Penny Mordaunt - Greater: Britain After the Storm

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Im deeply proud to be British, not least because of the extraordinarily brave, funny, brilliant, kind and talented people who call these small islands home. In particular, Im proud of Britains history of engaging in the challenges people face, not just at home but around the world. It has inspired and supported the work of my AIDS Foundation, which aims to help end this devastating pandemic around the world. A book examining what it means to be British and Britains potential to be a force for good in the world is timely. Penny and Chris should be congratulated on seizing the opportunity to look forward in this interesting and enjoyable book.

S ir E lton J ohn

In her maiden speech to Parliament, my sister Jo Cox MP said, We are far more united and have more in common than that which divides us. Sadly, it hasnt always felt like it in recent years. At her murder trial, the judge said that Jo was a true patriot and that when she was killed the tributes to her from across the political spectrum were spontaneous, sincere and fulsome. Indeed, our family saw, and felt, the best of humanity and the best of British at that unbelievable time. Britain is great, but we know to our cost that it can also be greater, and the themes explored in this excellent book give us all an opportunity to reflect on what we can do to play our part in the journey to make it so. I hope we do. Well done, Penny and Chris.

K im L eadbeater MBE, A mbassador for T he J o C ox F oundation

This is a really important book. Because whatever disagreements there are about the recent political past, there is no doubt at all that the spirit Britain needs for its future is one that is optimistic, outward-looking, innovative and inclusive. And that is the spirit of the book Penny and Chris have written, which makes it both uplifting and highly readable.

R t H on . T ony B lair, former P rime M inister of the UK

This really readable and funny book reminds me of so many of the things I love about the UK and gives me high hopes for the future.

R ichard C urtis , screenwriter, producer and director ii

I really enjoyed reading this. Smart, thoughtful, passionate and funny, it injects a welcome dose of optimism into the debate about Britains future. Probably nobody will agree with every word, but thats one of the books great virtues: it makes you think. Anybody interested in our political and economic future, our global cultural impact or simply the lasting significance of Norman Wisdom will find it an enormously provocative and engaging read. And above all, its great fun, which is the most important thing of all.

D ominic S andbrook, historian, columnist and author of T he G reat B ritish D ream F actory: T he S trange H istory of O ur N ational I magination

How can Britain be better? Penny and Chris make a thoughtful, passionate, affectionate and surprisingly funny attempt to answer this central question. How do we heal divisions, forge a common future, create a modern national narrative and remind ourselves that we have more in common than that which divides us? A necessary book, lightly written. Bravo.

R t H on. R uth D avidson MSP

This is a delightfully crafted love letter to those queer folk we call the British. Its eloquent, eccentric, hugely entertaining, at times impossibly argumentative and, above all, bloody good fun.

L ord (M ichael ) D obbs of W ylye, author of H ouse of C ards

Self-belief and self-awareness are needed to achieve any goal. This book provides a plan and, perhaps more importantly, restores pride in our country and each other. When we are united and focused, there is nothing we cannot do.

S ir B en A inslie CBE, gold medal-winner at four successive O lympic G ames and winner of the A mericas C up

The book is a breath of fresh air which should appeal to all those aware of our past and concerned about our future. From the first sentence, the authors capture the readers attention, and then it is full speed through the analysis of Britain and how the British see themselves.

S ir M alcolm R ifkind KCMG QC iii

This is required reading for public office. It combines some of the best thinking from all sides, written with understanding and love for who we are and still can be.

I ain D ale , broadcaster, political commentator and author

Truly impressive expect to see this book in any international commentators shelfie! As a new era of US leadership dawns, this is a timely blueprint for what global Britain should be all about. Eminently qualified to report from the frontline of politics and business, Penny Mordaunt and Chris Lewis raise the bar on Britains aspirations.

R t H on . T obias E llwood MP, chair of the D efence S elect C ommittee

Britain will need a clear vision and renewed hope for the decade ahead. This book offers them arguing it has the reasons for confidence and the resources to meet the challenges. After five years of division and turbulence, here is a path to a better future.

S ir A nthony S eldon FRSA FRH ist S FKC, B ritish educator and contemporary historian

After three decades in the European Union, for better or worse, we are out and on our own. But geography, and neighbours and common risks do not depart. We urgently need a route map for the future which will unite our fractious people. This book and its two experienced and insightful authors have given us a serious contribution to the great debate our country needs to have.

R t H on . L ord (G eorge ) R obertson of P ort E llen

Penny Mordaunt is one of the freest and most independent spirits in British politics. She forms a really fruitful partnership with Chris Lewis. Not even high ministerial office can sap her verve and the stimulus she can bring to the national conversation. This book brims with it.

R t H on . L ord (P eter ) H ennessy iv

At last, a book about why we can and should be proud to be British and how we can draw on our character and values as the foundation on which to build our future. The book is timely, provocative and funny.

S ir M ichael B arber , I nstitute for G overnment

Lewis and Mordaunt move effortlessly through British culture and countryside from Goodwood via the Wombles and Felicity Kendal to the intricacies of the offside rule. A tour de force.

E dmund K ing OBE

This is a brilliantly written book that holds our hand and guides us with humour and elegant prose through the distorting lens of nostalgia towards a more realistic, measured and confident vision of who we are now and what we are capable of achieving next.

P rofessor R ussell F oster CBE FRS

Penny Mordaunt and Chris Lewis have written an essential book about some of the most important issues we face as a country today. Its a hugely entertaining read that tackles some vital questions, including how we can reunite our polarised country and how our local communities can become even stronger. After a turbulent few years, this is exactly the optimistic, patriotic and ambitious book that our country needs.

D avid S kelton, author of L ittle P latoons: R enewing O ne N ation and E mpowering E nglands F orgotten T owns

At the core of most scientists is the determination to withstand the domination of authority and to verify all statements by facts and experiment. Our brilliant Oxford scientists working with our outstanding care sector have made a massive contribution to combatting Covid. As this book points out, these are some of our most treasured professions.

P rofessor S ir J ohn B ell FRS H on FRE ng PM ed S ci , R egius P rofessor of M edicine at O xford U niversity