Denis MacShane – författare

A hard-hitting essay combined with factual reportage on the new anti-semitism throughout Europe.This book argues that what the 21st century now faces is an ideological assault based on hatred of Jews which is as serious as any major threat to universal values as the world has faced. Anti-semitism is the visible language and action of a deeper threat to world peace, to the achievements of the human spirit we call the Enlightenment, and undermines vital work to address problems like poverty and the challenges of the environment.Denis MacShane''s survey of 21st century anti-semitism is based on the All-Party Commission of Enquiry which was chaired by the author in the UK. His book considers examples in Europe and how anti-semitism is now a linking mechanism between different extremisms, usually but not exclusively of the Right. It lists in detail the anti-semitism in national party politics, including the European Parliament, and it examines how Holocaust denial is not a question of liberal free-expression issues but an organised ideological position. The new anti-semitism arises from three main sources: state-sanctioned anti-semitism; that of terrorist movements like Al Qaeda; and that of political movements like the Muslim Brotherhood and its off-shoots and spokesmen.The book is both a cri de coeur for a new tolerance and a resolution to throw light on 21st century anti-semitism, which has left Europe to become a new form of mobilising politics across many continents.

Denis MacShane has seen and been on every part of the Labour Party over the last 50 years. He has fought, lost and won elections to the Commons, local government and the trade union movement. One unique insight he has comes from 15 years work with trade unions and progressive political movement in Europe and overseas. His book is personal, political and full of insights. Much of the European left is down and out and Labour must avoid that fate. I hope Labour Party members debate without rancour or sectarian anger what needs to be done. This book is a good starting point.

Polly Toynbee, journalist

Denis MacShane has had a colourful, often controversial life as a journalist-politician in Labour over many years, standing for Parliament in 1974 and being the best Europe Minister of any government until the calamity of Brexit struck. His account of why Labour is so good at losing elections is fascinating reading. What to do to get Labour back into power is a central question if we don''t want to live in a one party state

Steve Richards, journalist and presenter

Since 1970, Labour has won power in just 4 of the 14 general elections. This angry, passionate book asks why Labour is so good at losing elections and so unhappy and edgy when it does win.

Denis MacShane joined the Labour Party in 1970, and has held every office at local party level. He stood for the Commons aged 26. He served as an MP for 18 years and was Minister of State for Europe. He draws on experience, meetings with Labour leaders from Jim Callaghan to Jeremy Corbyn, and his personal diaries kept when in the Commons as he tries to answer the question: Why is Labour so keen on fighting internal battles and so useless at winning power?

Denis MacShane''s book is full of observations that are witty, personal, and exasperating. They offer insights and pragmatic guidance. Based on the hard lessons he''s learned, MacShane offers twelve pragmatic suggestions for turning Labour into a party of power as well as protest.