Just Like Us

This study looks at how British politicians rise to ministerial office. Drawing on interviews with key political figures and commentators, it uncovers the influences, processes and motivations behind promotion in British Government, and it analyses what has shaped the selection and advancement of those who govern since the middle of the last century.

The author starts from the idea that politics is driven by ambition. Although ambition is often criticised, the book considers how it can work positively in practice by pushing politicians to keep striving for advancement, power and achievement. Using many biographies, it argues that politics is at heart about the strengths and weaknesses of the people who hold power.

Climbing the greasy pole, the book shows, depends on several qualities: the strength of a politician's desire, their skills as communicator, manager and administrator, the opportunities that fate happens to provide, and the sheer courage needed to meet each challenge. In the end it sheds light on the lasting obsessions of the small but powerful minority in democratic societies who dare to dream of ruling over everyone else.

The book will interest scholars, students and anyone drawn to British political history, biography and the politics of executive government.