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Get In: The Inside Story of Labour under Starmer
The explosive, definitive, behind-the-scenes account of Labour and its general election in 2024, from the authors of
Left Out
Drawing on their unrivalled access throughout the Labour party, the Times and Sunday Times investigative duo behind Left Out now present the explosive inside story of Labour’s transformation and general election under Starmer.
This is the definitive telling of a momentous time for the either their election as the first Labour government since the Blair/Brown era, or a catastrophic mishandling of a huge lead in the opinion polls. Either way, the story centres on Starmer's relentless and single-minded pursuit of power, and on the inevitable turmoil and carnage as he expunges opponents and attempts to unite his party in the face of searingly divisive events.
Richly peopled with all of the major figures of Labour present and past, as well as with those pulling strings behind the scenes, this will ultimately be a must-read, warts-and-all picture of the new British government - or it will be the dramatic story of one of the most spectacular car-crashes in Labour’s history and in contemporary British politics.
Drawing on their unrivalled access throughout the Labour party, the Times and Sunday Times investigative duo behind Left Out now present the explosive inside story of Labour’s transformation and general election under Starmer.
This is the definitive telling of a momentous time for the either their election as the first Labour government since the Blair/Brown era, or a catastrophic mishandling of a huge lead in the opinion polls. Either way, the story centres on Starmer's relentless and single-minded pursuit of power, and on the inevitable turmoil and carnage as he expunges opponents and attempts to unite his party in the face of searingly divisive events.
Richly peopled with all of the major figures of Labour present and past, as well as with those pulling strings behind the scenes, this will ultimately be a must-read, warts-and-all picture of the new British government - or it will be the dramatic story of one of the most spectacular car-crashes in Labour’s history and in contemporary British politics.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2025
177 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 11, 2025
Enjoyed this a lot, maybe helped by reading alongside a friend and a colleague in a first foray into book clubbing. Definitely important to understand the current Labour Party but a bit disappointing not to get more insight on Starmer himself, although that is ultimately the point being made.
March 8, 2025
I had high hopes that this book, written by two reputable journalists, would mirror the excellent Tim Shipman books about the high politics of the Conservative Governments, which culminated in "Out", published last year. My hopes are not realised in this scrappy, breathless, gossipy piece of writing.
I am inherently suspicious of books that are founded almost entirely on unattributed briefings. Here were get an account that focuses on the achievements of Morgan McSweeney (aka "The Irishman" as the authors irritatingly call him) as he manipulates Sir Keir Starmer into power. Starmer is depicted as a empty political vessel who passively moves from front-bench role to leadership to the premiership. There is very little context given as the tale of McSweeney unfolds. For example, there is little to no discussion of the Labour Party's position on COVID handling. Rather this is all about men (mostly) in rooms plotting and scheming and then telling the authors about it. Without a wider perspective, not least from the principal political characters themselves, this book, though entertaining, is unlikely to be of lasting value.
I am inherently suspicious of books that are founded almost entirely on unattributed briefings. Here were get an account that focuses on the achievements of Morgan McSweeney (aka "The Irishman" as the authors irritatingly call him) as he manipulates Sir Keir Starmer into power. Starmer is depicted as a empty political vessel who passively moves from front-bench role to leadership to the premiership. There is very little context given as the tale of McSweeney unfolds. For example, there is little to no discussion of the Labour Party's position on COVID handling. Rather this is all about men (mostly) in rooms plotting and scheming and then telling the authors about it. Without a wider perspective, not least from the principal political characters themselves, this book, though entertaining, is unlikely to be of lasting value.
February 17, 2025
An outstanding piece of journalism which does much to open the door to Starmer’s Labour, and paints a portrait of two men in particular - Starmer and McSweeney - allowing us to better understand the workings of the Labour government.
Perhaps better entitled ‘The Inside Story of Labour under McSweeney’, this book provides a stark assessment of the extent to which Starmer owes his position to his chief of staff, and how that affected the running of LOTO and now Downing Street.
While this book doesn’t offer much insight into Starmer as a man, I think it complements Baldwin’s excellent biography of the PM, and the two taken together offer a portrait of a leader who is immensely powerful but seems to lack a coherent vision of how to use that power. Highly recommend.
Perhaps better entitled ‘The Inside Story of Labour under McSweeney’, this book provides a stark assessment of the extent to which Starmer owes his position to his chief of staff, and how that affected the running of LOTO and now Downing Street.
While this book doesn’t offer much insight into Starmer as a man, I think it complements Baldwin’s excellent biography of the PM, and the two taken together offer a portrait of a leader who is immensely powerful but seems to lack a coherent vision of how to use that power. Highly recommend.
March 24, 2025
Obviously a lot of what was new has ended up being pored over in the press since publication, but still enough insight into what went on in Labour before and since the election!
March 21, 2025
Good scoops. Left the last few chapters as it’s my life at the moment every day but still a good book
April 11, 2025
Maguire and Pogrund with another strong book. Interesting look behind the curtain at the McSweeney-Starmer relationship. Reminds me of the Rawnsley books on New Labour at times with some of the infighting and briefing. Strong stuff.
February 20, 2025
Surprisingly balanced. This book is equally frightening and thrilling. Worth a read for anyone interested in British politics
February 26, 2025
Having really enjoyed: Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour Under Corbyn, I was keen to read the second book about the Labour Party. Although it begins with the Labour victory, it then returns to a Labour Party which seemed unelectable and the desire of Keir Starmer to lead the party to a majority. He is helped by Morgan McSweeney and his attempts to oust Corbyn and install Starmer as leader.
Left Out had some jaw-dropping moments, this book, rather like Starmer himself, is a little less exciting. While Corbyn came across as a nice guy who disliked making decisions, Starmer comes across as a rather dull middle manager, more eager to win than on politics itself. Often there are comments on his being unwilling to engage in debate or even showing much of an interest in hot political topics.
While everyone in Westminster, and most of the Labour Party, tried to destroy Corbyn, the term 'Labour Together' barely hid the internal civil war. Although Starmer lacks any kind of personal charisma, appearing awkward and uncomfortable when he speaks, he shows a certain willingness to take risks, as when he suspended Corbyn from the Party. However, this book shows that when faced with difficult issues, such as Diane Abbott rumoured to be unable to stand as a Labour candidate he turns to Angela Rayner to sort things out with the party and the media.
Perhaps it is not important, even preferable, to have a Prime Minister who lacks the huge personality of many of the world's populist, and dangerous, leaders. However, to say Starmer is uninspirational barely covers it. Through major issues of recent times, you fail to get a sense of who Starmer is or what his, or the Labour Party's, message is. Divisions in both the Labour and Tory camps are still very obvious and you feel that both of the main political parties would benefit from a strong leader, if the vote is not to be split or damaged by possible outside influence. Although this was not as riveting as the previous book, that is largely due to the subject matter and the book is well-researched and written and I would certainly read the next in what is said to be a planned trilogy.
Left Out had some jaw-dropping moments, this book, rather like Starmer himself, is a little less exciting. While Corbyn came across as a nice guy who disliked making decisions, Starmer comes across as a rather dull middle manager, more eager to win than on politics itself. Often there are comments on his being unwilling to engage in debate or even showing much of an interest in hot political topics.
While everyone in Westminster, and most of the Labour Party, tried to destroy Corbyn, the term 'Labour Together' barely hid the internal civil war. Although Starmer lacks any kind of personal charisma, appearing awkward and uncomfortable when he speaks, he shows a certain willingness to take risks, as when he suspended Corbyn from the Party. However, this book shows that when faced with difficult issues, such as Diane Abbott rumoured to be unable to stand as a Labour candidate he turns to Angela Rayner to sort things out with the party and the media.
Perhaps it is not important, even preferable, to have a Prime Minister who lacks the huge personality of many of the world's populist, and dangerous, leaders. However, to say Starmer is uninspirational barely covers it. Through major issues of recent times, you fail to get a sense of who Starmer is or what his, or the Labour Party's, message is. Divisions in both the Labour and Tory camps are still very obvious and you feel that both of the main political parties would benefit from a strong leader, if the vote is not to be split or damaged by possible outside influence. Although this was not as riveting as the previous book, that is largely due to the subject matter and the book is well-researched and written and I would certainly read the next in what is said to be a planned trilogy.
April 11, 2025
It may be Starmer’s name bolstering the subtitle of this unsubtle and sometimes hastily written exposé, but it soon becomes apparent that he is basically the thinking man’s useful idiot, a blank canvas upon which various others have daubed their own nauseous and often bafflingly illogical power plays. Chief among them is Morgan McSweeney who comes across as someone who wants to be Dominic Cummings in much the same way that, with every film score he writes, John Williams makes it clear that he’ll never get over not being born Erich Korngold. But psychiatric case study in waiting and Labour’s own personal ATM Waheed Alli also looms large in the narrative, and does the frankly bonkers - and I mean bonkers on a Liz Truss scale - Sue Gray. Ultimately, ‘Get In’ tells us what we all already know - that Starmer and his Red Tory mob are no better than the shysters they’ve replaced; that power corrupts; and that the very fabric of government in the UK is fucked beyond repair - but the confirmation makes for a blistering read.
March 1, 2025
Lose, lose, lose, lose, Blair, Blair, Blair, lose, lose, lose, lose. These were the last 11 election results for Labour.
Get In is the second book by Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund on the Labour Party. The first, Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour under Corbyn, I liked so much I read it twice.
In 2020 Labour was bankrupt: morally, electorally, and financially. In the 2021 Hartlepool byelection, there was a 16 percent swing to the Conservatives. This was only the 2nd time in 40 years that a governing party had taken a seat from the opposition. The Times ran the headline: 'Boris Johnson eyes a decade in power'.
In 2024 Labour won a landslide general election, with 1/3 of the vote but 2/3 of the seats. What happened? Get In is the inside story of Labour under Starmer, or should it be named the inside story under Morgan Mcsweeney?
In the 2006 local elections, the Conservatives won council after council. The only Labour gain? Lambeth council. The campaign co-ordinator? Morgan Mcsweeney. How? By tailoring its message street by street. Rather than telling voters that they cared, Labour showed them: by reporting burnt-out cars to the police or removing graffiti.
This approach was replicated in the 2024 general election. Rather than asking households whether they intended to back Labour before returning before polling day, activists sought to strike up personal relationships. First, they would ask what issues motivated a given voter NOT which party they planned to support.
That information would be fed onto the system, with a 'persuasion pathway' for a given voter. Internal party data showed that for every 1 percent it increased its local contact rate, Labour increased its vote share by 0.17 percent: 1 vote for every 6 conversations.
If there was no chance that a seat could be won, the campaign would be shut off, and resources diverted to a seat that could be. That is, there was a relentless targeting of seats: to win more marginals Mcsweeney was willing for Labour's majorities in the cities to decline.
Get In also has an epilogue of the first 100 days. They argue that the separation of powers that had proven so dysfunctional in opposition was hardwired into the structures of the new government.
Lose, lose, lose, lose, Starmer, ________. This is the question. Labour's record of winning 2nd terms is not good. Furthermore, there is also a global rightward shift.
Get In is the second book by Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund on the Labour Party. The first, Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour under Corbyn, I liked so much I read it twice.
In 2020 Labour was bankrupt: morally, electorally, and financially. In the 2021 Hartlepool byelection, there was a 16 percent swing to the Conservatives. This was only the 2nd time in 40 years that a governing party had taken a seat from the opposition. The Times ran the headline: 'Boris Johnson eyes a decade in power'.
In 2024 Labour won a landslide general election, with 1/3 of the vote but 2/3 of the seats. What happened? Get In is the inside story of Labour under Starmer, or should it be named the inside story under Morgan Mcsweeney?
In the 2006 local elections, the Conservatives won council after council. The only Labour gain? Lambeth council. The campaign co-ordinator? Morgan Mcsweeney. How? By tailoring its message street by street. Rather than telling voters that they cared, Labour showed them: by reporting burnt-out cars to the police or removing graffiti.
This approach was replicated in the 2024 general election. Rather than asking households whether they intended to back Labour before returning before polling day, activists sought to strike up personal relationships. First, they would ask what issues motivated a given voter NOT which party they planned to support.
That information would be fed onto the system, with a 'persuasion pathway' for a given voter. Internal party data showed that for every 1 percent it increased its local contact rate, Labour increased its vote share by 0.17 percent: 1 vote for every 6 conversations.
If there was no chance that a seat could be won, the campaign would be shut off, and resources diverted to a seat that could be. That is, there was a relentless targeting of seats: to win more marginals Mcsweeney was willing for Labour's majorities in the cities to decline.
Get In also has an epilogue of the first 100 days. They argue that the separation of powers that had proven so dysfunctional in opposition was hardwired into the structures of the new government.
Lose, lose, lose, lose, Starmer, ________. This is the question. Labour's record of winning 2nd terms is not good. Furthermore, there is also a global rightward shift.
March 13, 2025
Thank you to Penguin Random House and LibroFm for the advanced reading & listening copies.
With the semblance of pages lifted straight from a Yes Minister script, Get In tells a very revealing and intimate account of Keir Starmer's rise to the top within the Labour party, dragging it from the clutches of Corbyn's left a to a more vote-winning stance in the centre.
Starmer is portrayed as the puppet of mastermind strategist Morgan McSweeney, he was the right man picked for the job of carrying out McSweeney's Machiavellian scheming. Sue Gray it seems did not stick to the script.
This book highlights the intricacies of politics and the pitfalls that can be unintentionally fallen into. With chapters devoted to whether or not Starmer should call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the semantics of language can easily incite a groundswell of anger and fury, lead by the 'eager for a circulation boosting headline' media.
Politics it seems is not for the faint hearted.
With the semblance of pages lifted straight from a Yes Minister script, Get In tells a very revealing and intimate account of Keir Starmer's rise to the top within the Labour party, dragging it from the clutches of Corbyn's left a to a more vote-winning stance in the centre.
Starmer is portrayed as the puppet of mastermind strategist Morgan McSweeney, he was the right man picked for the job of carrying out McSweeney's Machiavellian scheming. Sue Gray it seems did not stick to the script.
This book highlights the intricacies of politics and the pitfalls that can be unintentionally fallen into. With chapters devoted to whether or not Starmer should call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the semantics of language can easily incite a groundswell of anger and fury, lead by the 'eager for a circulation boosting headline' media.
Politics it seems is not for the faint hearted.
March 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book 12 of 2025. “Get In: The Inside Story of Labour Under Starmer” by Gabriel Pogrund and Patrick Maguire.
“From electoral wipeout in 2019 to landslide victory in 2024 and on into Labour’s first hundred days in government, Get In is a blistering exposé of the most significant and ruthless political transformation in a generation.
At its heart is Morgan McSweeney, a mastermind of political subterfuge and author of a strategy to eviscerate the party, bury the left and rebuild it as a vote-winning machine. In Starmer he saw the perfect vessel for his vision: a man with no political identity but burning with ambition and a single all-consuming principle: to win.
Drawing on unrivalled access throughout the party and extensive leaks of internal party documents and WhatsApp messages, Get In shows how together they betrayed and marginalised Corbyn and his followers, then forged a path in which promises, and at times principles, were readily discarded in pursuit of power.“
“From electoral wipeout in 2019 to landslide victory in 2024 and on into Labour’s first hundred days in government, Get In is a blistering exposé of the most significant and ruthless political transformation in a generation.
At its heart is Morgan McSweeney, a mastermind of political subterfuge and author of a strategy to eviscerate the party, bury the left and rebuild it as a vote-winning machine. In Starmer he saw the perfect vessel for his vision: a man with no political identity but burning with ambition and a single all-consuming principle: to win.
Drawing on unrivalled access throughout the party and extensive leaks of internal party documents and WhatsApp messages, Get In shows how together they betrayed and marginalised Corbyn and his followers, then forged a path in which promises, and at times principles, were readily discarded in pursuit of power.“
March 2, 2025
This is a fast-paced, revealing account of how Keir Starmer (or Morgan McSweeney) took Labour from crisis to power. Maguire had incredible access so the book offers a fascinating level of insight. I particularly enjoyed the section looking into Labour's campaign strategy with ruthless seat-targeting and persuasion pathways.
Starmer himself remains something of an enigma, described as keeping “a degree’s remove from the business of his own future,” subcontracting major decisions and staying detached when conflicts arise. McSweeney is quoted saying, “Keir acts like an HR manager, not a leader.”
Essential reading for anyone wanting to understand how Labour got back into government.
Starmer himself remains something of an enigma, described as keeping “a degree’s remove from the business of his own future,” subcontracting major decisions and staying detached when conflicts arise. McSweeney is quoted saying, “Keir acts like an HR manager, not a leader.”
Essential reading for anyone wanting to understand how Labour got back into government.
February 26, 2025
An excellent insight into the harsh world of politics and what it takes to apply the discipline to a political party in order to win a general election. One problem is after reading this book it could disillusion the reader from voting for any party. The intrigue, blackmail, prima donnas, and general dross which make up a political party in today’s Britain is difficult to comprehend.
March 11, 2025
The book to read for a different take.
It charts Starmer in a way few other books do and is the better for it. It tells the story of two men who change Labour and win the country, and gives an insights into the characteristics, style and approach that could make and break them.
Definitely the book to read of all of them on what is going on.
It charts Starmer in a way few other books do and is the better for it. It tells the story of two men who change Labour and win the country, and gives an insights into the characteristics, style and approach that could make and break them.
Definitely the book to read of all of them on what is going on.
March 14, 2025
Really enjoyed this - definitely weird reading about events I was at and people I work with everyday. Gabriel and Patrick write really engagingly but definitely a fair few mistakes. I don’t think that Keir comes off badly in this, he is clearly the one who makes the decisions which has been overlooked in a lot of the reviews.
March 1, 2025
An authoritative and insightful account of the Starmer project. Hadn’t appreciated his ruthlessness before… Initially felt it made too much of an effort to sound like a thriller, but soon got into it. Almost as perfect as Shipman’s.
March 13, 2025
Well written and insightful account of how Starmer and McSweeney took control of Labour and got them electable.
Written carefully enough that which ever end of the Labour party you sit on, you start and end probably the your opinions reinforced
Written carefully enough that which ever end of the Labour party you sit on, you start and end probably the your opinions reinforced
February 22, 2025
I think this book is fundamental to understanding how power operates in this government. The answer to that question is probably not what you think it might be …
March 5, 2025
Not internal to Labour Policies or PLP policies or really Kier. Its the story of Chief of staffs and the advisers round The LOTO office. Perhaps a little Niche.
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March 6, 2025What a cynical world we live in
March 9, 2025
Interesting insights but essentially despite the hype - a puff piece for Starmer.
March 11, 2025
Good scoops, a lot of inner detail - would have preferred less 'names' as by half way through it was becoming difficult to remember - maybe a 'Who's Who' list at the beginning would be useful.
March 14, 2025
Quite possibly the best written politics book I’ve ever read
March 15, 2025
Excellent book with obviously strong sources.
Details McSweeneys role in Labours rise, but also demonstrates Starmers hunger for power, and lack of morals and beliefs to get there
Details McSweeneys role in Labours rise, but also demonstrates Starmers hunger for power, and lack of morals and beliefs to get there
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2025
shockingly good, couldn't put it down, especially enjoyed the account of kier starmer screaming with anguish and kicking a bin
March 27, 2025
Depressing.
March 30, 2025
Gossipy and damning piece of journalism.
March 31, 2025
I'm sure there's a lot wrong with this but I enjoyed it.
Read
April 4, 2025It's all the drama Mick I love it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews