An Accidental MP

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Martin Bell

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Pages: 240 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 0670892319

Pub: Viking

Pub date: 2000-07-09

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 592768

Editorial Review:

If the BBC had found me a small war somewhere, none of the rest of this story would have occurred.
There is a photograph in An Accidental MP of Martin Bell, brow furrowed, mouth open, eyes glazed with what could be incomprehension or incredulity. This could almost be the freeze-frame embodiment of this engaging self-penned account of his by-election victory over Neil Hamilton, Tory MP and the parliamentarian most associated with sleaze, and his subsequent career as parliament's first Independent MP for almost half a century. A self-admitted layman in politics with no party allegiances, Bell was sick of the dumbing down of BBC news into "newzak" when he accepted the suggestion of standing as a candidate, almost in the course of after dinner chat. However, not everyone wakes up the next morning with a call from Alastair Campbell. As an Independent he had no party machine, "more a contraption" to guide him through the procedural minefields. This in itself would have made for a fascinating everyman story to lead readers through the palace of Westminster, its personalities and processes. Yet perhaps it is Bell's sense of fair play that prevents him from taking us through more of the details of his excellent adventure. He almost comes across as an anachronism, but his self-righteousness seems reasonably well-placed. His passion is undeniable, his sense of injustice acute, and his narration of the effects of landmines and the disgraceful treatment of paratrooper Major Milos Stankovic by the Ministry of Defence pertinent and compelling. His discussion of the Kosovo war is strong on commitment, although readers looking for more detail might find deeper argument in Michael Ignatieff's Virtual War. There are few surprises for the cynical: parliament is increasingly populated by cronies, MPs debate too long, and Peter Mandelson really is the prince of darkness. Yet this is a fascinating read carried along by Bell's self-effacing wit. Apparently he is toying with the idea of continuing beyond his pledge of one term. One doesn't know whether to pity his foolhardiness or envy his next great adventure. --Larry Brown

Reader Reviews:

Interesting but just a little too smug (7/7 people found this helpful)

I looked forward to gaining a unique insight into life as a politician, free from mainstream party constraints and spin. But was disappointed by the lack of real detail regarding Mr. Bell's daily duties once elected and the real workings of the House of Commons. It spent too long detailing the build up to his winning the seat and his "battle" with the Hamiltons and then on a couple of individual episodes during his term in power (e.g. returning to the Balkans).

It seemed abit of a rushed job and inevitably suffered from an autobiography's tendency to paint it's subject in only the best of lights. Still worth reading, but don't expect a political classic.

Informative, Interesting, Revealing. (4/4 people found this helpful)

I found Martin Bell's 'An Accidental MP' a good read for a number of reasons. Primarily that Bell occupied a unique position within the 1997 Parliament as the the House of Commons only Independent MP. As he points out in the text, the first Independent for 47 years. It is especially worth reading his account of taking on a large Conservative machine defending a strong majority.

Dealing with constituents was a central part of the book, the many dramas that unfold within a town are well described. The most prominent of these MP-voter relations was the way in which Bell dealt with the man he replaced, the now famous Neil Hamilton.

It is also revealing as a story of a man outside of the normal political processes of the Commons, he had no party, no activists, no funding and no natural supporters. I would reccommend 'An Accidental MP' to anyone interested in the one off characters in Parliament, but also anyone interested in recent party political history-a place that Martin Bell now inhabits after his political death at the 2001 General Election.

A view from the political subs-bench (4/4 people found this helpful)

Martin Bell has done it again: if you haven't read 'In Harm's Way' it is well worth the trouble as it provides a lot of the background for this fascinating account of life in Westminster for the Independent MP for Tatton. From the acrimonious relationship with Neil Hamilton and his... wife, Christine, to representing the cause of Major Mike Stanley (Milos Stankovic) Bell portrays himself as an interested, but sadly powerless, observer on the inner workings of Parliament. I got to the end of the book feeling quite sorry for him: as if he'd been frog-marched into Westminster without the slightest idea what he was doing there and with little chance of pleasing anyone there or, ultimately, his constituents. The book raises many issues and links into many other books I would like to have the time to read. Excellent read.

Outstanding (2/2 people found this helpful)

This book, by the honest man of politics, is a must for those independently-minded enough to want to gain a valuable insight into the Machiavellian nature of early twenty-first century British Parliamentary politcs.

Being, as he says, the Chief Whip of his own party - the first Independent Memeber of Parliament for forty-seven years - Marin Bell is able candidly to reveal the less than scruplous workings of Britain's monolithic political parties.

Written with great humour, candour and typical self-effacement "An Accidental MP" is an absorbing and illuminating read.

British politics needs more men and women like Martin Bell.

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