Taken As Red: How Labour Won Big and the Tories Crashed the Party

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The inside story of the most seismic election in a generation
Featuring exclusive interviews with more than 100 political insiders including Rachel Reeves, Wes Streeting, Kwasi Kwarteng, Nigel Farage and leading Lib Dems, Greens and SNP figures.
In Taken As Red acclaimed political journalist Anushka Asthana takes us behind the scenes of the 2024 general election campaign.

As the political landscape undergoes a seismic shift, this gripping account provides an unprecedented insiders perspective on the inner workings of Keir Starmers Labour and Rishi Sunaks Conservatives, and the events of this high-stakes electoral contest as it unfolded.

With unparalleled access to key players and exclusive insights, it delves into the strategic decisions, campaign dynamics and unexpected twists that defined the election. From the battle bus to the corridors of power, Asthana analyses just how the result came about. Was it evidence of Labours strategic brilliance or the inevitable result of a spiralling decline of trust in the Tories And what of Reforms role

Lively, analytical and compelling, Taken As Red reveals the calculated gambles and innovative strategies at play, and the people behind them. And in doing so, it looks forward as well as back.

Reviews

The 2024 general election is likely to be the most important for many decades. No one will explain it better than Anushka Asthana, whose storytelling, contacts and analysis are second to none. This will be an unmissable political book. Robert Peston

Over many years as a reporter Anushka has got under the skin of politics. She knows all the key players intimately, but never forgets that the most important thing is to understand the voters. With her expertise, insight and empathy, plus her tenacious reporting skills, there are few journalists better placed than Anushka to write a book on the next election. Katharine Viner, Editor-in-chief, The Guardian

Anushka is one of the best political reporters out there as comfortable delivering top-level analysis from Westminster as she is reporting human stories around the country. This book is sure to be a must-read on 2024s critical general election. Esme Wren, Editor, Channel 4 News

In a world full of political noise, rhetoric, and showboating you need a voice who can cut through that storm with authority, ease, warmth and intellect. Anushka is that voice: a masterful interviewer, and an utterly brilliant storyteller. Charlene White, presenter

Speaking with Anushka, hearing the empathy and warmth in her voice, was the most reassured I have ever felt by a reporter. That is a very rare quality to have, someone who Ive never met has taken my story into her heart. Shes a great reporter who will write a great book. Janet Skinner, Post Office scandal victim

Author Bio

Anushka Asthana is deputy political editor at ITV News, previously the Guardian's political editor and host of the Today in Focus podcast. She has also been senior political correspondent at Sky News, and before that chief political correspondent and columnist at The Times. She was shortlisted for political journalist of the year by the Press Gazette in 2023. She can be found on X as @AnushkaAsthana.