Ian Duncan Smith The Novelist

Ian Duncan Smith has now become a novelist it would appear. His book "The Devils Tune" has been described by Anne Widdecombe in the "Guardian" as "an easy read" but not up to the standards of a Jeffrey Archer novel. Since Jeffrey Archer's novels are absolute rubbish this is hardly a ringing endorsement. Still, as she goes on to say, "had the author not been a high-profile politician I doubt if this tale of intrigue in high places would have attracted a fraction of the adverse comment with which it has been greeted." Like most Tories Anne Widdecombe has managed to miss the point completely. If IDS had not been "a high-profile politician" he would never have been published at all. To all intents and purposes traditional publishing is a closed shop where only the already famous, whether they be sporting stars, actors, politicians, or hack reporters can get their work into print. Which is probably why bookshop shelves are filled with worthless bilge for the most part and why reading is fast becoming a thing of the past. In the case of IDS it is simply a matter of privilege. He gets published despite having no discernable talent except for inflicting misery on the disabled, while countless would-be authors will some measure of real talent get nowhere. As ususal in this pathetic little Kingdom it is not what you know but who you know.