From the incoherent riots of a disaffected youth to Russell Brand's call to reject the ballot box, Britain has never been so jaded. Disempowered, disillusioned with the braying yobbery of Westminster's 'elite', drained by the unpunished rate rigging and tax manoeuvring of banking and big business, we have hit a new low in political engagement.Countless articles decry our apathy, our lack of motivation, our disinterest in political affairs. Yet the recent Scottish referendum showed the essential falsehood at the heart of this claim. The truth is that we're far from apathetic - we're just frustrated by the failure of our representatives to do their job.In this timely and innovative call to arms, Paul Twivy argues that this can be fixed - and the solution is not to reject voting. Rather, we need a drastic overhaul of our political system at every level, forging a new relationship between the people, the state and the corporate world. Radical, entertaining and thought-provoking, Be Your Own Politician maintains that a newly energised, politically engaged society really is ours for the taking - and shows us how to claim it.

About the Author
Paul Twivy's career has included working with the last three UK prime ministers on their big initiatives to develop a new partnership between Citizens and Government and to tackle ingrained social problems. He has co-founded a number of social action campaigns including, Change the World for a Fiver, The Big Lunch and Big Society. He has spent twenty-five years advising Comic Relief, and has a reputation as one of the UK's leading thinkers and innovators. Paul Twivy lives in London.

Reviews
I really enjoyed the insider's account of the failure of the Tories' Big Society idea as well as the description of the endless frustration of attempting to engage previous governments in effecting social change. Yet this is not a disillusioned book. Adman and campaigner Twivy remains positive, energetic and commited to a sense of community. He is still trying to convince friends like me to stop being so negative and to share his optimism in a new kind of politics. If that sounds a bit Russel Brand-y then it is meant in a good way. Ian Hislop [Twivy] brilliantly portrays the ups and downs of fighting for change. Sunday Mirror



Book Information
ISBN 9781849548861
Author Paul Twivy
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Biteback Publishing
Publisher Biteback Publishing