The Unlikely Candidate (What Losing an Election Taught Me about How to Change Politics)

“To run for office—no matter who you are—is an act of courage. To run against the possible next PM as a Muslim immigrant when you are guided by the belief that your country deserves better—that’s an act of profound love and hope. Here, Ali Milani tells that story of courage, love, and hope; a story that, in this time of worry and despair, is an intervention on our public discussion." Abdul El-Sayed, Epidemiologist, former candidate for Governor of Michigan

Across the Western world, people are desperate for a radical shift in the kinds of politics and politicians they’re presented with. Primary defeats for established figures and shock results in referendums are becoming the norm, while ‘outsiders’ are shaking up political cultures.

In this book, Ali Milani, a rising star in the UK’s Labour Party, brings a unique perspective to the key political issues we’re facing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, to show how young people from different backgrounds can engage in politics. Using his rollercoaster campaign against Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the UK’s 2019 general election and his time in Bernie Sanders’ campaign team, he inspires a new generation of political leaders from the disenfranchised, disillusioned and marginalised to usher a wave of diverse voices and experiences into mainstream politics.

"Milani understands the political divisions of our time because he has lived them. His insight is important. Kings may yet be overthrown.” Oli Dugmore Head of News and Politics , JOE

"I witnessed Ali's campaign to unseat Boris Johnson up close when I interviewed him for VICE and I was struck by his passion and dedication to a transformative style of politics." Sirin Kale, Guardian, VICE