Overview

Whips pride themselves on their secrecy and discretion. Reporter Michael Cockerell uncovers their shadowy world and reveals how they operate. How close to reality is the fictional Chief Whip Francis Urquhart, in the drama series House of Cards? Government Whips can make or break ministers and ensure they know all the secrets of the private lives of their fellow MPs. One Tory MP claims that the Whips are a gestapo, but another says they are democracy's unsung heroes - as necessary for Parliament as sewers are for civilisation.

Genres

Cast

Michael Cockerell

Self

Stephen Dorrell

Self

Iain Duncan Smith

Self

Nigel Lawson

Self (Archive Footage)

John Major

Self (Archive Footage)

John Prescott

Self (Archive Footage)

Norman Tebbit

Self

Margaret Thatcher

Self (Archive Footage)

Dennis Skinner

Self (Archive Footage)