The big political picture: a history of modern Britain draws parallels with Australia

BOOK REVIEW Britain since 1918 By David Marquand Weidenfeld and Nicholson London 2008 Reviewed by Ian Marsh DAVID MARQUAND HAS a notable string of literary and political achievements to his credit. But none matches this, his most recent study. It is a masterwork of the craft: beautifully conceived, stylishly executed, and generous in iis judgements. The author's voice is just and measured, and the whole is framed by his strong republican convictions. Since suffrage became universal in 1918, this is, as the title implies, a history of British democracy. These past 90 years occupy the bulk of this work, but the differing meanings of democracy that have informed statecraft had an earlier genesis. These different traditions constitute British political culture.