This book investigates how the importance of various policy areas has shifted in British government over fifty years. Drawing on a unique dataset of key decision-making venues like the Queen's Speech, laws, and budgets, Peter John traces the evolution of governmental focus on topics such as the economy, international affairs, and crime. The analysis compares these trends with media coverage and public opinion, illustrating key policy changes with concrete examples. The book aims to illuminate pivotal moments in British political history, including Thatcherism and New Labour, by examining different agenda-setting theories and proposing a new framework called focused adaptation.

The book offers a data-driven analysis of British policy-making, providing a novel perspective on political change. Its strength lies in the unique dataset and the accessible presentation of complex trends through figures and examples. The exploration of various agenda-setting models and the introduction of 'focused adaptation' contribute to scholarly discourse on political science. This work is likely to be of interest to students and researchers of British politics and policy studies.