election. It takes us back to Labour’s early elections and up to modern times, challenging orthodoxies about why Labour loses and how it wins. A must read.’ Steve Richards, BBC Radio 4 Week in Westminster and host of Rock and Roll Politics

‘If Labour is to flourish in power, it needs to know much more about its history. Reading this book would be an excellent starting point for its leaders and followers.’ Anthony Seldon

‘A fascinating exploration of the party – an indispensable guide to understanding what Labour once was and what it’s become.’ The Herald on Sunday

‘Here will be a particularly worthy stocking filler for any politico wanting to press pause and reflect on all that’s gone on in the past frantic 10 to 20 years … the spats, dramas and memories along the way will all come flooding back with this lively, convincing read’ Richard Osley, Camden New Journal

‘Labour’s record in government shows that Attlee and Blair were in the top rank of change-making Prime Ministers, and Wilson not far behind. An inspirational history.’ Alastair Campbell

‘An interesting and enjoyable read’ The House

‘If you’re interested in politics, history and the Labour Party and want answers about their electoral performance, pick up this book and read it.’ The Indiependent

‘An outstanding book about Labour party election performances over the course of more than a century – and even more importantly, an invaluable and terrific guide to Labour party politics. Highly recommended.’ Peter Frankopan

DOUGLAS BEATTIE grew up in Dumfriesshire, studied politics at Glasgow University and is an award-winning former BBC journalist, author and Labour insider. He has first-hand experience of elections having stood for Parliament as the Scottish Labour candidate for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale in the 2017 General Election and also been a Labour councillor. He now lives in London and works as a trade union media and political director. Douglas Beattie is fascinated by tribal divisions and his previous book is an acclaimed history of British football derbies, The Rivals Game, Inside the British Derby.