I like to think that when I decided to write ‘Commons People‘ I did it with my eyes wide open. I realised because of the subject matter, that the book was never going to be a best seller. Politicians are not exactly held in high esteem in the U.K., and events such as the expenses scandal have done nothing to improve the situation. But I passionately believe that our democracy suffers if we take no interest in the activities of our elected representatives, and we make no effort to engage with them. The fact of the matter is, we get the politicians we deserve.

Personally I find it both sad and alarming that a mixture of apathy and disenchantment has contributed to a wholesale disengagement with our electoral system. I believe that the media generally have a lot to answer for because of the way they portray our politicians, and the skewed influence they have on the great British public. I don’t wish to sound pompous, condescending or patronising in any way, but a great many people gave their lives so that we could live in a democracy. It may not be ideal, but it is the only system we have, and furthermore, I have never heard any of its’ many critics come up with a viable alternative.

I have never understood the tendency to tar all politicians with the same brush, and so often when you ask the critics if they have ever met their M.P. the answer is no, and when I suggest if they don’t like what’s happening they should stand for Parliament themselves, they often fall silent.

I don’t pretend that ‘Commons People‘ is a great intellectual works. I have tried to write in an easy to read way, in the words of the M.P.’s I interviewed, because the fact is, M.P.’s are representative of us, and they possess the same human frailties as the rest of us. As in every other profession there are honest, hard-working M.P.’s and lazy, and perhaps dishonest ones, but one thing is certain, there would be far less of the latter if we the Electorate took far more interest, and were a whole lot more questioning of their activities.

I should say at this point, I am no apologist for M.P.’s, regular readers of my magazine articles, and my twitter followers will tell you, I can be every bit as critical as anyone else of our M.P.’s. Having said that, I do believe that the majority of our parliamentarians are genuine, honest and hard-working people, doing their best for their constituents. Indeed, I do urge people to make an effort to meet their M.P., and if they did, I have no doubt that in most instances, they would have a far more balanced and conciliatory view. They are there to represent us, and are our political servants, not the other way around. After all, it is our taxpayers’ money they spend. They are human like the rest of us, and as such, their thinking can be influenced, but it only happens if we engage with them, and are able to build a rapport.

In writing ‘Commons People‘, I have tried to dispel some of the media generated myths about M.P.’s, such as actually they do not stop working if they are not in the House of Commons. Far from it! Most of their work takes place within their own constituencies. Also, the backgrounds of our M.P.’s are far more representative of the rest of us, than they used to be, there is still some way to go, but gradually, things are improving.

Without wanting to lavish praise on my own book, I genuinely believe it works because I have no political bias. My advice to everyone is do not vote along party lines, always vote for the candidate who will best represent your views. Also ask yourself, are they a conviction politician who will vote within Parliament for what they genuinely believe in, regardless of what it may do for their career prospects, or how popular it will make them, or will they just vote along party lines? I have been fortunate enough to meet many politicians whose views I may not agree with, nevertheless, they have my admiration and respect because they have conviction. It has been said that the only person to enter Parliament with any true conviction was Guy Fawkes. I am delighted to say I know this not to be true.

So as I said at the beginning, I knew my book would never be a best seller, however I was far less prepared for the frustration caused by the difficulties encountered in trying to market the book. It occurs to me that the whole publishing business is geared towards celebrity, and it is extremely difficult for a new independent author to make their mark. It is like a vicious circle, you need publicity to sell your book, but you need to be selling well to attract publicity.

I can’t deny the feeling I had when I took delivery of my book. Seeing it in print for the first time was amazing, and it is certainly something that I intend to experience again. But next time I will have a far better understanding of the publishing process, and if I have anything to do with it, my second book ‘Football People‘, a far more popular subject, will enhance the sales of my first book. I also spent a considerable amount of time chasing my publishing partner, and whilst I was very pleased and satisfied with the end product, I remain disappointed with the overall experience, I may be unreasonable, but I feel let down by my publisher. Still, you live and learn don’t you…?

I’ll finish with a quote from Stephen Pound M.P. “If the public don’t take an interest in the work of M.P.’s, they let the lazy, idle and venal M.P.’s off the hook. Every time someone sits on the sofa and says, ‘I can’t be arsed with this politics stuff’, some M.P. is rubbing his hands with glee…”

Tony’s Author Page

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