No Love for Johnnie (novel)

No Love for Johnnie is a 1961 novel by British politician and author Wilfred Fienburgh. It tells the story of Johnnie Byrne, a disillusioned Labour Member of Parliament (MP) grappling with the complexities of political life, personal relationships, and the loss of youthful idealism.

The novel explores themes of political betrayal, the allure and corrupting influence of power, and the challenges faced by individuals trying to maintain their integrity within a political system. Byrne is portrayed as a once-idealistic politician who has become disillusioned by the compromises and backroom deals necessary for political success. He faces a crisis of conscience after a broken promise made by his party leadership, leading him to question his commitment to Labour and the value of parliamentary politics.

The narrative also delves into Byrne's personal life, examining his strained relationship with his wife and his conflicted feelings for other women. These relationships reflect his inner turmoil and his search for meaning and connection outside the often-cynical world of Westminster.

No Love for Johnnie offers a critical and often pessimistic view of British political life in the early 1960s. It was adapted into a film of the same name, released in 1961 and starring Peter Finch as Johnnie Byrne. The novel and the film adaptation both contributed to a broader cultural conversation about the realities of political power and the challenges of maintaining moral conviction within a political system.