The Nanny State Made Me

A Story of Britain and How to Save it

By: Stuart Maconie

Narrated by: Stuart Maconie

Brought to you by Penguin.

It was the spirit of our finest hour, the backbone of our postwar greatness and it promoted some of the boldest and most brilliant schemes this isle has ever produced: it was the Welfare State, and it made you and me. But now it's under threat, and we need to save it.

In this timely and provocative audiobook, Stuart Maconie tells Britain’s Welfare State story through his own history of growing up as a northern working class boy. What was so bad about properly funded hospitals, decent working conditions and affordable houses? And what was so wrong about student grants, free eye tests and council houses? And where did it all go so wrong? Stuart looks toward Britain’s future, making an emotional case for believing in more than profit and loss and championing a just, fairer society.

©2020 Stuart Maconie (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"He is as funny as Bryson and as wise as Orwell." (Observer)

A moral reminder/lesson for all

It's hard to listen to Stuart Maconie's words about simple things like public libraries and swimming pools and not feel just a little bit ashamed of 2020 Britain. Enthralling and heart felt. Absolutely loved it!

Excellent thinking, history and conveyed with hunour

His passion is contagious, so happy to have read this - it’s what has been wrong