From the acclaimed author of "I Promised a Miracle" and "When the Lights Went Out," the unpublished story of British politics in the modern era, through the triumphs and failures of its five most radical personalities.

"A breath of fresh air: a vivid look at details meets a narrative that seems effortless." - Morgan Jones, LabourList

"A fascinating story of the radical left of the Labour Party." - Jason Cowley, Observer

"The Inquisitors should be studied carefully by anyone with an interest in British politics." - Patrick Maguire, The Times

In the great revolutionary year of 1968, Tony Benn was a respected Labour Party minister in his forties, and he was restless. While new social movements were overturning Britain and much of the world, Westminster politics seemed stuck. It was time, he decided, for a different approach.

Over the next half-century, the radicalized Benn helped shape a new left in Britain. He was then joined by four other politicians, who would become collaborators, partners, and rivals: Ken Livingstone, John McDonnell, Diane Abbott, and Jeremy Corbyn.

For Andy Beckett, the story of these beloved and hated political explorers - both their sudden successes and long periods in the wilderness - is the unpublished story of British politics in the modern era. As he reveals, their plan to create a radically more equal, liberal, and democratic Britain has exerted much greater influence than electoral history might suggest, and can be seen from the shape of our urban life to the causes of our cultural conflicts.

For their many opponents, this influence was and remains dangerous: a form of extremism that must be eradicated. But, as these five inquisitors believed, in politics there is no absolute victory - nor absolute defeat.

Pages: 576, Dimensions: 12.8x12.8cm