Britain | A Laborious read

To understand Labour’s shadow cabinet, read its books

But don’t expect any thrillers

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Labour Party cabinet members listen as party leader Keir Starmer holds his key note speech on the third day of the annual Labour Party conference on September 27, 2022 in Liverpool, England The Labour Party hold their annual conference in Liverpool this year. Issues on the agenda are the cost of living crisis, including a call for a reinforced windfall tax, proportional representation and action on the climate crisis. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images

The books by the Labour shadow cabinet are earnest, virtuous and well-meaning. They tackle such uncomfortable topics as sexism, racism and Peterborough. Their authors travel to places like Wigan and Halifax, and feel sad in them. In reviews these books have been garlanded with such adjectives as “much-needed” and “powerful”. Almost all of them, in other words, are heroically boring.

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “A Laborious read ”

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