Ayes & Ears: A Survivor's Guide to Westminster

About the Book: 

I kept asking myself, how could someone like me, born into relative poverty and with no great political helping-hand, become a Conservative Member of Parliament... I was undoubtedly in awe of – and quite possibly overwhelmed by – the high esteem in which I held the Palace of Westminster and elected politicians. Decades later my feelings at being re-elected as an MP for the ninth time could not have been more different.

David Amess has been at the heart of British politics for over 37 years. He has witnessed unprecedented changes in technology, the economy, parliamentary procedure, the state of the Union and the European Union. In Ayes & Ears he reviews the major scandals and events of this time and reveals the inner workings of Britain’s most important institution. David opens up the world of Westminster for us to explore, to wonder at the historic traditions and to examine the myraid changes which have taken place over the last few decades.

Reviews: 

David Amess’s reflections on the deep and often disorientating changes in politics are essential reading. MICHAEL DOBBS, author of the House of Cards trilogy

His battle to make Southend a City has been a grand source of entertainment for many years – as this book will be. JEFFRY ARCHER, author and former MP

Goodness knows how many Members have come and gone while he has continued so ably and loudly to represent his constituents. I am not surprised that there’s material for a book and it makes for very good reading. MICHAEL PORTILLO, journalist, broadcaster and former MP