For many Spectator readers, their only exposure to the workings of the Whips’ Office will be through the machinations of Francis Urquhart, Michael Dobbs’s fictional chief whip made famous in House of Cards. In the first diaries published by a former chief whip, Simon Hart aims to shine a light on the vital and often unrecognised role that the Whips’ Office plays in the functioning of parliament and government.
Having been overlooked by David Cameron and Theresa May, Hart arrives at the top table under Boris Johnson in 2019, nine years after his entry to parliament. He serves as secretary of state for Wales until he joinsa slew of others in resigning from the government – the prelude to Johnson’s resignation as prime minister. When Rishi Sunak is resurrected after the Liz Truss debacle, Hart is appointed chief whip. Our diarist thus takes on the challenge of a lifetime, trying to piece back together an ‘ungovernable’ party.
Somewhat surprisingly, given the book’s title, the first half of these diaries covers Hart’s tenure as secretary of state for Wales. He tries his best to illuminate the job, and the entries are filled with extensive notes about Covid meetings and engagement with Mark Drakeford’s administration on the pandemic response, which will no doubt be interesting to students of the devolution settlement. Hart is clearly – and rightly – sceptical of the Welsh government’s approach in a range of areas, and often hints at his frustration at the powerlessness of his position to influence events.
The most interesting and entertaining passages are found in the second half, covering Hart’s time as chief whip.
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