Norman Baker’s book: read it

Norman Baker has been quick off the mark in the ex-Lib-Dem-MPs-write-books stakes, and his Against the Grain has the virtue not only of speed but also of interest and humour even if he leaves the reader hanging with a cryptic reference to 'other reasons' for his resignation as a minister.

From his battles to be allowed to ride a bicycle as a minister in place of a chauffeured car through to how he used theDaily Mail to promote liberalism and his views on how environmental campaigners got their approach wrong in the 2010-15 Parliament (targeting Lib Dems for not doing more rather than Tories for doing almost nothing), the pages about being a minister are packed with insight. Overall, Baker is still a strong supporter of the decision to go into coalition and has more praise for Nick Clegg than for some of his predecessors.