Polly Toynbee presents ‘Dogma and Disarray’

British journalist and writer, Polly Toynbee, will be discussing her latest book: ‘Dogma and Disarray’ - Cameron at Half-Time, in St Peter’s Church in Oundle on Saturday 10th November 2012 at 7.30pm.

This is the latest of three books Polly Toynbee has co-written with her partner, journalist David Walker. ‘Dogma and Disarray’ reports that despite confusion and economic failure the Tories’ core commitment is unchanged. Cameron first presented himself as compassionate, caring and green but, once in Downing Street, the laid-back old– school Tory re-emerged on a mission to complete Mrs Thatcher’s work. Looking in detail at the government’s policies during their first two years she warns that, by the next election, the Welfare State may be in irrecoverable ruins unless their mission to downsize and diminish is brought down first by incompetence at the top.

Coming from a long line of intellectuals, historians, and literary critics, Polly Toynbee won a scholarship to study History at Oxford. Her first job was at The Guardian where she worked for many years slowly building a reputation for accurate fact-finding leftof- centre journalism. She has worked for the BBC, The Independent and has been a columnist at The Guardian since 1998. Polly Toynbee and David Walker have previously written two books critically assessing the successes and failures of the Blair New Labour government: ‘Hard Work - Life in Low-Pay Britain’ (2003). Polly Toynbee worked for the minimum wage as a hospital porter, dinner lady, care home assistant, nursery worker, call centre employee and cake factory employee to reveal the hardship of living in low-pay Britain.

‘The Verdict: Did Labour Change Britain?’(2010). In this book, Polly Toynbee and David Walker strip away the political rhetoric and audit the party’s years in power, assessing the impact thirteen years of Labour rule has had on our daily lives. Combining sharp, witty writing, human stories and expert analysis, ‘The Verdict’ blows away the spin surrounding Labour’s bewildering array of initiatives, projects and schemes.

Tickets £10 (£8 conc.) are available from the Festival Box Office on 01832 274734 or online at www.oundlefestival.org.uk