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The Gatekeeper

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The Gatekeeper

By: Kate Fall
Narrated by: Sophie Aldred
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About this listen

‘A brilliant vivid and intimate new memoir’ The Daily Mail’For over a decade Kate Fall was the most influential woman in British politics.’ Alice Thomson, The Times

For eleven years Kate Fall was one of David Cameron’s closest advisors. During some of the most significant political events of our times – the Arab Spring, the financial crash and a European referendum that has changed the face of British politics forever – she sat right outside the door of the Prime Minister’s office, earning herself the title of ‘gatekeeper’.

Fall takes us through the Cameron project, from its inception to coalition, reshuffles, political scandals, two general elections and three referendums. She speaks frankly and honestly about the Conservatives’ key players, their project to modernise the party, how the coalition worked (and how it didn’t). Shedding light on the world behind the public façade of politics, she reveals what it is like to be a woman at the heart of power: the blood, sweat and toil, the victories and regrets, the friendships and fall outs, the chaos and camaraderie.

Politics tests any relationship with its conflicting priorities of loyalty, belief, and personal ambition. The Gatekeeper is a very personal portrait of life behind the scenes at the centre of power.

©2019 Kate Fall (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Europe Great Britain Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Women in Politics

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Critic reviews

‘Eloquent and full of human detail, this is a dramatic eyewitness account […] Fall’s book is worth reading for many reasons, but perhaps most of all as an exploration of this strange, fascinating deployment of friendship as political strategy: how it works, and how it fails.’ New Statesman

‘A brilliant vivid and intimate new memoir’ The Daily Mail

‘Fluent, wise and entertaining … The best books on government are often written by those who can watch as well as do … Fall’s compelling memoir of Cameronism falls into the category.’ Evening Standard

‘Entertaining … Fall’s narrative is fast-paced and anecdote-rich … the characters she paints quite beautifully’ The Times

‘The book comes alive when Fall delivers the details and anecdotes.’ The Sunday Times

‘Pacy, personal … Enjoyable and fast-paced’ Financial Times

‘what everyone will be talking about…’ CG Magazine

‘[A] colourful inside scoop … you don’t have to be a political whizz to enjoy it … it feels like a thriller building up to a seismic moment you know is unavoidable.’ Grazia

‘For over a decade Kate Fall was the most influential woman in British politics.’ Alice Thomson, Columnist, The Times

‘Kate Fall was not just the gatekeeper; she was at the heart of the Number Ten operation.’ Camilla Cavendish, The Times, Former Head of the No 10 Policy Unit

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This book gives a great insight into how the Cameron team operated and some insights on the big events of their time. Definitely written to defend their legacy though

Brilliant insight, to be read with a lot of salt!

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I love real-life political accounts, so I enjoyed this. It feels real and covered a lot of ground - coalition government, Brexit, all sorts of horrors. The author conveys the sense of action, dread and exhaustion and you get a pretty rounded sense of David Cameron. Some of the statements - eg about austerity - feel tin-eared, but that didn't surprise me. It's a personal account and these are her personal reactions. Definitely worth a read if you're into fly-on-the-wall stuff. It could obviously have included a ton more anecdotes, but never mind.

Good behind-the-scenes account

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Fascinating book. Personal, heartfelt, a truly unique insight into the world of politics. Loved it!

Fabulous insight

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I enjoyed the build up to the referendum part most of all. Well worth reading.

Enjoyed the story.

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Great pace, devoured quickly! Great look back at times that seem much easier. Loved the style

Loved it!

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For anyone interested in politics and the lives our politicians live this book offers a remarkable insight in to what goes on behind that famous black door. The author's tale is both riveting and insightful but slightly dispiriting in that it reveals the terrible personal toll a life in politics has on an individual. I wonder if those at the sharp end of our print and broadcast media stop to take stock of their role in the collateral damage their trade wreaks on the poor saps who go in to politics - even if they do so with their eyes wide open and in the full knowledge of what they are getting in to.

A remarkable insight in to life inside No. 10

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It's great to see what happened from the inside of government and how decisions were taken. I also enjoyed learning about the personalities of politicians.

A real insight to Cameron's government

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Kate does a very good job at taking you through the rise and fall of David Cameron and his core team, while giving really interesting insight into the running of Number 10. Whilst at times there is clear bias to her own political views, the story tries to remain honest and open and does show a respect to members of other parties, especially the Liberal Democrat’s and some members of labour. It’s a good listen whatever your persuasion as it covers a critical time in British political history.

The Gatekeeper

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Bland and lacking any real depth. This is a real disappointment - I was hoping it would give a real insight into the workings of parliament but instead it is just a superficial glorification of Cameron. Its also told in a rather boring narrative.

Very disappointing

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I was expecting a bit of a no holds barred, warts and all story of what happened behind the black door. What I got was a book that gushes about Cameron and how wonderful he is.

Not what I expected.

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