Westminster's Secret Service

The story

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.

Cast

M Michael CockerellSelf R Rupert AllasonSelf J Joe AshtonSelf E Eric ClarkeSelf G Geoffrey DickensSelf S Stephen DorrellSelf J Jim DowdSelf I Iain Duncan SmithSelf T Tim FortescueSelf D Derek FosterSelf T Tristan Garel-JonesSelf W Will HowieSelf

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N Nigel LawsonSelf (Archive Footage) D David LightbownSelf J John MajorSelf (Archive Footage) G Gordon McMasterSelf R Robert MellishSelf M Michael NeubertSelf J Jon Owen JonesSelf C Cecil ParkinsonSelf R Ray PowellSelf J John PrescottSelf (Archive Footage) H Hugh RossiSelf E Edward ShortSelf N Norman TebbitSelf M Margaret ThatcherSelf (Archive Footage) W William WhitelawSelf B Betty BoothroydSelf (Archive Footage) D Dennis SkinnerSelf (Archive Footage)