Based on unprecedented access to both rebels and whips, The Rebels shows how a group of MPs routinely dismissed as spineless and feeble have become one of Tony Blair's biggest headaches. Written by Britain's leading expert on the subject, it details the clashes between the Prime Minister and his backbench MPs since 1997. The Rebels tells the inside story of the revolts on tuition fees, foundation hospitals and the Iraq war, and investigates when and how the whips intervene to keep MPs on message.