THE release of former Sunderland MP Chris Mullin’s second diary has unfortunately been overshadowed by the hyped-up memoirs of Tony Blair, the multi-election winning Premier who Mullin describes as “The Man”.Yet although Mullin was simply a junior minister in the “department for folding deckchairs”, his wry insights into life at the bottom of the food chain reveal a huge amount about the egos of New Labour and its inevitable demise.

This follow-up to the acclaimed A View From The Foothills starts in 2005, after Mullin loses his ministerial portfolio, and ends with the 2010 General Election. Mullin is characteristically blunt about his colleagues, describing the unstoppable wave that swept Gordon Brown to power despite the concerns of many Labour members.

Mullin, who stepped down in May this year, is someone who truly believes that politics can change the world for the better. He is dismissive and critical of those who harness the trappings of power for their own personal success. His diaries should not be cast aside in favour of those from New Labour’s inner circle – they are arguably far more important.

Emily Ashton