Zenga Longmore

Ghosts of No. 10

Perhaps because he lost the American colonies — or was reputedly very ugly. But his wit is fondly celebrated in Gimson’s Prime Ministers

issue 24 March 2018

If you associate Lord Salisbury more with a pub than with politics, here is Andrew Gimson to the rescue, with succinct portraits of every prime minister to have graced — or disgraced — No. 10 to date. You will find no trace of waspish mockery in his book. In a time when heroes are constantly being debunked, its kindly, intelligent tone appears refreshingly old-fashioned.

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