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Once,political whips swore by a code of omerta... 'Thetheory was that you never discussed what went on in the whips' office untilyour dying day, as though you worked at Bletchley Park.'... But not any more. Thoughdecades of silence have fostered intrigue, mythology and suspicion about theiractivities, the whips' office has long played a crucial role in Westminster, greasingthe parliamentary machine and keeping rebellious MPs in check. But while whipsappear all-knowing and ever-present, are they still all-powerfu? heUsual Channels pullsback the curtain on one of Westminster's most notorious elements and explores whetherwhips still have the upper hand. Chartingeccentric traditions and colourful characters, this authoritative guide is notonly an insight into the workings of a crucial institution; it is also amasterclass in the past fifty years of British political history.