How we lost our freedoms – read all about it

The state stopped killing people (formally at least) in 1964, but remains notably adept at trampling on our liberties. In a new book published this week, leading human rights barrister Adam Wagner tells of how democracy was subverted during the pandemic, turning ‘a state of emergency into an emergency state’. Former Supreme Court president Lady Hale, no less, describes the work as a ‘riveting account of how our democracy was put under threat and why we must never let the emergency state – all-powerful but ignorant and corrupt, take over again’. Geoffrey Robertson KC, meanwhile, lauds the book as a ‘brilliant analysis of law and politics over the two years in which Britain became a virtual police state’.

Emergency State – How we lost our freedoms in the pandemic and why it matters, is published by The Bodley Head, Vintage at £14.99. We have five copies to give away to Gazette readers. Simply email paul.rogerson@lawsociety.org.uk, placing ‘Emergency State’ in the subject line and enclosing an address. Five lucky lawyers will be drawn from a virtual hat next Friday.