Special Advisers

The information presented about who they are, their skills and their career paths alone would make this book a ‘must read’ for current and potential ministers, spads and civil servants. -- Gus O’Donnell * Civil Service World, September 2014 *
Special advisers are one of the least understood players at the crossover of the political and civil service worlds. This book sheds valuable new light on their role and on what could be done to clarify their position and to improve their performance. -- Peter Riddell, Director, Institute for Government
Until now the debate about special advisers has produced far more heat than light. Here at last is a serious study looking at what special advisers do – and how they might do it better. These are people at the heart of government and this book brings them in from the constitutional cold. -- Professor Tony Wright, former MP and chair of the Public Administration Select Committee
This fair-minded account of what being a special adviser really involves delves beneath the Malcolm Tucker caricature to reveal an emerging profession whose role is increasingly important in delivering for democracy. The thoughtful recommendations would go a long way to improve the effectiveness and understanding of the special adviser. -- Conor Ryan, Special Adviser to Tony Blair and David Blunkett
Overall, Special Advisers is a comprehensive and fair contribution which will serve anyone wishing to demystify the role well. It is an easy read, albeit a rather dry one...There are plenty of illuminating stories to be told. -- Claire Reynolds * Progress Magazine, 17th September 2014 *
...this is an extremely important book that provides the first comprehensive account of who special advisers are, what they do, and the role [they] play in British Government. -- Martin Smith * Public Law *