# Laura Kuenssberg argues British politics has normalised extraordinary conduct

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/pay-attention-by-laura-kuenssberg-review-a-bbc-reporters-howl-of-frustration/
- Published: 2026-11-02T07:00:35+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-02T09:33:13+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/nov/02/pay-attention-by-laura-kuenssberg-review-a-bbc-reporters-howl-of-frustration
- Topics: Culture

## Key points

- Kuenssberg says British politics has normalised behaviour that once seemed exceptional.
- Her book examines failures of governance and politicians’ resistance to scrutiny.
- She links changing public concerns about immigration to Farage’s political opening.

## Summary

Laura Kuenssberg’s *Pay Attention* argues that British politics has come to treat once extraordinary conduct as normal, while politicians avoid difficult truths and scrutiny. The review presents the book as a serious expression of frustration with failures of governance and with voters’ apparent reluctance to engage with the consequences.

Drawing on more than two decades covering Westminster, Kuenssberg discusses the rapid turnover of prime ministers, Boris Johnson’s conduct in Downing Street and Keir Starmer’s large majority without a clear public case for his plans. She examines how Nigel Farage deflects questions and claims media persecution, while arguing that concerns about immigration and the state’s response helped create an opening for his politics. The review also notes her criticism of short attention spans and interview formats that favour personal backstories over policy.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.