'This is an excellent account of New Labour's governing philosophy. Patrick Diamond's "four phases of governance reform" are especially insightful in understanding New Labour's management of the state and public services. He rightly highlights deep continuities in respect of England's tradition of centralised politics and policy making, while acknowledging the variations on that theme.' Andrew Adonis Patrick Diamond's informed and perceptive study of changes in the pattern of government under New Labour raises big questions now in the coalition era about the traditional, and enduring, centralist Whitehall model, and about adapting ministerial/civil service relations. He is right that we may be witnessing only an initial phase in the reconstruction of the British state.' Peter Riddell, Director of the Institute for Government 'Patrick Diamond has provided a groundbreaking book. Through detailed research with the key actors, he has provided a sophisticated understanding of how government worked in the Blair and Brown administrations. His analysis undermines many of the myths of the era and provide an incisive insight into how government really works.' Martin Smith, Professor of Politics, University of York