9. Andrew Mitchell, Shadow Minister for Birmingham

As shadow Minister for Birmingham and shadow Secretary of State for International Development, it is Andrew Mitchell's job to ensure the Conservatives enjoy a high profile in the city, and that Birmingham has a high profile within the Conservative Party - and he's enjoyed considerable success.

Party leader David Cameron has been a frequent visitor to the city, and the Tories hold their annual conference here later this year.

The focus on Birmingham is partly a recognition that the West Midlands, with its plethora of marginal seats, will play a central role in the next General Election, but it is also part of an attempt to ensure the Conservatives rebuild and strengthen links with Britain's great cities.

The Tories are a force to be reckoned with in Birmingham, unlike in Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, where they have almost no presence at all.

In some respects, this makes Mr Mitchell's role even more important, as the party's success has come to symbolise its renewal following 10 years in the wilderness.

Mr Mitchell is said to be close to Mr Cameron, even though he backed a rival candidate for the Tory leadership.

The relationship is based on Mr Cameron's respect for his work on international development and on the Tory leader's desire to ensure nobody can ever again accuse it of being solely the party of the South-east.

Mr Mitchell, who replaced Norman Fowler as MP for Sutton Coldfield in 2001, has been the lynchpin of the Conservative effort in Birmingham, playing a leading role in the party's local election campaigns.

Along with city council leader Mike Whitby and Francis Maude, one of David Cameron's closest allies, he is responsible for the party's annual conference coming to the city.

It is also partly due to him that Mr Cameron has made seven visits to Birmingham so far, and he has been the Tory voice in campaigns such as the refurbishment of New Street station.

However, Mr Mitchell has also faced challenges.

Recently, he suffered a potential setback when his long-time ally, David Davis, quit the shadow Cabinet and resigned from the House of Commons, forcing a by-election.

Mr Davis seems to enjoy significant public support, but his actions were nothing but a nuisance for Mr Cameron and there was speculation that Davis' allies could be purged from the shadow cabinet.

This now appears unlikely, and Mr Mitchell is expected to remain in the front line of politics.