Alan Duncan’s diaries are crass and self-indulgent

Peter Cardwell | 20th April 2021 | Uncategorised

Contrary to the book's very first line, Duncan was not "at the centre of British politics for nearly thirty years".

Political life must have been tough for Sir Alan Duncan. Imagine being that talented, having that much political acumen, that much insight and wit, and yet your genius is just not recognised and rewarded by colleagues. Thankfully, the shackles of ministerial office cast off, we can finally gain an insight into Duncan’s innermost thoughts on both these egregious oversights and his true views on his colleagues, including such barnstorming marmalade-droppers as he doesn’t like Boris Johnson very much. Whilst the much-talked about Daily Mail serialisation of Duncan’s diaries centred on his put-downs -- Priti Patel is “a nothing person”, Mark Francois is “a horrid little man” -- this is merely one aspect of Duncan’s literary output. Over a mere 545 pages, we are guided through the whirlwind of meetings, airports, embassies and tea rooms that make up Duncan’s ministerial life. What quickly becomes apparent is just how little joy there appears to be in the life the author has worked so hard ...

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