Taken As Red: The Truth About Starmers Labour

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How Labour took power and what they're doing with it

'Taken As Red stands out for its balance and the depth of its reporting' The Guardian

'Revelatory and insightful.' Tim Shipman

In Taken As Red acclaimed political journalist Anushka Asthana takes us behind the scenes in the corridors of power to explain how and why Labour won office, and how their transformative and tumultuous first year in government has unfolded.

Starmer's government swept to power promising transformation tackling energy reform, housing shortages, and workers rights. But these ambitions swiftly collided with harsh economic realities, internal party dissent, and an increasingly polarized political climate. Number 10s attempts to maintain public trust while navigating a series of global crises have been under the microscope from day one.

Providing an unprecedented insiders perspective on the inner workings of the government, Asthana tracks the origins of Starmerism, and its key architect Morgan McSweeney, back to the mid-noughties to show how the Prime Ministers approach to campaigning and to governing was arrived at over many years of careful calibration and ruthless decision-making.

With exclusive insights from the key players, Asthana unpacks the pivotal decisions, strained personal relationships and unexpected headwinds that have defined Labour in government. From the battle bus to Cabinet table, Asthana analyses just who wields power in the corridors of Downing Street, and what to expect in the years ahead.

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

'A balanced, thoughtful narrative that reflects opinions both within and between the parties. A must-read.' The Guardian

'A revelatory and insightful account. Asthana is one of the best-connected journalists in Westminster.' Tim Shipman

The swiftest first draft of history to land, a comprehensive exploration into everything that led to Keir Starmer marching into Downing Street Packed with detail and meticulously sourced. An invaluable resource. New Statesman

Anushka Asthana's storytelling, contacts and analysis are second to none. This is an unmissable political book. Robert Peston

'Interesting reading for all armchair politicians.' The Sun *****

Anushka 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 to write this book. Katharine Viner

'You wont find a more meticulously researched account of the election.' Paul Brand

'A brilliant woman and journalist and now author.' Pippa Crerar

A superb account of recent political history Essential reading. John Rentoul

'Impeccable analysis and access told with humanity by a journalist who has it all.' Daniel Hewitt

What makes this book really interesting is it shows how a campaign feels to a journalist when the cameras are off. Tom Baldwin

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 a must-read. Esme Wren

Anushka writes with authority, ease, warmth and intellect. A masterful interviewer, and an utterly brilliant storyteller. Charlene White

'Full of telling descriptive points provides as thorough an account of Labours election victory as youre likely to find. LabourList

A vividly written page-turner. All students of Starmerism would do well to examine this book closely and take heed. The House

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. Shortlisted for political journalist of the year by the Press Gazette in 2023, she can be found on X as @AnushkaAsthana.