Creating the New Local Government: [report of A] RIPA Conference [held at Church House, Westminster, 24-26 January 1973] Book

I think the main reason why I enjoyed the book is the vivid portrayal of people’s political convictions and affiliations in the UK in the 1930s. It feels very relevant to contemporary disagreements between progressive radicals and more mainstream liberals. So it is hugely insightful, and also instructive if you know little about the Spanish civil war and how other European countries were managing their relationship with it. The gay theme felt quite incidental. It’s there and it’s (refreshingly) matter of fact, but it doesn’t drive the narrative. It just happens to be the accident that makes the characters hang out together, and then they end up going to Spain. I suppose I mean that the same-sex relationships are a foil to the political turmoil and the war, not the other way round. And that’s OK; just don’t expect this to be primarily about gay romance.