Honourable Friends: Parliament and the Fight for Change

(Paperback)

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Caroline Lucas is an outsider, inside, fighting for parliamentary reform and for the interests of her constituents. She is a politician with a radical mission and a clear vision of how change can be achieved. From the NHS to corporate tax evasion, from climate change to immigration, Honourable Friends tells the story of 5 years in Westminster and offers bold and practical suggestions for a fairer British political system. It is a unique book by a unique politician and activist.

Reviews

[An] important book... Lucas, as one of the world's bravest and most principled politicians, is perfectly positioned to share hard-won wisdom that will help us -- Naomi Klein
An honest, absorbing and often very funny look at how British democracy really works. Lucas makes a compelling case for the radical reform of our arrogantly outdated political system -- Melissa Benn
Caroline Lucas was a breath of fresh air when she was elected as Britain's first Green MP in 2010. This book is an account of her experiences in parliament. Read it -- Larry Elliott
It is typical of Caroline that her book should use the personal story of her first term in office to dissect Parliament and what is wrong with it, it is also typical that she has some ideas on how to fix it. If you have ever flirted with the notion that no MP is worth voting for I would recommend you read this book -- Mark Thomas
This account of Lucas's experiences in Westminster reads like the field journal of an incredulous anthropologist stumbling on an unusual tribe... Even more powerfully, it opens the door on a political past we are condemned to live with and sniffs the stale air of an institution to which we outsource our democracy -- Andrew Simms * Guardian *
Without a doubt, Caroline Lucas is a one-woman force for good... She brings integrity and clarity, consistency and generosity to a parliament all too frequently devoid of all four qualities -- Alan Simpson * Resurgence & Ecologist *
For all those who want to understand better how Parliament works and how deficient it is in delivering the radical social and environmental agenda now so desperately needed, this is the book for you to read... [Lucas] is an inspiration to us all -- Michael Meacher MP
Caroline Lucas is a fighting, campaigning MP who courageously stands up for her beliefs and many of the key defining issues of social, economic and environmental justice, so it is a relief that she has put down her Parliamentary experiences. These words will empower and inspire all of us who believe our democracy is under threat, and desperately want to do something about it -- Owen Jones
You could read Lucas's book as an effective summary of key debates on the UK's future. But even more powerfully, it opens the door on a political past we are condemned to live with and sniffs the stale air of an institution to where we outsource our democracy. Stepping back, it is not Lucas who looks all alone in Westminster but Westminster that looks odd and out of place in the world. Far from hanging up swords, you suspect that, by the end of the book, many more readers will want to take up theirs to campaign for change -- Andrew Simms * Guardian *
Timely... Thoughtful and straight-talking; anecdotal and highly readable -- Vanessa Baird * New Internationalist *
Honourable Friends reflects Lucas's genuine passion and commitment, her honesty and vision. A wonderfully refreshing and empowering read -- John Green * Morning Star *
Most engaging -- Stephen Wood * Northern Echo *
Frank individuality makes this engaging * The Gazette *

Author Bio

CAROLINE LUCAS is the MP for Brighton Pavilion. Leader of the Green Party from 2008 to 2012, she is a vice-president of the RSPCA, a CND national council member and a vice-president of the Stop the War Coalition. She has several times been voted Ethical Politician of the Year and was awarded MP of the Year in 2014.