Biteback snaps up Seldon's 'insider' view of May's time in power

Biteback is to publish the “definitive insider account” of Theresa May’s time in power by historian Anthony Seldon.

The political and social commentator and official Downing Street historian “will tell the compelling inside story of the most turbulent period in modern British politics for 100 years” in May at 10, the latest in his series on prime ministers.

“It will describe how Theresa May arrived in 10 Downing Street in 2016 with the clearest, yet toughest, agenda of any Prime Minister since the Second World War: delivering Brexit,” Biteback said. “What follows defies belief or historical precedent. This story has never been told.”

James Stephens, publisher at Biteback, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Martin Redfern at Northbank Talent Management. May at 10 will be published in October 2019.

Including a series of interviews with May’s closest aides and allies, and with unparalleled access to the advisers who shaped her premiership, the author “unpacks what has been the most intriguing government and enigmatic prime minister of the modern era”.

Seldon has written biographies of four previous prime ministers including Brown at 10 (Biteback) and Cameron at 10 (William Collins) and is honorary historical adviser to 10 Downing Street.

“‘This is the story from inside the engine room, which is very, very different from how it looks from the outside,” Seldon said. “Only 25 people know what really happened. This story has the oil and sweat and authenticity of the seat of power.”

Stephens promised it would be a “masterclass in political biography and history”. He said: “Anthony’s access is unparalleled, as is the quality of his analysis. His vast experience and ability to get to the heart of events in modern British politics and its principal actors puts him in a class of his own. Like his previous books, May at 10 will be a masterclass in political biography and history.”