Scott Cresswell

Political journalist and commentator

Published Articles

Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: Edward Heath by Philip Ziegler

Often considered one of the worst modern Prime Ministers, Edward Heath is certainly one of the most mysterious holders of the office.

In an authorised account of Heath’s long life and political career, Philip Ziegler sheds light on Heath’s private character behind his aloof public front.

Although never damning, Ziegler’s judgements can be critical, especially of Heath’s arrogance and delusions that he would take up the leadership once again after Thatcher succeeded him.

However, Ziegler does
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: The Downfall of the Liberal Party, 1914-1935

The decline of Britain’s Liberal Party has always been fascinating to me.

Many writers have analysed the collapse, but Trevor Wilson’s forgotten book from 1966 is a decent book that – at its best – explores the rocky relationship between Asquith and Lloyd George.

Examining the period from 1914 to 1935, Wilson provides a history of the Liberals during the early 20th century and how two splits led to near-extinction. Really, Wilson’s study should have begun with the first Liberal split in 1886,
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: Cheer Churchill. Vote Labour

The 1945 election will forever be a turning point in British history. In his book exploring the reasons for Labour’s victory, Paul Dimoldenberg examines the decade leading up to the war and Britain’s gradual shift to the left.

Dimoldenberg writes a very readable book. It may be from a Labour perspective, but it analyses the unpopularity of the Tories and the impact of Churchill.

It also recounts some fascinating personal accounts from future Labour figureheads, such as Healey, Callaghan, Wilso
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: Closet Queens

All politicians have their private lives. However, Michael Bloch’s highly readable book details the secret lives of some of Britain’s most significant political figures.

In Closet Queens, Bloch explores a range of politicians and unearths some revealing stories about the same-sex adventures of Lord Rosebery, Winston Churchill, Roy Jenkins, Michael Portillo, and others.

While, in most cases, the tales are either rumour or embellished in mystery, and Bloch’s judgements are unusual (especially hi
1828 - Championing Freedom •

Starmer must rule out any agreement with the SNP

After reports that Labour would be changing its constitution to rule out the possibility of a coalition agreement with the SNP, the party has denied any planned changes. This is a huge mistake.

In 2019 at the last general election, Labour received their lowest share of the vote in Scotland since 1910. In order to win back the trust of unionist voters who have abandoned the party in the last decade, Sir Keir Starmer must present his party as a serious unionist force, and pledge against any colla
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: The Penguin Book of Modern Speeches

Some may consider a review of collected speeches scraping the bottom of the barrel. However, this collection highlights the historical importance of Queen Elizabeth II, whose death last week ended an era.

Elizabeth II may be only granted one speech in this book – her annus horribilis speech in 1992 – but she is part of a titanic group of figures since 1899 whose characters and politics shaped the world.

From Theodore Roosevelt to Donald Trump, with Winston Churchill among others in-between, th
Daily Globe •

To win the next election, Labour must return to the core principles of New Labour

To win the next election, Labour must return to the core principles of New Labour

Keir Starmer has a mountain to climb if he wishes to become Prime Minister. But the current state of events presents Labour with a grand opportunity, one that could greatly increase their electoral popularity if they park their tanks on Tory fields.

Although Liz Truss appears likely to become Britain’s next Tory Prime Minister, many have criticised her tax plans as unrealistic. Labour must seize the moment and pr
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: A Classless Society: Britain in the 1990s

More than two decades on from a decade deemed perfect by some, Alwyn Turner places himself firmly as the definitive historian of Britain in the 1990s.

By far the longest book in his trilogy, A Classless Society explores every aspect of the nineties in terrific detail as readers enjoy a rollercoaster ride of politics and culture.

From the rise of John Major in November 1990 to the September 11 attacks in 2001, Turner leaves no stone unturned.

Despite what disagreements I may have with the auth
Backbench •

What Went Wrong for Rishi Sunak?

History is littered with politicians who aspire to climb the greasy political pole and serve as Prime Minister. However, only a select few win the top prize. In the 300 years since the creation of the office, over fifty Britons have served as Prime Minister. However, the list of Prime Ministers who never were is infinite in length.

Rishi Sunak has joined this extensive list for both of these reasons. How did he go from being the natural successor to Boris Johnson just a year ago to being a poli
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: Harold Wilson by Ben Pimlott

When Ben Pimlott wrote his biography of Harold Wilson in 1992, the former Prime Minister’s reputation was far from high.

However, in one of the most authoritative and extensive books focusing on the life and career of Wilson, Pimlott explores every aspect microscopically as each area of the four Wilson administrations is conveyed neatly and fairly.

Not only does Pimlott detail Wilson’s achievements well, but he explores the mysterious and cunning character of a Prime Minister who defined Brita
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: Rejoice! Rejoice! Britain in the 1980s

The second in a trilogy by Alwyn Turner, Rejoice! Rejoice! explores Britain from May 1979 to November 1990 – in other words the premiership of Margaret Thatcher – concisely and more engagingly than others have.

I must confess that I find the eighties far less fascinating compared to the 1970s and 1990s, but Turner once again paints a varied picture and highlights the divided politics and fascinating subculture of the time.

For a political geek like myself, I often think of the eighties as the
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: Gallery of 20th Century Portraits by Roy Jenkins

For those who prefer personal snapshots rather than long-form biography, Roy Jenkins’s Gallery of 20th Century Portraits might be a favourite.

Focusing predominantly on politicians from the 1900s to the 1970s, Jenkins chronicles the lives of various characters concisely and with enough subjectiveness to make each chapter engaging.

However, it is obvious that Jenkins much prefers some characters over others. Chapters on Hugh Gaitskell and Anthony Crossland, two social democratic friends of Jenk
Backbench •

A Comeback Won’t Do Anything to Restore Boris Johnson’s Standing

On 2nd May 1997, after a seismic defeat at the polls, Conservative Prime Minister John Major aptly said, “when the curtain falls, it is time to get off the stage.” His defeat after six-and-a-half years in Number 10 spelt the end of his political career.

While most premierships end in failure, turmoil or disappointment, there are always those who attempt to bypass the laws of British politics. It was Margaret Thatcher who wanted to “go on and on”, then Tony Blair and his dream of a legacy, and n
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: Crisis? What Crisis? Britain in the 1970s

As a decade of political, economic, and industrial turbulence, the 1970s now has something of a darkly mythical status. However, Alwyn Turner provides a realistic but intimate painting of the decade.

Turner explores the seventies through politics and culture; his book is split into three parts focusing on the Heath, Wilson, and Callaghan governments.

While other writers may concentrate more on the politics and governance of the time, Turner uniquely delves into 1970s culture and discusses TV a
Comment Central •

Britain can learn from presidential primaries when electing party leaders

Britain's political parties can learn from other countries' presidential primaries to make systems for selecting party leaders, writes Scott Cresswell.

With the battle for the top job in British politics heating up, and as just 160,000 Conservative members prepare to vote for our next Prime Minister – less than half a per cent of the UK's electorate – it's time to acknowledge what many UK citizens must be thinking: There has to be a better way to elect our leaders. Whether it be Rishi Sunak or
1828 - Championing Freedom •

To win an election, Starmer may have to support strikers

After the sacking of Shadow Transport minister Sam Tarry – a supporter of the RMT strikes – Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on trade union activity is under question. If Starmer is serious about making Labour electable again, it needs a clear stance. Silence will do no good.

Ever since the RMT balloted to go on strike earlier this year, it has fuelled something of a civil war within the Labour Party. Starmer has been criticised for not supporting the strike action in an attempt to prove that Labour h
Tides of History •

Books in 100: Edith Summerskill – Life and Times of a Pioneer

Scott Cresswell looks at the life of a pioneering Labour MP in 100 words

History is littered with the names of those who deserve to be remembered. Unfortunately, some parliamentarians are forgotten. Edith Summerskill is one.

Her progressive and feminist beliefs in the conservative thirties make her an ideal candidate for a biography; Mary Honeyball’s book is essential.

Like all good biographers, Honeyball “got to know Edith” Summerskill and paints her life sympathetically. Some areas of Summe
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: The Presidents by Iain Dale

The Presidency must be the most written subject of our age. However, Iain Dale’s epic stands out in the crowded field.

As editor, Dale oversees a highly accessible book penned by 45 authors on the 46 US Presidents (Grover Cleveland served twice). While each writer provides their own tone, the book is never dry academia.

After a strong general analysis by Scott Lucas, each chapter is a delight. Often forgotten Presidents like Chester Arthur or Zachary Taylor are given the attention they deserve
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: The Prime Ministers Who Never Were

Aren’t counterfactuals great? For somebody who has explored the countless different paths that British politics could have taken, The Prime Ministers Who Never Were is a dream.

Despite its brevity and simplicity, Francis Beckett edits an imaginative book penned by creative authors who delve into the fantasy premierships of Austen Chamberlain, Oswald Mosley, Neil Kinnock, John Smith (the most legendary of ‘what if’ PMs) and many more.

Writers offer condensed stories rather than dense texts that
Writer Scott Cresswell •

1974: The Year That Birthed Modern Britain

When I reached my third year studying at university, let’s just say that I was more than thrilled to discover that one of my modules focused on non-fiction writing. As a keen reader of history, politics, and biography, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to research and write about a topic that I believe is understudied or neglected.

As a rare year of two general elections, 1974 has always stood out to me as a defining moment in British history. In fact, the political climate of today wa
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: Jeremy Thorpe by Michael Bloch

Resignation and scandal often go hand-in-hand in politics, but this duo has never been more interesting than in the life and career of Jeremy Thorpe.

Michael Bloch chronicles the life of Thorpe from his birth to death, focusing notably on his Liberal career and the Norman Scott scandal.

Bloch selects a fantastically intriguing character who lived a diverse life, and the author does well to focus on every event in Thorpe’s life as much as the famed trial in 1979.

One may disagree with many of
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: Gerald Scarfe’s Monsters

For more than six decades, satirist Gerald Scarfe succeeded in making our politicians appear just as the title of his coffee table book suggests: Monsters.

From his early illustrations of Macmillan and Kennedy to the latter-day satire focusing on Cameron and Obama, Scarfe’s artistic talent is truly wonderful, and he never fails to be creative when it comes to each character. Wilson, Nixon, Heath, Thatcher, Clinton, Blair, and Bush are all terrifically rendered.

Supplied by riveting commentary
Writer Scott Cresswell •

Books in 100: British Labour Leaders

In its 122-year history, Labour has had numerous leaders, but only six have become Prime Minister.

In an analysis of Labour leaders from Keir Hardie to Ed Miliband (edited by Charles Clarke and Toby James), a solid framework of assessment is applied as varying authors provide their take on all Labour leaders during times of success and failure.

Predictably, John Rentoul writes a gushing chapter on Tony Blair, while Mark Stuart pens an interesting chapter on John Smith. Others offer impressive
Backbench •

There is One Key Difference Between Now and the 1970s: Leadership

You may have noticed recently that the papers and the pundits have been saying that Britain is heading back to the seventies.

Although many today possess a mythologised view of the 1970s – a decade of political division and social uprising – it will always be remembered for inflation, unemployment and events that define the decade far too much. The Three-Day Week and the Winter of Discontent come to mind, both of which lasted for only a few months in 1974 and 1979 respectively.

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