Treaty for Government

If you are ever angered by the standard of government we endure, you are not alone. A key issue for democratic politics, in the UK and many other nations, is what to do about voter disengagement. The faith that electorates have in governments – of whatever party – to make their lives better is dramatically decreasing, while the incompetence of our political structure and of those elected to office becomes ever more apparent. This problem is now so acute that many believe we are in danger of losing an entire generation from the political process.

What is stopping government working as we would like? Many elements are blamed, and many sources propose a variety of solutions, such as better party politics, better democracy, better accountability. Ed Straw argues firstly that government doesn’t have to be this bad, and secondly that nothing will improve until we understand that the present system as a whole is itself what stands inthe way of successful government.

Taking as its premise the fact that governments are ‘organisations’ – bigger, more complex and more important than most, but organisations nonetheless – the author analyses the root causes of repeated, systemic failure, and proposes a radical yet practical solution: the Treaty for Government. Both timely and groundbreaking, this book sets out the design for an agreement between a society and those whose job it is to improve it, showing us how we can break the cycle and achieve the results we deserve but which the status quo can never deliver.

Easily the most interesting book I read in 2015. Essential reading for the politically disillusioned.Ian A Elliot

Excellent read. Well argued and brilliantly put forward
Amazon

I would seriously recommend that anyone disillusioned by gridlocked politics try reading @EdAStraw’s ‘Stand & Deliver’ #USMidtermElectionsTwitter

Ed Straw is fed up with the way the UK is governed and says it’s time for a revolution.BBC News Online

I can thoroughly recommend this book, insightful and relevant
Amazon

Excellent read if you have an interest in constitutional affairs. Even if you don’t, it’s a well written, witty breakdown of how government should work.
Amazon

An invaluable and weighty contributionProgress

Stand and Deliver is dense in that it is packed with detail, but it is also interesting 
and accessible. It would be a shame if Straw’s book was only read by policy wonks 
and political commentators. An irony, even. You the public need to read this book, 
or at the very least, look at the website. Click here to read full review.The Bookbag

Straw book calling for a government revolutionWales Online