In reply to heidi123:
Workplaces are not meritocracies. Getting promoted is 10% to do with performance, 40% experience/qualifications and 50% profile (like red knickers). This a self-perpetuating spiral, self-serving gobshite managers falling for their kindred's gobshite. Sometimes managers justify it to themselves by pretending they have magical management-skills, which are more important than actually producing anything.
With the possible exception of specialist roles, you need to lower your hard-work principles and start selling yourself. This does not necessarily mean showing your knickers but, e.g. don't let anyone take credit for your work or force you to do the same mundane task all day long whilst they run fun little projects. It is one of those things in life that everyone with a shred of integrity loathes but most give in to and is called 'playing the game'. It is possible to do it 50%.
I'd say looking for another job is ok after 6 months but 1 year is more respectable. Do it for your own career progress not spite, your old boss is not going to be overwhelmed with remorse as he doesn't value you in the first place.
If it's any consolation, almost everyone suffers someone less deserving being promoted above them. Rise above it, life isn't fair and promotion does not equal happiness. Go for a climb and none of this will matter