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00:00There are some men, and I count myself amongst them, who cannot bear to be idle.
00:08I could, of course, reveal to the nation that the Prime Minister and his brother are both
00:11implicated in an outrageous piece of insider dealing.
00:16But I think we'll let that one mature a little first, don't you?
00:19On the other hand, we need to keep Charles and Henry Collingridge in the public eye if
00:24possible.
00:25I can't depress.
00:26I'm grateful for anything in the city season.
00:29Now, the Prime Minister usually takes the precaution of packing his embarrassment of
00:34a brother somewhere well out of sight until the end of September.
00:40Some Ruru French slum in the Poitou-Charentes this year, I gather, where Charlie could get
00:46peacefully blotted, while the Prime Minister saves his money and holidays at home, posing
00:53as a country gentleman at checkers.
00:56So it was most unfortunate when someone tipped off the tabloids about Charles Collingridge's
01:03holiday address.
01:04Bastards.
01:05What the hell has poor old Charlie done to deserve that?
01:09Just had the bad luck to be my brother, that's all.
01:11Most families have someone like Charlie, someone who can't make it on their own.
01:15Yes, right.
01:17You're right.
01:18If I stick by Charlie, people will respect me all the more for it.
01:24I'd like to think you did it for him, not just for the opinion polls, Hal.
01:27Well, of course.
01:31Duty and self-interest happily coinciding.
01:34For once.
01:36After the silly season comes the conference season.
01:39Good morning, Mr. O'Keefe.
01:40Good morning.
01:41Opposition did rather well this year, abandoned their usual tactic of squabbling in public
01:46and shooting themselves in the foot.
01:47Had a go at us instead, especially the Prime Minister, I'm sorry to say.
01:52Most unsporting.
01:53Good morning, Teddy.
01:54So it's very important that our party chairman gets his fine-tuning right before we all sally
02:02off to Brighton.
02:03The essential thing, of course, is to present a totally united and confident front, while
02:09avoiding any impression of complacency.
02:12The natural party of government, but at the same time, a listening government.
02:18Roger.
02:19Thank you, sir.
02:21The big banner, and that's the spirit and the theme of this year's conference, prompted
02:27by the PM's last speech, is finding the right way.
02:31Patrick?
02:32I don't mind the right way.
02:37Finding is a bit bloody silly, though, isn't it?
02:38We should have found the way by now, shouldn't we?
02:41I mean, what are we?
02:42The natural party of government, or the babes in the bloody wood?
02:45Well, taking your point, Patrick, I should say that market research shows us to be a
02:49little too smug and sure of ourselves.
02:51Well, so we bloody well should be.
02:52People aren't going to vote for don't-knows, are they?
02:54Perhaps going the right way.
02:57Rather implies that the party, or someone in the party, is on the way out, don't you
03:03think, Teddy?
03:04With the greatest respect, going, going, gone.
03:08Thank you, Francis.
03:09A good point.
03:40He's arrived.
03:43Who?
03:44Our leader, Elizabeth.
03:45Who else?
03:46The broken reed.
03:47The man of straw.
03:50Good things of day begin to droop and douse.
04:02A party conference can be many things.
04:05A show of confidence.
04:09An agonising reappraisal.
04:12Or, as in this case, a series of auditions by pretenders to the throne while the lost
04:17leader withers before our very eyes.
04:21Michael Samuel's environment.
04:24Intelligent, sensitive, caring, all in the same sentence.
04:28I bet you that doesn't mean a return to subsistence farming.
04:31What it does mean is sensitive exploitation of natural resources, intelligent self-interest
04:38to motivate long-term gains in a caring capitalist concept.
04:45Told you.
04:53Peter McKenzie, health.
04:55Pressure on the state system.
04:58Enabling our professionals to do a better job for those unable to fend for themselves
05:05financially.
05:06So that now we can say with real confidence, carry on nurse.
05:14God, what an idiot that man is.
05:20Harold Earle, education.
05:22Made the schools accountable at last.
05:24We've grasped the nettle and we've taken it on board.
05:28It's not always been the most comfortable way.
05:31But one thing I do know and time will prove it.
05:34It's the right way.
05:36It's the right way.
05:47And Patrick Woolton, foreign secretary.
05:50No one's more admiring and enthusiastic than I am about the amazing strides taken by our
05:55friends in Eastern Europe.
05:57But hold on, I mean sorry to Baric.
06:00If I'm going into the conference chamber to have big hugs with Russian bears, I'd rather
06:06not leave my six guns at the door if it's all the same with you.
06:21Dear old Patrick.
06:23Likes to sound like a bit of a buccaneer now and then.
06:25But he's right behind Henry Collingridge all the way and that's exactly what he'll tell
06:28you so himself if you ask him.
06:30Roger, have you got a moment?
06:31I'm so sorry, I went to crowd you for too long.
06:33Over here.
06:38Glad to be rescued.
06:40Like being in a loose mall with a French pack, so it was.
06:43Ah, don't get me wrong, Francis.
06:44Loving every minute of it, the old cotton thrust.
06:46What's your impression?
06:47How's it coming across?
06:48Well, you can see for yourself.
06:49Looks lovely on the telly but the lobby press aren't buying it.
06:52They saw Patrick Wooten having a go this afternoon.
06:54Leadership crisis is the story they want.
06:56Well, we can only do our best with the material they give us.
06:59Your assistant's doing sterling work over there.
07:02Ah, that girl is like gold, Francis.
07:04I'm sure.
07:06She's your mistress as well, I take it.
07:08Is that a privilege exclusive to yourself?
07:11What?
07:12I said, do you enjoy her body on an exclusive basis or is she available to others as well?
07:18Now, hold on, Francis.
07:20I don't think that's really the kind of...
07:22Don't be coy with me.
07:23You know I could have you in the gutter any time I like.
07:26Answer my question.
07:27Well, you know me and Penny, we go back a long way.
07:31Some ways we're more like brother and sister.
07:35We allow each other a little time off now and then for good behaviour if you follow me.
07:40Now, listen, Francis, it's not simple.
07:43She's not a...
07:44You can't just...
07:46I'm sure she'd be very flattered to think...
07:48If you could, like, ask her really nicely, I'm sure...
07:50Shut up.
07:52Did you really think I wanted her?
07:54Oops.
07:55Sorry, my mistake.
07:56Didn't you lend her to Patrick Woolton a little while ago?
08:00That was research.
08:03He wanted a bright girl for a bit of research in a hurry.
08:05Bright girls for research.
08:07Where would the house be without them?
08:09I think he may want to borrow her again.
08:11More urgent research needs.
08:13Would she be available, do you think?
08:17It's not impossible.
08:20I'll broach it gently.
08:21Leave it to me, Francis.
08:23And I have another little task for you.
08:25Just a small delivery, John.
08:37Morning, sir.
08:38Morning.
08:43Morning.
09:07Come on, come on, come on, sleeping beauty.
09:11Bloody hell, Roger, what do you want?
09:14To drown in your eyes and hide in your arms, darling.
09:40I've only just set eyes on the bloody thing,
10:00because Pennington here has only now worked up the courage to show me.
10:03It's very bad, Francis.
10:05The poll was taken before the conference, Prime Minister.
10:08I'm sure you'll turn it round before the week's over.
10:11We've seen it all before, after all.
10:13Yes, you're a good fellow, Francis, but 30%.
10:16It's a hell of a lead to pull back.
10:18Right, speak to you soon.
10:20Of course.
10:27Do you know, Elizabeth, I believe our leader is starting to worry.
10:32There's a major story breaking, and I think Greville would want to know about it now.
10:36All right, who's dead?
10:38Henry Collingridge.
10:40Well, not literally.
10:41Grev, I've got hold of the secret poll.
10:44You know, the Tories' own one.
10:46It's sensational.
10:47They're 30% behind, and Collingridge is about as popular as Captain Hook.
10:52And who decided to make you a present of this secret Tory poll?
10:56I don't know.
10:57It was left outside my door.
10:59All right, I know it sounds weird, but it's the genuine article, I'm convinced.
11:03You've been set up, you silly cow.
11:06Now, don't let me hear any more about this unless you have absolute stand-up in court.
11:10Prove it's kosher.
11:12And don't you ever get me out of bed again unless it's adultery in the royal family with photographs.
11:21Pig.
11:26Right.
11:28Gay Jackass.
11:33Gay Jackass.
11:36Kevin Spence.
11:38Central Office Research.
11:49Come on.
11:52Damn.
11:54I'm not going to let you get away with this.
11:56I'm not going to let you get away with this.
11:58I'm not going to let you get away with this.
12:00I'm not going to let you get away with this.
12:02Damn.
12:05Well, lovely.
12:08Nothing to beat it, eh?
12:11I wish you really meant that.
12:13I do, I do, truly.
12:14A lovely girl.
12:16No, no, Rog.
12:18Don't. Come on.
12:22Oh, Rog.
12:27Got a little surprise.
12:29What?
12:30What are you up to?
12:33Oh, Roger.
12:35You're not taking cocaine at eight in the morning for a Conservative Party conference.
12:39Don't you think I have fantastic style?
12:41I think you're balmy.
12:43Nonsense.
12:45This is brilliant stuff.
12:47Know where I got it?
12:50Grosvenor Square.
12:54This stuff is usually only available to the CIA.
12:57CIA. Yum, yum.
13:00What are you trying to do? Kill yourself or what?
13:03Rubbish. Not a bit of it.
13:06It's just been a bit of a tense week, that's all.
13:09I could kick this stuff any time of night.
13:13I tell you what.
13:15Get this week over.
13:17We'll go to a health forum for ten days.
13:20No drugs.
13:24No drink.
13:28And shag ourselves silly. How about that?
13:31That would be lovely.
13:33If only you really meant it.
13:35I do. You'll see.
13:38Listen. Pen.
13:42It's a bit delicate, this.
13:46Remember when you had that bit of a thing with Pat Bolton?
13:50I'd hardly forget that, would I?
13:52What a character.
13:54You liked him, though, didn't you?
13:56What a maniac.
13:58He was all right, Pat. Really good fun.
14:01It seems he's still carrying a bit of a torch for you.
14:04Torch? Is that what he calls it now?
14:08He was wondering if you might have dinner with him.
14:11He's a bit shy about asking himself.
14:13Shy? Him?
14:15He once put his hand in my knickers when we sat at a table in Langan's.
14:19Yeah, well.
14:21I said I'd pass it on.
14:27Pimping now, is it?
14:35Jesus Christ, Roger!
14:37Don't you care about me at all? Don't you care what I do?
14:40Ah, Pen. Pen, of course I do.
14:43I didn't think you'd be upset. I thought you liked him.
14:46That's not the point.
14:48The point is I went with him because I wanted to,
14:50not because you'd promised someone a favour.
14:52Ah, listen, Pen, it's not like that at all.
14:54I wish I didn't have to ask you.
14:58I wish I could be everything to you, but I can't.
15:02You know, I'd never ask you to do a thing like this
15:05unless my arse was on the line.
15:08And it is.
15:10It truly is.
15:12I don't know what I'm going to do, and that's the truth.
15:17You do believe me, don't you?
15:19Yes, I do believe you.
15:21Yes, I do believe you.
15:23It's that stuff, isn't it?
15:26Partly.
15:32I mean, it's...
15:34It's not as though you hate the man, Pen.
15:36You liked him.
15:38And you know if it was me, I'd do anything in the world for you.
15:41Don't you?
15:43I love you, Pen, you know that.
15:45Will you just shut up, Rog?
15:47Why?
15:49What's the matter? I'm sorry. What have I said?
15:55Kevin Spence.
15:58Oh.
16:02Oh.
16:04Never mind. Here, have mine. I hate this stuff.
16:06Mattie Storrin, The Chronicle.
16:08Oh, yes, I...
16:10It's all right. You don't have to pretend you recognise my name.
16:13Well, I do, actually.
16:15Well, good. I just wanted to check a couple of facts with you.
16:18Are you sure you want me?
16:20I'm in research, not the press office.
16:22I did say facts, Kevin.
16:24Ah, yes.
16:26Is this...
16:28a genuine report from your department?
16:31Not a fake?
16:36Where did you get this?
16:38KJS. That's you, isn't it?
16:40Look, please.
16:42I can't possibly discuss this.
16:44If someone knew I'd leaked those figures,
16:46even confirmed they were genuine,
16:48please don't drag me into this.
16:50I promise you I won't.
16:52It's all right, Kevin.
16:54I don't give away my sources.
16:57It is a genuine report, isn't it?
17:02What's the circulation?
17:04Very limited, I take it.
17:07Just cabinet ministers and five senior people at Smith Square.
17:11The deputy chairman and four senior directors.
17:14Please don't ask me anything else.
17:16No, I won't.
17:18You've been very helpful.
17:20Stay in touch.
17:22I'd rather not.
17:44Thank you.
18:04Francis! Patrick!
18:06Good of you to spare the time.
18:08Bloody hell, when the chief whips
18:10says he wants an urgent word in private,
18:13ever since you phoned, I've been wondering
18:15what I've done wrong.
18:17I can't think of anything.
18:19Bloody depressing, that, looked at one way.
18:21Still, I suppose it's better than
18:23finding your picture in the news of the world, eh?
18:25I need to take your mind, Patrick,
18:27and this is going to have to be
18:29one of those meetings that never took place.
18:31All right.
18:33If this is what I think it is,
18:35it's come sooner than I thought.
18:37We're in trouble, Patrick.
18:39This is not a passing phase.
18:41This view says that the problem
18:43is the prime minister.
18:45His unpopularity is dragging the party down,
18:48and he refuses to see the danger.
18:50He's insisted on holding
18:52the Dorset by-election and conference week,
18:54and it looks as if this is a bad miscalculation.
18:57You understand,
18:59this is not necessarily
19:01my personal view.
19:03It's the view I've been asked to put to you.
19:05Who by, Francis?
19:07One or two senior colleagues.
19:09Just one or two?
19:11Three, in absolute confidence.
19:13Three very senior colleagues.
19:15All right.
19:17Go on.
19:19Do you think Henry still has
19:21what it takes to be prime minister?
19:23And if he were
19:25persuaded to retire,
19:27would you be interested
19:29in taking his place?
19:31Bloody hell, Francis,
19:33you don't mess about, do you?
19:35Plain speaking and plain dealing, Patrick,
19:37as you do.
19:39All right, let's analyse the situation.
19:41First of all, have we really got a problem?
19:43Yes, the polls are bloody terrifying,
19:45you're quite right to take soundings.
19:47Second, do we have to do something about it
19:49or will it just go away?
19:51That is, can we ride out this bad patch
19:53and then swing the country around?
19:55Well, that's very much up to the prime minister.
19:57My view is he does not have what it takes
19:59and the voters don't think he has.
20:01In my view, if he leads us into another general election,
20:03between you and me, that's probably
20:05the majority view on the back benches.
20:07But if we get rid of him as early as this,
20:09we'll look like a bunch of colonels in a banana republic.
20:11I don't want to go down in history
20:13as the idiot I'm in of Poulton-le-File.
20:15Well, yes, quite.
20:17But you are still interested in the leadership.
20:19In absolute confidence, of course I bloody am.
20:21I stood against Henry when Margaret left
20:23and I still think I was the best candidate.
20:25And if I stood again,
20:27I'd be looking for your support, Francis.
20:29But it's too early.
20:31Oh, we need a few months
20:33to get the public used to the idea of a change of leadership.
20:35Move too soon
20:37and we'll look like assassins.
20:39Leave it too late
20:41and the whole party will be in pieces.
20:43I'll say one thing, Francis.
20:45I'm damn glad it's you that's handling this.
20:47There's not many men I trust with a job like this.
20:49Thank you.
20:51Patrick, I appreciate that.
20:53I appreciate your frankness as well.
20:57I'll continue to take soundings
20:59and keep you fully informed.
21:01Good on you, Francis.
21:03As long as we keep that slimy little sod Samuels out at all events.
21:05Well, yes, quite.
21:07Absolutely.
21:09Good talking to you, Patrick.
21:11You won't miss the party later.
21:13Wild horses, Francis. Wild horses.
21:15I don't suppose you've got any wild women.
21:19You'd be surprised.
21:25The man's a lout, of course.
21:27A lout, a lecher, an anti-Semite,
21:29a racist and a bully.
21:31He is, however, more intelligent
21:33than he seems
21:35and he is, we mustn't forget,
21:37Her Majesty's Secretary of State
21:39for Foreign Affairs.
21:41We mustn't make the mistake
21:43of underestimating Patrick Wolpton.
21:49Do call my secretary any time
21:51if you want to follow any of this up.
21:53Thank you, my lord.
21:55Good-bye for now, then.
21:59Miss Storrie. Mattie.
22:01Oh, hello.
22:03You've been neglecting me.
22:05You mean I haven't been bestering you?
22:07I feel slighted. Was Michael Samuels, uh,
22:09illuminating?
22:11Oddly enough, not really as illuminating as you.
22:13I'm astounded to hear it.
22:15No, I don't think you are.
22:17So, how are things going?
22:19Are we having a good conference?
22:21Apart from your neglect of me,
22:23that's not my information.
22:25My information is you're in deep trouble.
22:27Really?
22:29Not you personally, of course.
22:31That's a relief.
22:33I was wondering if you and I could have a chat.
22:35Where are you, Mattie?
22:39I've been getting the impression
22:41that this whole conference is in code,
22:43that it's all about something else entirely.
22:45I don't feel as if I've had a real conversation
22:47with a real person since I've been here.
22:49And you think I'll decode the conference for you?
22:51Rather a tall order, Mattie.
22:53I'd settle for just a chat.
22:55At least you're a real person.
22:57You are a real person, aren't you?
22:59Oh, yes.
23:01I'm a real person.
23:03So?
23:05I'd like very much to spend some time
23:07with you, Mattie,
23:09as I think you know.
23:11But this evening, unfortunately,
23:13I'm otherwise engaged. I'm having a little drinks thing.
23:15Some of my guests are rather shy of journalists.
23:17They don't like people to see
23:19what they're like when they're relaxing.
23:21Really? And who would that be?
23:23Mattie, you can't expect me to tell you that.
23:25Well, who's coming then?
23:27Tell me just one guest.
23:29Your proprietor, for one, Mattie.
23:31Benjamin Landless?
23:33Is he in Brighton?
23:35Oh, we get all the riff-raff here.
23:37You'd be surprised.
23:41Don't you think you'd better get that?
23:43Oh, right.
23:45Well,
23:47see you later in the week, perhaps?
23:49I hope so, Mattie.
24:01Hello, Mattie Storran here.
24:05John, sorry, it's a bit of a scrum here.
24:07You got the story all right?
24:09Yes, we got it.
24:11And is that a brilliant story or not?
24:13Yes, it's a brilliant story.
24:15And we're not running it.
24:17What?
24:19Let me speak to Preston.
24:21He's in a meeting, Mattie. He knows all about it.
24:23He won't run the story because he still thinks you've been set up.
24:25I've checked that survey. It's genuine.
24:27Can he speak to your source?
24:29Can I speak to your source?
24:31Don't be stupid, John. Of course you can't.
24:33Let me speak to Preston.
24:35He's in a meeting, Mattie. And look, it wouldn't do any good.
24:37We've backed the government all the way.
24:39And we have to stick with them now.
24:41It's not just you that's being left out.
24:43It's all been fixed.
24:45He's there with you, isn't he?
24:47Ask him who got at him.
24:49Ask him who doctored him.
24:51It was Benjamin Landless, wasn't it?
24:53Wasn't it?
24:55Hold on a moment, Mattie. I have a call on the other line.
24:57Hold on for what?
24:59There's nothing to talk about, is there?
25:07God, that's all I need.
25:09Oh, I'm so sorry.
25:11Perhaps I'm not only going to make it worse.
25:13Um...
25:15Oh, Lord. In trouble again.
25:17It's all right. Most of it missed.
25:19Are you sure? It was only vodka.
25:21Very pure. My mother-in-law peened silver with vodka, you know.
25:25May I, um...
25:27buy you a drink, Miss...?
25:29Mattie. Mattie Storrin.
25:31No, let my editor buy you one, Mr Collingridge.
25:33Two large vodkas and tonics, please. Ice and lemon.
25:35You know who I am, then?
25:37Maisie. Maisie.
25:39I'm Miss Landless, Mr Collingridge.
25:41Oh, call me Charlie. Everyone else does.
25:43So, what are you doing in this den of thieves?
25:45Oh, not all thieves.
25:47Still a few good blokes about.
25:49Like your brother?
25:51Exactly. Salt of the earth.
25:53That's nice. I'd heard he rather sort of disowned you.
25:55No, no. He lets people think that.
25:57Best brother in the world, Hal.
25:59Looks after me, you know what I mean?
26:01Likes to do good by stealth.
26:03Tough said.
26:05End of story.
26:07Cheers. To very good health.
26:09Cheers.
26:13Lord, you are a pretty girl.
26:15Oh, no offence.
26:17I've got a daughter your age, you know.
26:19Lovely girl. Lovely face.
26:21Never, never see her.
26:23Her own fault.
26:25Water under the thingy.
26:29Do miss her, though.
26:31No, no, no. Absolutely not.
26:33Get the hell out of here.
26:35Can I make myself clear?
26:37Lord, I can't stand that man.
26:39Don't come back till tomorrow morning.
26:41Large whiskey.
26:43And be quick about it, my friend.
26:45I've got to go to this goddamn champagne reception.
26:47I need something to line my gut with.
26:49Charlie, how are you?
26:51Evening, Ben.
26:53One for him too, I suppose.
26:55And you, young lady.
26:57What are you staring at?
26:59Is my zipper undone or what?
27:01Am I supposed to know you or something?
27:03We haven't met, but I am one of your employees, Mr Landless.
27:05I might have guessed.
27:07Half the hacks in Brighton are getting wrecked at my expense tonight.
27:09And, as a matter of fact,
27:11you've just been influential in getting one of my stories spiked.
27:13Is that so?
27:15What was it? That one of a nit your man a willy warmer
27:17for Christmas? Is that it?
27:19No, it was that one about the Tories
27:21going 30 points behind.
27:23Ah.
27:25You're, uh, Minnie...
27:27What's her name?
27:29Mattie Storrin.
27:31Damn good story.
27:33Wrong damn paper.
27:35What do you think we are, the new statesman?
27:37Cheers!
27:41Thanks, young man.
27:43Keep the change. Have one yourself.
27:47It's chaps like that that drive chaps to drink.
27:51Um, could you cope
27:53with another little one, my dear?
27:55Yes. Why not?
27:57Evening, my dear.
27:59Jolly good news.
28:01Well, thank you.
28:03Not here yet.
28:05Oh, look, the bugger. Straight between the eyes.
28:07I said any more of that, my boy, and you're for Northern Ireland.
28:09Dare say they're cold, Miss Bluff.
28:11Wasn't seen on his feet again till 1987.
28:13He's not here yet.
28:17Do you know why Peter McKenzie stays so slim?
28:19His wife's the genius for the Wok.
28:21Is that so?
28:23I used to think the Wok sold everything, but now I know otherwise.
28:25My dear, you really must allow me
28:27to give you my recipe for brill.
28:29Brill is a fish.
28:31Yes, I did.
28:33Mr. O'Neill, and how are you?
28:35Never better, Mrs. Urquhart.
28:37Good.
28:41You've put the boys down for Wellington.
28:43Should be all right, what do you think?
28:45I don't know. A bit dear, isn't it?
28:47Is it worth it?
28:49Miss Guy, Elizabeth Urquhart.
28:51Really?
28:53Are you giving speeches?
28:55If they chucked me out, it'd be like a lobotomy, Val.
28:57That's entirely confidential, you understand.
29:09Excuse me.
29:11Hay fever.
29:13Ben! Good to see you.
29:15Never mind that.
29:17What the hell are you boys playing at?
29:19No, I don't want any of these stupid little things.
29:21Go away.
29:23Listen, I put the whole damn chain of papers
29:25behind you a lot, and you still manage
29:27to cock it up. Ben, Ben, we can't talk here.
29:29Walls have ears and all that.
29:31To hell with that. I didn't come 200 miles
29:33for canopies.
29:35Where's the bathroom? Oh, it's over there.
29:37Great, let's go.
29:39Excuse me.
29:43I've seen that latest poll of yours.
29:47A girl of mine got hold of it.
29:49It's just a poll, Ben.
29:51Bullshit, my friend. It's disastrous.
29:55But don't worry.
29:57I told Gravel Preston to pull it.
29:59Ah, thank you, Ben.
30:01I don't leak, of course,
30:03but not till after the Dorset by-election.
30:05The Prime Minister will be very grateful.
30:07That limp dick.
30:09Where does it leave me?
30:13I want to buy transglobal newspapers.
30:15I want to buy two
30:17ITV regions.
30:19Under Maggie, I knew the score.
30:21Everyone facing the same way.
30:23Everyone defending freedom's
30:25frontiers. Everything was up for grabs.
30:27No lame ducks and no sore losers, right?
30:29Now,
30:31my lawyers are talking
30:33monopolies and mergers commission.
30:35And this government won't back me up
30:37after all I've done for them because
30:39they haven't got the guts.
30:41Hell, Francis.
30:43What sort of country
30:45is it when a man can't spend his money
30:47how he likes? Very true, very true
30:49and very well put, if I may say so, Ben.
30:51Screw well put. What are we going to do
30:53about it?
30:57Dump
30:59Collingridge.
31:01Holy shit!
31:05You really mean that, don't you?
31:07This crisis of confidence isn't about
31:09policy. It's about leadership.
31:11I'm very fond
31:13of Henry Collingridge, and I
31:15respect him in many ways.
31:17But this country needs
31:19a strong right-wing leader
31:21with the courage to defend freedom.
31:23And increase it.
31:25Exactly. That's the way the whole of Europe's
31:27going. This used to be
31:29a country fit for heroes, Ben.
31:31Explorers, soldiers,
31:33merchant adventurers.
31:35We want a leader who's
31:37prepared to let his dogs off
31:39the leash. Give us a little room
31:41to run, huh? Quite.
31:43We want a leader who's prepared to put himself
31:45about a bit. Give him
31:47some stick. I like the things you
31:49say, Francis.
31:51So,
31:53who did you have in mind?
31:55Patrick Boulton will give us
31:57what we want, I think.
31:59You don't want it for yourself?
32:01What, me?
32:03I'm just the chief
32:05whip, Ben. I just keep the troops
32:07in order. Chief whips haven't made it
32:09to the top before. Well,
32:11if it ever did
32:13come to that, I'd
32:15make sure they didn't tie you up
32:17in red tape, Ben. No, you would,
32:19Francis. No, you would.
32:21Okay!
32:23So, let's do it
32:25to Collingridge. Run that
32:27poll story for a start, huh?
32:29I've got work to do. First edition closes
32:31in 40 minutes. Better make a phone call.
32:33Nice party, Francis.
32:40Ahem!
32:46Oh, that's
32:48enough about me. How about
32:50you?
32:52Would you be into quickies at all, Amanda?
32:54Would I be into what?
32:57Oh, great.
32:59Hang on, hang on.
33:01Yes.
33:08So,
33:10the party's over.
33:12It's a quiet night.
33:14Our fortunes prosper
33:16well.
33:18The foreign secretary
33:20finds succor from the harsh affairs
33:22of state in the
33:24soft fragrance of a
33:26daughter of the game.
33:28One for the
33:30archives,
33:32if he did but know it.
33:34And all the while,
33:36landless his armies are labouring
33:38for me through the darkness
33:40towards dawn.
33:42Telling the story,
33:44a leader out of touch,
33:46a man of straw,
33:48clutching at straws,
33:50his future
33:52closing in front of him like a
33:54fist.
33:56Who would be a
33:58leader in this
34:00wicked world?
34:02Sorry about this, Prime Minister.
34:04We thought you'd better see it as soon as possible.
34:06Oh, Graham, not at breakfast, surely.
34:08Hal was up till
34:10four working on his speech. So were we,
34:12Mrs Collingridge. I'm
34:14awfully sorry, but it is very serious.
34:16If you read the paragraph I've
34:18marked, Prime Minister,
34:20it's not just a leak.
34:22It's a personal attack.
34:24A leading minister commented,
34:26our basically excellent position is being
34:28undermined by the leader's lack of
34:30appeal. Another
34:32senior party figure suggested that
34:34Henry Collingridge would shortly be invited to
34:36stand down for the good
34:38of the party. Who's
34:40doing this? Who is
34:42it? Are they trying to destroy
34:44us all?
34:47I want to know who this is, Graham.
34:49I have to know.
34:51Shall I give Lord
34:53Billsborough a call, sir? Yes.
34:55No.
34:57No, not
34:59Billsborough.
35:01Get Francis Urquhart over.
35:03Have him in my suite in half an hour.
35:05Yes, Prime Minister.
35:07In view of this
35:09report, and bearing in mind the Dorset
35:11by-election today, I expect you'll want
35:13to adjust your speech to conference
35:15this afternoon? No.
35:17Prime Minister, I really feel
35:19we should take this... It was a good speech at
35:21four o'clock this morning, and it's still a good speech.
35:23...
35:25...
35:27...
35:29...
35:31...
35:33...
35:35...
35:37...
35:40...
35:42...
35:44...
35:46...
35:48...
35:50Urquhart.
35:52Patrick, what
35:54can I do for you? You left your case
35:56behind when you came to see me yesterday and took one
35:58of mine. At least I hope you did. Could you check?
36:00Hold on, Patrick.
36:10...
36:12...
36:14My dear
36:16chap, I'm frightfully sorry.
36:18You're quite right. Shall I bring it round?
36:20No, I'm on my way. Two minutes.
36:22Bye.
36:24John, what the hell's it all about? First
36:26you pull my story, then you print it, without
36:28my name on it, and a let's get Collingridge
36:30slant. What's going on? If I
36:32tell you what I know, do you promise not to bite
36:34my head off? All right.
36:36I'm sorry about last night, but I was just so
36:38bloody angry. I know it's not
36:40your fault. Come on, what happened?
36:42Well, I don't know exactly.
36:44Old Greg
36:46was on the phone for about half an hour.
36:48Then he came out very pleased
36:50with himself. High drama.
36:52Kill the front page.
36:54Greg says he's been checking out your story with some of
36:56his contacts, and it stands up after all.
36:58So who wrote it? He did.
37:00Ben Landless
37:02was here last night. Urquhart
37:04had a party. Landless was a guest.
37:06Who else was there? All the big boys.
37:08Wilkins, Samuels, Billsborough.
37:10So it's true. It's really
37:12happening, John.
37:14They're getting ready to junk Collingridge.
37:18So stupid of me, Patrick.
37:20No harm done.
37:22Ah,
37:24good party, Francis.
37:26Glad you enjoyed it. Seen the papers
37:28this morning? Yes.
37:30Bad business. Bad for some.
37:32Not so bad for others. Keep in
37:34touch, Patrick. Right.
37:44Yes,
37:46of course. Francis,
37:48the Prime Minister
37:50would like to see you.
38:00Prime Minister?
38:02Who is it, Francis? Who's betraying me?
38:14Who?
38:16It's Teddy Billsborough.
38:24You sure?
38:26No one else it could be.
38:28I'm
38:30terribly sorry.
38:32Thank you,
38:34Francis.
38:36You're a good man.
38:50If the
38:5280s had to be the decade of
38:54confrontation, the 90s
38:56will be seen, I think, as the decade
38:58of conciliation.
39:00The decade of
39:02cooperation. The decade
39:04of maturity.
39:06Stifling
39:08dissent is not going to help us find
39:10the right way.
39:12Surely,
39:14events in Eastern Europe have taught us that much, at least.
39:16The British
39:18open democratic
39:20process has been an inspiration
39:22to seekers after freedom
39:24in Poland and in Russia
39:26and in Hungary and in
39:28Czechoslovakia.
39:30And I, for one, am
39:32proud of that.
39:38It is only through
39:40frank and
39:42open exchange of views
39:44that good government is possible.
39:46Frank and
39:48open exchange of views
39:50in an atmosphere of
39:52trust.
39:54Pale-faced and
39:56clearly agitated, in his keynote
39:58address to conference this afternoon,
40:00the Prime Minister gave
40:02what most observers agree
40:04was a lacklustre performance.
40:14Good morning to you,
40:16Miss Stoyne.
40:18And to you.
40:20Is it a good morning?
40:22Yes, naturally,
40:24the result is a little disappointing.
40:26But it's hardly cheering news for
40:28labour, either, is it?
40:32By-elections are a chance for folk to let off
40:34steam a bit, and a lot of funny
40:36things happen in Dorset.
40:38You're not worried, then? Oh, we should be taking it very
40:40seriously. It may be we're not
40:42getting our message across in the
40:44right way. Can I quote you
40:46on that? Yes, I think you may,
40:48Mr Warren.
40:52I'm very glad I bumped into you, Matthew.
40:54Because there's another piece of news that's going
40:56to break, and I know
40:58you'll handle it responsibly.
41:10No comment.
41:18No comment.
41:22In what was described by a senior
41:24government spokesman as a fit
41:26of pique and a fit of panic,
41:28the Prime Minister this afternoon
41:30sacked his party chairman, Lord Billsborough,
41:32the greatly loved and
41:34longest-serving member of his
41:36government. Pique
41:38and panic. Oh, yes,
41:40I'm sure it was.
41:42But I thought that girl of yours was supposed
41:44to be handling things with responsibility.
41:46She did, Elizabeth. I'm sure she did.
41:48I'm very much afraid someone must
41:50have been getting at her, editor.
41:52She's proving to be rather a treasure,
41:54isn't she? You could say that.
41:56And you'll trust
41:58her? Yes.
42:00Up to a point.
42:04If you wanted to be
42:06quite certain of her loyalty,
42:08perhaps one night
42:10when you're in town
42:12and I'm here in the country,
42:14well, I should quite understand,
42:16Francis.
42:18I leave that up to you entirely.
42:30Thank you, Elizabeth.
42:36Urquhart.
42:38Yes, of course,
42:40Prime Minister.
42:42Yes, yes, of course,
42:44at once.
42:46Well, well, well.
42:48I hope he isn't going to sack you, Francis.
42:50He better not bloody well try.
43:12The Observer ranked Pennington
43:14in the press office today about a story
43:16they say they're going to run tomorrow.
43:18What story? I still can't believe it.
43:20They say my brother, Charlie, has been buying shares
43:22in companies just before they benefit
43:24from government decisions and making a killing on them.
43:26I mean,
43:28you know Charlie, Francis. He has no wit
43:30to do a thing like that. Charlie?
43:32Of course he hasn't.
43:34And, well, he hasn't
43:36been.
43:38I mean,
43:40and, well, he has
43:42his weaknesses, Hal. I know you won't mind
43:44my saying that, but he'd never do anything
43:46criminal. Thank you, Francis.
43:48God, it's such a relief
43:50to talk to someone with a bit of...
43:52Francis, you do believe
43:54that I know nothing whatever about this?
43:56Absolutely, Hal, without the slightest
43:58reservation.
44:00You're a good man.
44:02Well, they say they've got documentary evidence,
44:04bank statements, broker's receipts.
44:06But nothing that connects it directly with you.
44:08Not as far as I know.
44:10But what else would they assume?
44:12If he's been getting inside information,
44:14who else would give it to him?
44:16God, Francis, what am I going to do?
44:18You know you're innocent. Go on the offensive.
44:20Tell them you'll sue, and go ahead and do it if they print.
44:22Set your solicitor onto it today.
44:24Where's your brother now?
44:26In his flat as far as I know. Tell him to take the phone
44:28off the hook and not answer the door.
44:30We'll have to do better than that.
44:32When the observer hits the streets, he'll be under siege.
44:34Listen,
44:36there's a place we use in Kent
44:38for the dipsos and druggies on the back benches.
44:40Sort of safe house
44:42come clinic, come asylum.
44:44I'm sorry, but...
44:46I know.
44:48I'll get Tim Stamper to fix it.
44:50Can someone who knows him be there too?
44:52Not you, of course.
44:54I'd rather it wasn't her.
44:56Francis, we're all he has now.
44:58Right.
45:00She'd better get going straight away.
45:02Don't worry about this place, Hal.
45:04Absolutely discreet.
45:06Dr. Christian's a very sound man.
45:08It may be a blessing
45:10in disguise for Charlie.
45:12Francis, you're a tyre of strength.
45:14I don't know how to thank you.
45:16Don't embarrass me, Hal.
45:18I'm just doing my job.
45:20Go on, Charlie.
45:24I don't know what to do.
45:34Get away!
45:36Get out!
45:38Get out, Charlie!
45:40Get out!
45:44Where are they taking Charlie?
45:46Charlie!
45:48Charlie!
46:08How bad is it, Francis?
46:10I've seen worse.
46:12No one's ever been this low in the polls
46:14and come back to win an election.
46:16Oh, Francis.
46:18However this comes out,
46:20I'll make sure the world knows
46:22what a hell of a man you are to have in your corner.
46:24Right, what are we up against?
46:26The Observer's pretty bad, but they've stopped short of implicating you.
46:28Very sensible of them.
46:30It'll blow over, Hal.
46:32These things always do.
46:34What else?
46:36There's a run on the pound.
46:38Doesn't mean a thing.
46:40It may bother the teenagers and the city
46:42with the Porsches and the Filofaxes,
46:44that cretinous dwarf Bairsted
46:46says he's going to force a leadership contest.
46:48Do you want me to lean on him
46:50and frighten the wits out of the little sod
46:52with the greatest pleasure of your life?
46:54Well, he's publicly declared now.
46:56Get him to publicly retract.
46:58Humiliate the little bastard.
47:00But no.
47:02I think you're right, Prime Minister.
47:04Let him come on to the punch.
47:06Knock him down and trample him.
47:08And, uh,
47:10do the television interview on Wednesday?
47:12I'd say so, yes.
47:14Insist they leave this
47:16mendox shares nonsense to the last five minutes.
47:18By then, everyone will be rooting for you.
47:20It'll seem like a tasteless bit of irrelevance,
47:22which is what it is.
47:24Yes, dammit, thank you, Francis.
47:26We're not finished yet.
47:30Right, standby studio, please.
47:32Counting from BT in ten seconds.
47:34Very quiet.
47:36Very quiet, please, now.
47:38Five, four...
47:40All right.
47:42Three...
47:44Prime Minister,
47:46for the last few minutes of this interview,
47:48could we turn to the allegations printed in this week's Observer
47:50about possible improper share-dealing
47:52by your brother, Mr Charles Collingridge?
47:54With pleasure.
47:56Earlier this week, you issued a statement denying any connection of your family
47:58with the matter, and suggesting
48:00that there might have been a case of mistaken identity.
48:02That's correct.
48:04Quite obviously, it's not for me
48:06to explain the Observer's extraordinary mistake.
48:08All I can tell you is
48:10that none of my family has anything to do with the matter.
48:12You have my word of honour on that.
48:14I might also add
48:16that the family solicitors
48:18have initiated proceedings against the Observer
48:20and will do so
48:22against anyone who repeats
48:24these false and malicious statements.
48:26Thank you, Prime Minister.
48:28We'll certainly bear that in mind.
48:30I think that would be very wise of you.
48:32Now, you and your brother
48:34deny that either of you
48:36opened an accommodation address
48:38at a Paddington newsagent's.
48:40That's correct.
48:42But on Monday of this week, Jane Hartston of our staff
48:44visited the address and was able to photograph
48:46a number of envelopes addressed to your brother.
48:48Now, look here.
48:50The first one is clearly marked
48:52the Ottoman Union Bank, the bank that bought and sold the Mendoc shares.
48:54The second is addressed to your brother
48:56from the Conservative Party Sales and Literature Office
48:58in Smith Square.
49:02I really cannot see any relevance in this at all.
49:04Quite clearly,
49:06this is a case of mistaken identity.
49:08And I do have to warn you...
49:10Prime Minister, like you,
49:12we thought that Charles Collingridge
49:14might well be a common name.
49:16That there might be some other Charles Collingridge
49:18who was able to take improper advantage
49:20of secret government decisions.
49:22But oddly enough, there is only one Charles Collingridge
49:24listed in the London telephone directory.
49:26Your brother.
49:28Prime Minister,
49:30we've almost come to the end of the programme.
49:32Is there anything else that you would like to say?
49:44Well,
49:46with the Prime Minister declining to comment any further
49:48on his alleged involvement
49:50in the Mendoc share scandal...
49:52That's all from us at Worldwatch tonight.
49:54Good night.
49:58Good night.
50:02Well cut.
50:04I had a feeling it might be you.
50:06I'm sorry to disturb you at home,
50:08but I'd be very grateful if you'd give me
50:10a few minutes before we go to press.
50:12Not on the telephone.
50:14You can come here if you like.
50:16I'd prefer it if you didn't tell your colleagues
50:18where you're going.
50:20I'll see you in ten minutes.
50:22He can't survive this, can he?
50:24I shall be spending the next few days
50:26rallying all the support for the Prime Minister
50:28that I can get.
50:30Off the record, Mattie, it's not going to be easy.
50:32Do you think he tipped his brother off
50:34about those shares?
50:36I find it impossible to believe
50:38that Henry Collingridge could do a thing like that.
50:40I've always considered him a totally honourable man.
50:42But?
50:44But, Mattie?
50:46Not quite up to his job.
50:48Mattie,
50:50Mattie,
50:52you might very well think that.
50:54You know I couldn't possibly comment.
50:58I really like talking to you.
51:00Of course you do.
51:02You love trying to tempt me into indiscretion.
51:04I know, but it's more than that.
51:06With Samuel's on air, I get the party line.
51:08You talk to me like another intelligent human being.
51:10I like talking to you.
51:12I'm interested in you.
51:16You find that strange?
51:18I find it very flattering.
51:20Because I happen to think
51:22you're by far the ablest man in this government.
51:24Oh, no, no, no. You're too kind, Mattie.
51:26I think you underestimate yourself,
51:28and that's a shame.
51:30Underestimate myself?
51:32In what way?
51:34You underestimate your ability and your capacity for power,
51:36I think.
51:38And I think you underestimate
51:40your personal attractiveness.
51:42Now, that is absurd, Mattie.
51:44You can't expect me to fall for that.
51:46I'm old enough to be your father.
51:48Perhaps that's something to do with it.
52:06Oddly enough, I always wanted a daughter.
52:10My wife and I have no children.
52:12My wife and I have no children.
52:20What a very unusual interview this has turned out to be.
52:24Perhaps we should...
52:26No, I must just say this.
52:28You mustn't underestimate your abilities.
52:32Really?
52:36You know you could go much further than you have done, don't you?
52:42You think so?
52:46If you put your mind to it,
52:48I think you could achieve anything you wanted.
52:52You might think that, Mattie.
52:56I'm afraid I couldn't possibly comment.