The out of favour new Minister for British Schools is stuck in the middle of a government going off the rails. But the looming end of his ministerial career throws up unexpected opportunities for new learning.Can he manage his allocated team of special advisers and keep the Prime Minister at bay? Can his final fall through political space time do anything to tackle the crises on all fronts? When the only help available comes from unexpected quarters, can disparate actors collaborate to make an impact on the political game?