Little Red Book Review

Now available from all incompetent, deranged or desperate booksellers. Since I myself made a small contribution (since overtaken by events, see the latest news section) I'll delegate the review to my son, aged two and currently potty training.

*points at book*

"TOILET"

"DOG"

"BLAIR"

"UGH"

There you go. You don't get that everywhere.

Seriously (and with admitted bias), it's surprisingly good - Justin has already blogged on it, mentioning that attacking Ken Livingstone (twice) and sniggering about the more pants-down escapades doesn't totally detract from it. Love him or hate him, Ken is about as much a New Labour figure as George Galloway, and Blair clearly can't stand him, and the sex scandals are irrelevant unless issues of competency or professional propriety are concerned. Stick to the bits about Liar Byers, Cherie, Campbell, Prescott etc. and you'll be fine. It's not as if there's a shortage of material.

For a book largely organised by right-wing Tories, there are refreshing bits on civil liberties and Abu Graibh, albeit from the viewpoint of lying politicians rather than from an anti-war stance, and Charles Clarke's insults to Rachel's Dad. Considering it's a frivolous volume meant to be light-hearted and funny I don't mind there being so little on Iraq, since there's precious little to laugh at and it's so much the elephant in the room of Tony's legacy that there'll be plenty of longer books written in ten years or so.

Overall, a good effort in the time available. Now, how about a follow up for Christmas?

*slides off to watch Iain Dale on Sky News* Yuck, they've got Clive 'Heathrow Third Runway, Yes Please' Soley on. That'll bring the tone down.

P.S. Nearly forgot - the last line in the book is a plug for Blairwatch. Hat tip, Iain and Guido.