"A cracking read by a great writer." - Chris Mason, BBC political editor

"A rare, fascinating and funny look at life in the corridors of power." - Isabel Hardman, author of Why We Get the Wrong Politicians and Spectator assistant editor

"It's the book we have long needed." - Michael Crick

"A timely look at how some of the key relationships in Westminster work, and how they sometimes misfire." - Laura Kuenssberg, BBC presenter and former political editor

***

Shadowy geniuses whispering, Rasputin-like, into the ears of our elected politicians under a cloak of secrecy, or a crucial but undervalued cog in the machinery of government?... Or just a rag-tag band of weirdos and misfits?

Despite the acres of speculation devoted to special advisers from Alastair Campbell to Dominic Cummings, their role is much misunderstood. Who are the people Piers Morgan once called 'these miserable little creatures' and just how much influence do they have?

Peter Cardwell served as SpAd to four Cabinet ministers, acting as media adviser, political fixer, troubleshooter and occasional wardrobe consultant. In this candid, compelling and frequently hilarious insider account, he reveals what the job really involves, from dealing with counter-terror emergencies in Cobra to explaining to the Justice Secretary what a dental dam is, to having your inside leg measured in a government office.

Packed with advice on navigating the perks and pitfalls of the job, The Secret Life of Special Advisers will inform and entertain anyone who has ever wondered what these mysterious figures really do all day.

• We started tracking this book on August 26, 2020.
• This book was £14.99 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 26 times in the past 1,796 days.
• The current price of this book is £0.99 last checked 5 hours ago.
• The lowest price to date was £0.99 last reached on July 13, 2025.
• This book has been £0.99 one time since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was £14.99 last reached on October 5, 2020.
• This book has been £14.99 2 times since we started tracking it.
• This book is currently at its lowest price since we started tracking it.

• Politics & Social Sciences

• Publication Date: June 14, 2022
• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 282 Pages
• File Size: 12 KB