Phineas Finn, the only son of a successful doctor in County Clare, Ireland, is sent to London to study law. Encouraged by his friend Laurence Fitzgibbon, he becomes interested in politics and is elected as a Whig MP for Loughshane, a pocket borough controlled by Tory Lord Tulla. Although he has no salary, he decides to pursue a political career on his father's modest allowance.In London, Phineas quickly becomes enamored with Lady Laura Standish, the wealthy daughter of a prominent Whig politician. However, Lady Laura's circumstances compel her to marry Robert Kennedy to settle her brother's debts. Despite this setback, she supports Phineas's political ambitions and helps him navigate the complexities of parliamentary life.