Westminster's Secret Service

Overview

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.

Details

Status

Released

Release date

May 21, 1995

Original language

English

Spoken languages

English

Countries

United Kingdom

Production

BBC

Cast

Will Howie,Ray Powell,Tristan Garel-Jones,David Lightbown,Eric Clarke,Michael Cockerell,Norman Tebbit,Iain Duncan Smith,Dennis Skinner,William Whitelawand 19 more

Producer

Alison Cahn,Manisha Vadhia

Budget

Not recorded

Revenue

Not recorded

IMDb

tt5662984