Informed by interviews with key political figures and commentators, this entertaining and enlightening book exposes the influences, processes, and motivations behind ministerial promotion in British 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 Promotio8. 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