‘Just Like Us’?: The Politics of Ministerial Promotion in UK Government

Bill Jones is Honorary Professor of Political Studies at Liverpool Hope University, UK.

• Introduction 1. Becoming a Professional Politician 2. Negotiating Promotion 3. The Recruitment Pool and the Role of the Whips’ Office 4. Reshuffling the Pack 5. The Role of the Media 6. Special Advisers (SPADs): The New ‘Apprentice Ministers’? 7. Opposition Parties and Promotion 8. How to be an Effective Minister 9. Dreaming of Downing St: Churchill, Lord Home and Liz Truss 10. Promotion of Gender, LGBT and Ethnicity Ministers in British Government 11. ‘Promotion Velocity’ and the ‘Boris Problem’ 12. Concluding Comments

“This highly original, readable and illuminating book explains with crystal clarity what exactly has gone wrong with our ministerial leaders.”Sir Anthony Seldon, University of Buckingham, UK“Bill Jones draws upon a wealth of knowledge and evidence to produce a truly fascinating book. He addresses some key questions which are rarely satisfactorily answered. Why do some people want to become politicians? What do they hope to achieve? How do they negotiate (or fail to) a game of political promotions akin to snakes and ladders? Is the old adage that all political careers end in failure really true? Avoiding lazy cynicism or unsupported assertions, Jones draws upon numerous astute political observations and examples spanning several decades to explain what makes politicians tick and whether they really do make a difference. This is a must-read book for anyone interested in politics.”Jon Tonge, Professor of Politics, University of Liverpool, UK