About the Author

Philip Cowley is Reader in Parliamentary Government at the University of Nottingham. His last book, Revolts and Rebellions won the Political Studies Association Award for the best book published in 2002.

Reviews

"With unique insights and wit Philip Cowley crushes the myth of backbenchers as poodles. The secrets of the ferment of parliamentary dissent and the arm-twisting chicanery of the whips are revealed. This is a great read and a powerful warning that the rebels in the new parliament will not only bark but bite" Paul Flynn MP "Philip Cowley is now the leading student of the voting behaviour of MPs - to whom journalists automatically turn whenever there is a Commons revolt" Peter Riddell