The Ministerial Foothills: Labour Government Junior Ministers 1997-2010

The article assesses the role and influence of junior ministers in the Labour government of 1997-2010, putting them in context against the background of the experience and position of junior ministers in previous British governments. The article also analyses data relating to junior ministers' appointments and promotions under Labour to bring out the patterns of continuity and change in ministerial career paths. Junior ministerial jobs remain key apprenticeship posts in the British system, and though the experience can be a limiting and frustrating one, they undertake many essential ministerial functions and help maintain political control and accountability in government.