Prime member offer
3 months free trial
£0.00
  • Get 3 months of Audible membership free
  • Includes 1 audiobook of your choice each month + unlimited listening to thousands of select audiobooks and podcasts.
  • After 3 months Audible is £7.99 /month.
  • Renews automatically. Cancel anytime. Terms apply.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: £16.99
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour Under Corbyn Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Gabriel Pogrund (Author), Patrick Maguire (Author), Matthew Spencer (Narrator),
See all formats and editions

Brought to you by Penguin.

Left Out is the first full account of Labour's recent transformation and historic defeat.

The 2017 parliament began with Labour on the precipice of power and its left-most fringe - for so long alienated within its own party - closer to government than it had ever been. It ended with them even farther away than they started.

From the peak of Jeremy Corbyn's popularity and the shock hung parliament of 2017 to Labour's humbling in 2019 and the election of Keir Starmer, Left Out draws on unrivalled access throughout the party and to both leaders' inner circles to provide a blistering narrative exposé of the Labour Party during one of the most tumultuous and significant episodes in its history.

It reveals a party riven by factionalism and at war over ideology, then incapacitated by crisis and indecision. From the plotting of the break-away Independent Group to the inaction and despair over accusations of anti-Semitism, from complaints of sexual harassment and bullying to foiled coups and furious disagreements over Brexit, the listener is in the room as tempers fray and tensions boil over, as sworn enemies forge unlikely alliances and lifelong friendships are tested to breaking-point.

At the heart of the book is Corbyn himself, a man whose like had never been seen at the top of British politics - and is unlikely to ever be seen again. Heroised for his principles by some, derided as an idealist by others, the loyalty and hatred he inspired changed not only the party but the nation.

Intimately drawn and brilliantly told, Left Out is the revelatory inside account of how Labour became the party it is today and of the greatest experiment seen in British politics for a generation.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    15 hours and 47 minutes
  2. Author
    Gabriel Pogrund, see all
  3. Narrator
    Matthew Spencer
  4. Audible release date
    4 Sept. 2020
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Penguin Audio
  7. ASIN
    B08GG7DVBC
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible narration with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of £10.99 after you buy the Kindle book.

Product details

Listening Length 15 hours and 47 minutes
Author Gabriel Pogrund, Patrick Maguire
Narrator Matthew Spencer
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.co.uk Release Date 04 September 2020
Publisher Penguin Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B08GG7DVBC
Best Sellers Rank 11,811 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
18 in Writing & Publishing
27 in Words, Language & Grammar (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
1,232 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book informative, detailed, and outstanding. They also describe it as a wonderful, readable insight into the state of the Labour Party. Opinions are mixed on the content, with some finding it even-handed and fair to all protagonists, while others say it's dull and disappointing.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityDetail levelWriting qualitySourcingExaminationStorylineContent
47 customers mention ‘Readability’47 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderful, entertaining, and astonishing. They also say it's a long read, but it manages to stay entertaining throughout.

"...Overall, this is a good read if you are interested in politics and the demise of the ill-fated Project." Read more

"...A brilliant read and an excellent insight into how the Labour party once again managed to put, as its leader, a clown in sheep's clothing in the..." Read more

"...So a good read, lots of detail, based on lots of interviews and evidence. Nobody comes out of it well, but the wreckers are well and truly fingered." Read more

"Great book, very much in the mould of the Tim Shipman Brexit books, and that's quite a compliment...." Read more

42 customers mention ‘Detail level’38 positive4 negative

Customers find the book informative, detailed, and objective in its analysis. They also say the narrative surprises and provides a glimpse below the surface. Readers describe the book as an engaging, outstanding account of the last four years in the Labour Party. They say it's a great gift for anyone politically minded.

"This is a very comprehensive account of the last couple of years of the Corbynista leadership mainly focusing on the years from the 2017 to the 2019..." Read more

"...A brilliant read and an excellent insight into how the Labour party once again managed to put, as its leader, a clown in sheep's clothing in the..." Read more

"...So a good read, lots of detail, based on lots of interviews and evidence. Nobody comes out of it well, but the wreckers are well and truly fingered." Read more

"...It certainly provided me with some interesting background information about the main players involved in Jeremy Corbyn’s rise and fall, and also the..." Read more

32 customers mention ‘Writing quality’25 positive7 negative

Customers find the writing quality very readable, detailed, and tight. They also say the book is thoughtful, balanced, and respectful of Corbyn's idealism. Readers also describe the authors as sober and restrained in their commentary. Overall, they find the book an impressive piece of journalism and respectful of Coryn'd idealism and paints him as a fundamentally good person.

"This is a thoughtful, and balanced, account of the crazy political situation that unfolded in the UK – and specifically the Labour Party – from the..." Read more

"...but, for the most part, I found it quite readable...." Read more

"...The book is respectful of Corbyn's idealism and paints him as a fundamentally good person who is often misguided...." Read more

"...Some sloppy editing and grammatical errors seem to support this...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Sourcing’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the sourcing of the book fascinating, with seemingly impeccable sources and lots of detail.

"...So a good read, lots of detail, based on lots of interviews and evidence. Nobody comes out of it well, but the wreckers are well and truly fingered." Read more

"Very much at the top of the genre. Impeccably sourced, gripping, well structured and balanced...." Read more

"Excellent book, incredibly well-researched, and a brilliant profile of how the glorious failure of the 2017 election became the inglorious failure..." Read more

"...It’s an even handed and fascinating write-up with seemingly impeccable sources. Surely to come to be known as THE political book of the era." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Examination’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's examination great, careful, and brilliant. They also appreciate the brilliant portrayals of the Labour Party.

"Absolutely gripping account of the corbyn era. The text is remarkably even handed and fair to all protagonists...." Read more

"...This careful evaluation, combined with the brilliant portrayals of the internal rivalries and complexities dominating Labour, makes for an..." Read more

"Great analysis of Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party, the ups, downs and splits, the characters passionate for their project but divided on how..." Read more

"The book is a brilliant account of the Corbyn years. It’s an even handed and fascinating write-up with seemingly impeccable sources...." Read more

13 customers mention ‘Storyline’4 positive9 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the storyline. Some find it wonderful and engaging throughout, while others say it's disappointing and boring.

"...fighting between groups with different agendas within the party, sheer incompetence and lack of communication when it came to managing the election..." Read more

"...As a result, quite boring...." Read more

"...Very enjoyable (sic) refreshing - interesting getting under the skin of the protagonists...." Read more

"...In truth this book fails on several counts. The interfactional details are only of interest to members of the Leftish tribe...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Content’3 positive3 negative

Customers are mixed about the content. Some find the book even-handed and fair to all protagonists, with brilliant portrayals of the internal rivalries and complexities dominating Labour. They also say the characters just leap off the page. However, others say the book is dull and the writers were obsessed with intrigue that they failed to set it in the context of the time.

"...The characters just leapt off the page. The authors could capture the essence of a person with one or two verbs...." Read more

"...in particular will find new, or given what a dull read it is, very interesting...." Read more

"...The text is remarkably even handed and fair to all protagonists...." Read more

"...I think the writers were so obsessed with the intrigue that they failed to set it in the context of the big events going on nationally...." Read more

Not handled with care.
3 out of 5 stars
Not handled with care.
Cover dirty and shelf scuffed. Very unimpressed for a new book.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry, we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from United Kingdom

S Riaz
5.0 out of 5 stars Left Out
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 September 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a thoughtful, and balanced, account of the crazy political situation that unfolded in the UK – and specifically the Labour Party – from the 2017 election, when Theresa May gambled, and failed, to get the majority she needed to push her Brexit deal through the commons, to the 2019 election, when Boris gambled, and won.

In 2017, Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour had a surprising success against May. Rather than celebrating, divided Labour officials in Southside were horrified, while ‘The Project’ felt as though they could touch power. Buoyed by the fact they had performed more positively than expected, The Project wrote their wish-list of internal reforms. However, Corbyn was clear that when/if he became Prime Minister, he would not live in No. 10. This was going to be a different kind of politics. ‘Not socialism in one country, but socialism in one corridor,’ as a wag dubbed the Project.

It is clear, though, that not everyone was amused, as was shown by the initial horror that Labour had done better than expected in the 2017 election. The Labour Party was divided and at war with itself. This book takes us through attempted coups, distrust, questionable rhetoric, splits, plots and intrigues. There are accusations of anti-Semitism, accusations of bullying and, at the heart of the matter, Labour’s inability to come up with a workable Brexit stance. Corbyn comes across as a fairly nice guy, but seemed unable to make decisions or take control. Rather than engage, those that worked with him said he had a tendency to withdraw.

Of course, with Parliament at a stale mate, what unfolded was, another, election. By this time, Corbyn no longer had the element of novelty, the Lib Dems had a new leader and, of course, so did the Conservatives. I live in one of the few Conservative London boroughs and the Labour Party canvassed us heavily. Week after week I saw groups of Labour supporters, cheerfully heading out; inspired by Twitter, and student politics; imagining they would win. What those in the Labour hierarchy, and the majority of the population, could see, was that Corbyn was not electable. Had they had a different approach to Brexit, things might had been different, but the idea of another referendum was anathema to a population weary of infighting and stalemate.

Indeed, those in the Labour hierarchy had known that the 2019 election would be a disaster for months. While some refused to accept that voters – especially those in the North – would vote Tory, others knew that it would be difficult to avert disaster. There is also much about the planning, and plotting, which went on even before a vote had been cast for a new leader of the Labour Party. Overall, this is a good read if you are interested in politics and the demise of the ill-fated Project.
14 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jezreel
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good chronicle of the last couple of year of the Corbynista leadership
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 September 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a very comprehensive account of the last couple of years of the Corbynista leadership mainly focusing on the years from the 2017 to the 2019 elections. It details the factionalism of both the Labour Party overall (although the centre/right wing seem to be in retreat after the 2017 election according to this), but mainly on the chaos and factions within the Corbyn leadership itself. The book clearly reveals how unsuited to leadership Corbyn himself was, unwilling to modify or be flexible on the views he had held for years, despite advice, often reverting to 'type' under the influence of North islington colleagues or his wife. He seems to have frustrated even his most loyal colleagues who were often desperate to both protect him from himself and move the leadership to clear and more winnable positions - unfortunately they did not agree on what these were.
As a Labour member I recognised many of the people mentioned in the book but it would have been useful for the authors to have included a list of the main characters, a brief biography, and their positions in the Labour Party, Leader's Office or Parliament.
My main reason for not giving 5 stars is that the book is often unclear in the sense I found it difficult to follow who was being referred to from one paragraph to the next; and that the book jumps around a bit too much rather than having a clear narrative on specific topics.
It felt like the authors needed a good editor to read it through and tidy up some clumsy construction, and clarify references very clear to them but not explicit for the uninformed reader.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Glenn M. Renshaw
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read of the Ins and Outs of Corbyn's Labour Party
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 September 2020
Verified Purchase
I ordered "Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour Under Corbyn" from Amazon, once came, it was finished in a couple of days. A brilliant read and an excellent insight into how the Labour party once again managed to put, as its leader, a clown in sheep's clothing in the hope of hoodwinking the British public that leftwing-insanity is better than a conservative government (even if it is Boris Johnson). The red wall came crumbling down.

Labour has the ability of not learning the lessons from the past. The first Labour government gave Ramsey MacDonald a chance to lead the country, he then jumped ship to head a National Government (supported by the Tories), this was followed by Clem Attlee's centre-left Labour party, just after the war. It lasted 6 years (probably the most radical and successful Government in modern times; see what you can do when you have a comment leader and team). Harold Wilson was the next Labour leader (twice), and to be fair on him, he did learn the lessons of the past and stuck close as possible to the centre-ground. Wilson eventually stepped down, and Callaghan took over. However, Wilson was the last traditional Labour leader to win a general election (that was 46 years ago).

Tony Blair marginalised and changed the traditional Labour party and then reinvented it as Tory-lite/ New Labour, moved to the centre-right (or left, depending on who is asking), accepting Tory policies (in most cases) and then managed to keep the Tories out of office, along with Gordon Brown, for 13 years.

Once Blair stepped down, and Brown was thrown out of office, Labour then threw the baby out with the bathwater. In their wisdom, which only lunatics can do when they've found out that they've inherited the keys to the Asylum, committed insanity on a grand scale and moved – fast as feasible - to the extreme-left. To the point of final humiliated on the 12th December 2019.

The hard left hated Thatcher and now Boris Johnson, but it was the left and hard left, first under Foot and Kinnock and then Ed Milliband and Corbyn who kept them in Government or contributed to their election win. This excellent book looks at how the hard-left helped Boris get an overwhelming majority while at the same time tearing themselves apart with incompetence and back-stabbing. Corbyn, as their leader, came over as bewildered and befuddled most of the time (as he did on TV), with factions fighting against each other. You couldn't make it up. When reading this book, one's thoughts often travelled to the Twilight Zone. Maybe the authors should have had on the front of its cover "You are about to enter another dimension. A dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a shambolic land of imagination. Next stop—The Twilight Zone of Corbyn's mind." They wouldn't have been wrong.

For the record, I am working class (a floating voter, somebody Labour hoped to win over), but that doesn't mean gullible, as Corbyn and his team hoped for.
44 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

D. V. GATENBY
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating reading!
Reviewed in Germany on 12 January 2022
Verified Purchase
A page turner. I am enjoying it.
Report
Paul Workman
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting account of the events but reads like it was written in a rush
Reviewed in Germany on 24 February 2021
Verified Purchase
I like these insider accounts of political events. The authors seem to have assembled a tonne of information to give a detailed account of Labour under Corbyn. It was published shortly after the events and consequently feels a bit rushed - some passages were all over the place. On balance, it does the job.
Report