Gavin Esler – författare

There are no real enemies, no real fear – only those of our own creation. Another brilliant and thrilling adventure from the co-host of BBC’s Newsnight.The Anglo-American ‘Special Relationship’ is in deep trouble. The ambitious vice-president, Bobby Black, who wields greater influence over foreign affairs than his titular boss, has fallen out with the British PM. The young British Ambassador to Washington knows he must step in. He is in a delicate position however–with the expectations of the British Government on him,as well as those of his father-in-law, the PM.In a bid to orchastrate some good PR, Black is invited to England, accompanied by a plane load of assistants and CIA security. Guided by his aristocratic host, he goes out to the moors – and disappears. He is not seen again until humiliating photographs begin to appear, and then again, silence.The Americans are outraged that their VP has gone missing on British soil and the relationship between the two countries seem irrevocably damaged. But what can be done? Missing but not confirmed dead is a constitutional grey area, and should Black reappear, can he ever be trusted again?

An absorbing novel of power, politics, terror and lies from the co-host of NewsnightRobin Burnett has spent years at the heart of power, pulling the strings. With friends in Downing Street, the White House and the CIA he is known as the brightest politician of his generation, tipped to go all the way to the top. But when the media discover that Robin is at the heart of a shocking sex scandal, his glittering career comes to an abrupt end. Robin and those close to him will pay the price of corruption, lies and ruthless ambition, and learn that with a twenty-four hour hungry media, scandal can be hard to avoid.Gavin Esler's novel gives a real sense of the adrenalin of power when you feel the top job is within your grasp. A Scandalous Man presents fascinating, wholly credible scenarios on relationships and secret arrangements with the United States and the Middle East.

'An eloquent, forensic examination of resurgent English nationalism as the force that has driven Brexit and may now break up the United Kingdom' Jonathan Coe'A fascinating book that draws on poetry, literature and on-the-ground reporting' The Times'A wonderful book which will be quoted in years to come' New EuropeanIn the past, it was possible to live with delightful confusion: one could be English or British, Scottish or Irish, and a citizen/subject of the United Kingdom (or Great Britain). Now this archaic state is coming under terrible strain. The English revolt against Europe is also a revolt against the Scottish and Irish, and the pressures to declare Scottish independence and to push for a border poll that would unite Ireland may become irresistible.Can England and Wales find a way of dealing with the state's new place in the world? What constitutional, federal arrangements might prevent the disintegration of the British state?How Britain Ends is a book about history, but also about the strange, complicated identity of Britishness.

An urgent and timely exploration of a British political system in peril – and what we must do to save it.For centuries, British identity has been shaped by ideas of exceptionalism, grandeur and competence. Yet British democracy is failing. Governments supported by a minority of voters are elected with enormous majorities under a deeply unrepresentative first-past-the-post system. The result has been failed leaders delivering wounding blows to the country's economy, prosperity and international image.Britain Is Better Than This explores what lies beneath this sense of malaise, revealing the structural and constitutional failures at the heart of a sclerotic political system. It sheds light on a culture of lies, distrust and corruption. It reveals fundamental flaws in core institutions, including the media, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It draws on events such as the MP expenses scandal, Brexit, 'Partygate' and the farcical premiership of Liz Truss, as symptoms of a great nation at a turning point yet unsure of which way to turn. And it looks ahead, offering practical solutions to answer the key question of our time: What do we need to do to build a better future?'The most compelling, lacerating description of the Muppet Show that is British public life I have yet read.' Will Hutton'There can be no book more urgently needed than this one.' Steve Richards

Great leaders have always understood the power of stories. Through the stories they tell, the most successful leaders educate, persuade and bring about change, but we rarely have the background knowledge to explore how they do so. In this hugely insightful guide to getting to the top, leading journalist Gavin Esler presents first-hand knowledge of the secrets of those who achieve power based on over thirty years' experience interviewing world famous figures from Bill Clinton to Angelina Jolie. Introducing the questions every leader must answer - and the elements that the best stories must contain - Esler explains how creating a leadership story can promote success at all levels, whether running for the United States presidency or applying for a place at university. Spanning fields from business and culture to the military and even taking in lessons from terrorism, Lessons from the Top offers a fascinating portrait of leadership in the modern world - and shows how the methods of the most powerful leaders could work for you.

'Punchy, pithy and short.' – POLLY TOYNBEE, GUARDIAN COLUMNIST 'In an ideal world every citizen would read this essential book, and think hard.' – PROFESSOR AC GRAYLING, ACADEMIC Brexit changed Britain. But what does it actually change for you? Brexit Without the Bullshit is the no-nonsense, evidence-based guide to the biggest UK political, legal and economic shake-up in generations — “the book Nigel Farage doesn’t want you to read.” Instead of recycled talking points, Gavin Esler focuses on what voters were rarely shown in 2016: the practical consequences of leaving the European Union for households, workplaces, public services and the UK’s place in the world. Brexit isn’t a single “done” moment. It’s a process: referendum fallout, Article 50, negotiation deadlines, transition periods, and then years of new rules. That process touches everything: trade, immigration, regulation, security, and even the future of the United Kingdom. If you’ve ever wondered what “take back control” means in real life — on supermarket shelves, at the border, in hospitals, in schools, and in pay packets — this book is your clear-headed map. You’ll learn how big political choices become everyday friction: Brexit explained simply: the EU single market, customs union, frictionless trade, regulatory alignment, and why customs checks, certificates and paperwork slow supply chains. Food and farming: tariffs, food standards, seasonal workers, freedom of movement, the EU Settlement Scheme, Dover/Calais bottlenecks, and why food prices can rise. The NHS and health: the £350 million-a-week bus claim, funding realities, staff shortages, recruitment from the EU and beyond, social care pressures, and why medicine supplies (from insulin to radioisotopes) are vulnerable to disruption. Jobs, money and the economy: the pound, productivity, investment uncertainty, manufacturing, automotive, finance, small business, wages and living standards — plus why “just in time” logistics hate uncertainty. Trade deals and consumer protection: why UK-EU and UK-US negotiations collide over chlorinated chicken, hormone-fed beef, GM crops, pesticides, antibiotics, and drug pricing — and what that could mean for public health, animal welfare and household budgets. Schools, universities and skills: education, research links, qualifications, opportunity and what a changing economy means for the next generation. Travel and rights: passports, driving rules, insurance, EHIC-style health cover, pet passports, and the small rule changes that can turn a simple trip into a headache. The union and identity: Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Irish border, and the stresses Brexit places on Parliament, democracy and the UK itself. No Deal Brexit: what “WTO terms” can (and can’t) do, and how disruption spreads fast. Also included: a helpful glossary and detailed endnotes so you can check sources, follow the evidence, and separate facts from myths. Perfect for:• readers of UK politics, European politics, economics and current affairs• students, journalists, campaigners and debaters who need Brexit facts, not vibes• parents, travellers, business owners and NHS staff who want to understand real impacts• anyone who voted Leave or Remain and now wants the honest picture If you’re searching for Brexit explained, Brexit facts and figures, Brexit impact on the NHS, Brexit and immigration, Brexit and trade deals, UK-EU relations, hard Brexit vs soft Brexit, or No Deal Brexit — this book delivers a grounded, readable, chapter-by-chapter guide you can finish fast and keep as a reference. Reviewers have described Esler’s style as “punchy, short and pithy” (Polly Toynbee), “admirably concise and well-researched” (Francis Grove White, People’s Vote Campaign), and a calm, factual antidote to whipped-up sentiment (Dr Rachel Clarke). If you want a Brexit book that cuts through misinformation and explains food, jobs, schools and the NHS without the bullshit, start here. Pick up your copy today and understand the decisions shaping Britain’s future. REVIEWS 'If you want a pithy, sober, clear-headed summary of what Brexit is actually likely to look like, Gavin Esler’s new book is spot on. Such a welcome antidote to all the whipped-up sentiment – calm, factual, rigorous.' – DR RACHEL CLARKE, NHS DOCTOR AND CAMPAIGNER 'Esler provides the evidence of what Brexit has already done to Britain and the harm that it s causing and will cause, in particular to the poorest in our society. A guide for all who want to understand what Brexit really means.' – JESSICA SIMOR QC 'A brilliant demolition of the lies and liars that created the Brexit mess. Should be required reading at his old stamping ground, the BBC.' – ALASTAIR CAMPBELL, WRITER AND BROADCASTER WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK - BY GAVIN ESLER In 2016 I did something I had never done before. I voted in the Brexit referendum without knowing what I was voting for or against. No one explained to me – or you – what Brexit would mean for our lives. Whether you voted Leave or Remain, we did not know the facts about Brexit, how it would affect our jobs, food, schools, universities, the NHS, our families, pets, travel arrangements, and even the supposed unity of the United Kingdom. In the years since the Brexit vote, the British government has continued to fail to explain the facts about Brexit, and so I decided to find out for myself. The result is Brexit Without The Bullshit. At first, I thought that if Brexit were stripped of the bullshit — lies and deceit, scare stories and fantasies — there would be nothing left. But the facts about Brexit are so stark, there’s plenty to discuss and think about. Gavin Esler CONTENTS Introduction Chapter 1. Brexit & Our Food Chapter 2. Brexit, Our Health & the NHS Chapter 3. Brexit, Our Money & Our Jobs Chapter 4. Brexit & Our Children’s Education Chapter 5. Brexit & Travel Chapter 6. Brexit & Our Country Chapter 7. A No Deal Brexit The Boring Bits: Glossary and Endnotes Buy the book and discover the facts!