He was the Prime Minister Britain never had. Had Lord Michael Howard chosen his PPS, Graham Brady, over the freshly elected David Cameron and George Osborne, the course of British political history might have been very different. A true gentleman with deep roots in working-class culture, Brady stands apart from his peers—driven by a genuine passion for the nation and its people. He famously sacrificed a ministerial career to defend grammar schools, believing firmly in their role in promoting social mobility. As a product of the grammar school system himself, he championed its values with conviction and courage. He could have sidestepped controversy and hidden behind political briefs, but chose instead to stand by his principles. KING MAKER – A compelling, essential read. — Review by Anasudhin Azeez
He is the second most famous man from Salford. While L.S. Lowry found fame only after his death, Sir Graham Brady has been in the news since 1997 as a Member of Parliament. The lower middle-class boy from Salford became the youngest Conservative MP in the House—and went on to become one of the most influential figures in British politics as Chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee, the Tories’ equivalent of the Labour Party’s trade unions.
In “Kingmaker: Secrets, Lies, and the Truth about Five Prime Ministers,” Sir Graham recounts his journey from Salford and Timperley to Durham and Westminster. Known within the party as “Mr Discreet,” he now reveals the backstage dramas behind some of the most crucial political moments in modern British history.
He has witnessed the rise and fall of five Prime Ministers since 2010: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak. As the man who chaired the group with the power to initiate a leadership contest, it was often his hand that metaphorically held the executioner’s axe.
“Kingmaker” lifts the lid on the leadership battles that have defined Britain’s turbulent political landscape. His fourteen-year tenure as chair of the 1922 Committee saw the formation of a coalition government, Brexit, Covid-19, Partygate, and Trussonomics. More upheaval than any other period in modern political history—he was at the centre of it all, watching silently. Until now.
With unique access to every key decision-maker of the last decade and a half, Brady offers an insider’s perspective on the personalities and decisions that shaped recent governments. The book not only provides behind-the-scenes insights but also explores the deeper failures of leadership that have plagued the country—and asks who might be fit to lead in the future.
Despite his stature, Sir Graham remains grounded. He is proud of his roots and grateful to the institutions that shaped him. Whenever facing a setback or victory, he reflects:
“I felt bad about withdrawing from the Stoke contest, but Altrincham was my home seat. The grammar school boy in me thought, once again, that surely opportunities are there to be taken.”
He also pays tribute to Winston Churchill, another young parliamentarian.
“While Winston and I both entered Parliament as the youngest Conservative MP, he did so as the fifth generation of his family. I was the first generation of mine to be elected to the House.”
The book opens with a dramatic scene: sneaking into No. 10 through the back door to tell Liz Truss her days were numbered—that the lettuce was indeed winning. Brady details the internal strife during the leadership of William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Howard, and David Cameron. He also discusses political manoeuvres by Tory heavyweights like Michael Portillo and David Davis, and exposes the hypocrisy of former Prime Ministers—with evidence to back it.
He applauds Labour’s mantra of “Education, Education, Education” but critiques the introduction of university tuition fees: A Labour government taxing the public for higher education—how ironic.
“I took I ain (Duncan Smith) some figures from the House of Common library which showed what the new tuition fees would equate to for a middle-income family with three children, expressed as an income tax increase. My case wasn’t that tuition fees were wrong per se, but rather that to increase people’s taxes, as by then Gordon Brown was, and at the same time to make them pay for something previously funded by general taxation, was unacceptable.
Brady also recounts scandals such as Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone’s £1 million donation to Labour to keep tobacco advertising alive and prime minister Tony Balir’s audacity to justify it on national television.
Brady is critical of the lack of meritocracy in British politics. The North-South divide and posh, elitist upbringings still block many talented individuals. School and university connections remain key to unlocking power. Had Sir Graham chosen Oxbridge instead of Durham, could he have changed the country’s destiny?
He was, perhaps, the Prime Minister we never had. Had Michael Howard chosen Brady, then his PPS, instead of the newly minted David Cameron or George Osborne, British history might have followed a different path. Brady, with his gentlemanly demeanour, deep roots in working-class culture, and unwavering passion for his country, has always stood apart. He even sacrificed his government career to defend grammar schools and their role in enabling social mobility—something he personally benefited from.
He could have taken the easy route, deflected the tough questions, and hidden behind a brief. But he didn’t.
A must-read.
