The Gatekeeper

‘A brilliant vivid and intimate new memoir’ The Daily Mail

‘Eloquent and full of human detail’ New Statesman

’For over a decade Kate Fall was the most influential woman in British politics.’ Alice Thomson, The Times
The Gatekeeper is a very personal portrait of life, as a woman, at the centre of power. As Brexit discussions rail on, Fall offers an intimate account of the preceding seminal political years from the viewpoint of the ‘staffer’ rather than the more traditional memoirs of the ‘principals’- David Cameron and George Osborne whom she worked alongside.

Fall takes us through eleven years of the Cameron project. From its inception and battle to win the soul of the Conservative party, through to life at No 10 during the coalition years. Reshuffles, relationships, routines, political scandals, births, deaths and the crises in between. Through two general elections and the surprise ‘sweetest of victories’ in 2015. Through two referendums, and finally to the third – the European referendum, and to the last days of the Cameron administration.

There is always the principal’s book – and then another which sheds the light on an era in politics – and brings it to life. Fall’s book offers a different perspective – not just on the Cameron years but on life at the centre. About how it feels to be part of a dedicated, focused team all working to one aim. To live one’s life at such a pace under so much pressure; much of it so private, yet under the public gaze. To go home to your children and walk round the park. And for all this to be ‘normal’, for a while.

About the Author :
Kate Fall was Deputy Chief of Staff to David Cameron for six years while he was the British Prime Minister and for five years when he was Leader of the Opposition. She is a senior advisor at Brunswick Group and founding director of their geopolitical offer. She is a member of the House of Lords where she sits on the International Relations and Defence Select committee. She is a Trustee of the bipartisan initiative, Atlantic Partnership, to foster the transatlantic relationship, on the advisory board of 'Onward' a new centre-right think tank, and a founding Ambassador of AGL communications. She lives in London with her two children.

Review :

‘Eloquent and full of human detail, this is a dramatic eyewitness account […] Fall’s book is worth reading for many reasons, but perhaps most of all as an exploration of this strange, fascinating deployment of friendship as political strategy: how it works, and how it fails.’ New Statesman

‘A brilliant vivid and intimate new memoir’ The Daily Mail

‘Fluent, wise and entertaining … The best books on government are often written by those who can watch as well as do … Fall’s compelling memoir of Cameronism falls into the category.’ Evening Standard

‘Entertaining … Fall’s narrative is fast-paced and anecdote-rich… the characters she paints quite beautifully’ The Times

‘The book comes alive when Fall delivers the details and anecdotes.’ The Sunday Times

‘Pacy, personal … Enjoyable and fast-paced’ Financial Times

‘what everyone will be talking about…’ CG Magazine

‘[A] colourful inside scoop … you don’t have to be a political whizz to enjoy it … it feels like a thriller building up to a seismic moment you know is unavoidable.’ Grazia

‘For over a decade Kate Fall was the most influential woman in British politics.’ Alice Thomson, Columnist, The Times

‘Kate Fall was not just the gatekeeper; she was at the heart of the Number Ten operation.’ Camilla Cavendish, The Times, Former Head of the No 10 Policy Unit