The Greasy Poll: Diary of a Controversial Election

In the normally sedate rural constituency of Ceredigion, the general election of 2015 exploded into sensationalist headlines and the dirtiest campaign in living memory. At the centre of the fray was Plaid Cymru’s Englishborn candidate, author Mike Parker. The Greasy Poll is Mike’s witheringly honest diary of the campaign, in which he charts the exhilaration and exhaustion of this knife-edge fight. All parties say that they want more ‘real people’ in politics, but Mike’s experience perhaps suggests otherwise. From the perils of social media to the drumbeat rise of neo-fascism, The Greasy Poll details the splits, sags and soggy compromises of modern Welsh politics, and how badly it is failing us.

“It was never going to be easy, but no-one foresaw such a filthy fight, nor so many problems close to home. Mike Parker’s book should be compulsory reading for anyone from outside of the political bubble who is contemplating standing for election. It will soon cure them of the idea.” – Political Commentator and Broadcaster Iain Dale

“This book is by turns funny, thrilling and terrifying. It’s the day-by-day story of idealism as it meets political reality in a Wales with a dishonest media and craven politicians. Mike Parker’s colonoscopy of Welsh politics will make you laugh, and it may make you angry, but above all it will make you want to change things.” ” – Patrick McGuinness, Oxford professor, Booker longlisted author (for The Last Hundred Days) and poet

“telling it as it is, warts and all… it certainly rings true to me”
Dafydd Iwan

“searingly honest… this is a very entertaining book, about a very
interesting election. But it is not always a very comfortable read”
Professor Roger Scully

“Aside from the analysis, personal and political, of interesting times, this is a valuable and insightful book about the Welsh condition.” Richard Lewis Davies , New Welsh Review

“I was so absorbed in this book that I could not put it down until I had finished it in mid-afternoon. I did not feel the need to read it a second time for the purposes of this review, as it had left such a lasting impression on me.
” – Richard E Huws, Gwales