The political world's new publishing sensation, a 350-page sulk by jilted British MP Nadine Dorries, could be spared its fate in the remainder bin by being repackaged as "Politics for Dummies".
At the risk of spoiling The Plot's suspense, Dorries - the former Conservative MP best known as an author of heartwarming novels - "reveals" that a cabal of people, mostly men, some "shadowy", were behind both the elevation and the downfall of Boris Johnson as British prime minister. And that they, and other cabals of mostly men, some "shadowy", had also installed and rolled other leaders. And that one of the shadowy-est was the sinisterly furtive - but daily blurting in the media - strategist Dominic Cummings.
Dorries attests that she can no longer remain silent about these secret conspiracies.
Despite her 20-plus years' political experience, the basic operating model of politics cabals and a degree of shadowiness - came as a tremendous shock.
Deliciously, the real conspiracy is that no one, least of all her publisher, has had the heart to tell her that her catalogue of conspiracies spans activities neither novel nor secret.
Denne historien er fra November 25 - December 1, 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra November 25 - December 1, 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
