Battleaxe: A Memoir by Dame Margaret Hodge - Hardcover

Battleaxe: A Memoir

Born in Alexandria in 1944 to Jewish parents, Margaret Hodge arrived in England at the age of four, an outsider whose origins profoundly shaped her life. Her grandmother's murder by the Nazis and her grandfather's internment as an enemy alien instilled in her a deep-seated commitment to anti-racism and a fierce instinct to fight back.

Over fifty years as an elected representative, including councillor, council leader, MP, and minister, Hodge has navigated political battles on multiple fronts. She challenged the Labour right, the hard left, Margaret Thatcher's policies, the BNP, and antisemitism within her own party. She also confronted oligarchs, tax avoiders, and money launderers who have exploited Britain.

As chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Hodge transformed the committee into a formidable scrutiny body, famously questioning a senior Google executive about tax avoidance. Her direct approach extended to major corporations like Amazon, Starbucks, Goldman Sachs, and HSBC, making tax avoidance a matter of public concern. As Britain's first Children's Minister, she championed Sure Start, a network of children's centres that significantly improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of families, a legacy she regrets seeing diminished by subsequent governments.

Battleaxe is a candid memoir detailing a life lived at the heart of political and social change. It reflects on mistakes made, lessons learned, the grief of losing her husband Henry, and the unexpected freedoms found in life without him. The memoir also captures the joy of her experiences.

Specifications:

• Author: Dame Margaret Hodge
• Binding: Hardcover
• Dimensions: 159 x 36 x 240mm
• Weight: 620g
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 10 September 2026
• Page Count: 368 pages
• ISBN-10: 0008734151
• ISBN-13: 978-0008734152
• EAN: 9780008734152
• Release Date: 10 Sep 2026

This compelling memoir offers a unique insight into the life of a dedicated public servant and her enduring fight for justice and equality.