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00:00Tell me it isn't true.
00:13Daddy!
00:16It had to be done.
00:22It's in the past.
00:24It's over.
00:26You understand that?
00:32Yes?
00:38I think everyone's here now, Francis.
00:41I've put Mrs. Harding in the garden room.
00:43Is that all right?
00:44Yes, anywhere that's convenient.
00:46I shall want to take her mind in private later.
00:49I rather thought you might.
00:51Shall we go down?
00:52Hmm.
00:53Who is she, Stamper?
01:02What's she doing here?
01:10Her name is Sarah Harding, Gropen.
01:13I imagine she's just here to help, as we all are.
01:16Bringing her brains to the aid of the party.
01:19Do you think she's got anything on under that dress?
01:21Oh, for God's sake, Gropen, I have no idea.
01:24I thought you were here to talk about education, not underwear.
01:28Introduce me.
01:29She's here to work.
01:30Who for?
01:31Oh, you, I suppose, you lucky sod.
01:33Our leader, actually.
01:34Oh.
01:35I'll certainly let him know you're interested.
01:36Oh, Lord.
01:37Mrs. Harding.
01:38Hmm?
01:39I didn't expect to see you here.
01:40It's quite a heavyweight gathering, isn't it?
01:41Half the cabinet and their wives.
01:42Hmm.
01:43I mean, look at them all.
01:44It's press barons, spin doctors, economists, professors.
01:48I got dragged out of a dinner party at ten minutes' notice.
01:58What's it all about?
02:01No doubt he'll tell you if he thinks you need to know.
02:03You don't know either, do you?
02:12I've got everyone you asked for, have you?
02:15Good. All our people.
02:17What's it about?
02:19All in good time, Tim.
02:21Thank you all for coming here this evening.
02:24Some of you were at very short notice.
02:26You will all, by now, have read or seen His Majesty's speech to the Charities Commission,
02:32which was widely, and I believe correctly interpreted, as a direct criticism of this government and its policies.
02:40I need hardly tell you how deeply this has wounded me personally,
02:44to such an extent that I thought very seriously about tendering my resignation.
02:51But I decided that to do so would be wrong.
02:56We are His Majesty's government, but we are more than that.
03:01We are the elected government of the British people, and our deepest responsibility is to them.
03:09I now believe that my only honourable course in the face of this opposition is to call a general election.
03:18Go again to the people and say,
03:20Here we stand, this is what we have done, and this is where we are going.
03:26Will you continue to give us your trust?
03:30Thank you. I feel greatly encouraged.
03:34I will be taking soundings throughout this evening, beginning with the Inner Cabinet.
03:40And I would like to emphasise that everything you've heard and everything you hear at Chequers this weekend
03:48is to be regarded as absolutely confidential.
03:53Thank you all very much.
03:57It will leak of course, it's probably leaking already.
03:59Half the people in this room are on a retainer from one ghastly rag or another.
04:04That fool Gropen, for instance, is the only reason he was asked.
04:08These days a nice controlled leak is absolutely the best way to announce anything.
04:13Did you enjoy my little speech? I thought my deep personality was a bit of a joke.
04:17A controlled leak is absolutely the best way to announce anything.
04:20Did you enjoy my little speech? I thought my deep personal wound was a rather good touch.
04:25I am in fact extremely angry with His Majesty and I intend to do him harm.
04:29I feel exhilarated.
04:32Prospect of a fight of course, with the odds unfairly weighted in my favour.
04:39Next to a small war, there's nothing quite like a general election to stiffen the sinews and summon up the blood.
04:50Stamper wants to know the batting order.
04:52I'm sure he does. All right, he can be first. He'll only sulk if he isn't.
04:57Stamper, Stoker, Hetherington, Chalcott. No one else to pat up at present.
05:05May I make a suggestion, Francis?
05:08Hmm, of course. It's about Stamper.
05:11Make him party chairman? Yes. He'll want more later.
05:14Don't you feel his thuggish skills are rather wasted in high offices of state?
05:19Putting a bit of stick about and frightening people, that's Stamper's forte.
05:22Hardly the point, Francis. He'll want more and he'll think he deserves more.
05:27He'll take what he's given. That's the beauty of Stamper. He's loyal and he knows his place.
05:32I think he aspires to yours one day, Francis. I think he sees himself as your successor.
05:37Yes, perhaps he does.
05:43Do you know it's strange? I can't imagine anyone taking my place.
05:47Nobody could. Party chairman?
05:54I was thinking Carling. Carling's a loose cannon. There's no comparison. You know that.
05:59You can deliver me a landslide. No one else can do that.
06:02Thank you, F.U. It's good to have one whose quality's appreciated.
06:08Of course, I shall be honoured and delighted to serve as party chairman.
06:12What is it, Tim? You know you're the right man.
06:16And I give you my word of honour it shan't go unrewarded.
06:20Do this right and you can have anything you want that's in my power to give you.
06:26Tell me what you want, Tim.
06:30Whatever you think is right for me, F.U.
06:33And don't worry. I'll sort this one out for you.
06:38And we'll do it right. We'll kick the living shit out of them.
06:44Thank you, Tim.
06:46There have been widespread rumours of a growing rift between Downing Street and the Palace
06:51following a speech by the King to the Charities Commission
06:54which appeared to be sharply critical of government policies.
06:58An opinion poll commissioned by the Times and to be published in tomorrow's edition
07:03indicates a broad range of support for the views expressed by His Majesty.
07:22Sir?
07:30Chloe, was it you who leaked my speech and Urquhart's censored version to the press?
07:35Yes, sir.
07:37After I expressed and told you that I couldn't authorise it?
07:41Yes.
07:43Yes.
07:49Well, I thought you should know that I won't be taking any disciplinary action.
07:54The country had a right to know how France's Urquhart was trying to muzzle me
07:58and in this particular instance I'm very grateful you saw fit to act independently
08:01but I wouldn't like you to make a habit of it.
08:03I don't intend to, sir.
08:05On the other hand, I wouldn't like you to be afraid to take the initiative when you,
08:09if you were to, should you sense very strongly that that was what was needed, as it were.
08:18I'm not sure exactly what you mean, sir.
08:27I've been thinking that we might follow up this speech with something a little more wide-ranging,
08:31perhaps on television. What do you think?
08:33I think you should.
08:35Mr Soundings, is David still here? Would you send him in?
08:39He went home early. A touch of flu.
08:47Right, right. Thank you, Clay.
08:57I feel completely irresponsible.
09:01I ought to go home, really, if only for some clean shirts.
09:04Well, wear mine.
09:06I keep remembering all these things I should be doing
09:09and I don't bloody well care.
09:12That suits you, you know.
09:15Look, we're going over again next week.
09:18Come.
09:19Where?
09:20Japan. You'll love it. I'm amazed you've never been.
09:23Look, five-day stopover.
09:27I can get you a cheapie ticket, upgrade you to first, champagne all the way.
09:32I'll show you Japan.
09:33Oh, I'd love to.
09:35But...
09:37I think I've had as much sudden life change as I can cope with for the moment.
09:42You're not upset?
09:43No, just a thought.
09:45There'll be plenty of other chances.
09:48Good.
09:52I couldn't at the moment, anyway, really.
09:54Too much going on at work.
09:56Really? I thought you were a civil servant.
09:59Well, only in a sense.
10:06I'm actually press secretary and chief of staff at Buckingham Palace.
10:13Bloody hell.
10:14Quite.
10:17Actually, I should be there now.
10:20Well...
10:23I'm very flattered, David.
10:29I love you.
10:53Boys! Boys! Come over here!
10:57Come over here!
11:06Do you want any business, mate?
11:08Sorry, what?
11:09No, it's your bill!
11:23Who is it?
11:27Sarah, I'm so sorry.
11:29I've kept you waiting so long, but I'm afraid it was unavoidable.
11:33Yes, I can understand that.
11:35But I'm not really very happy about my role in all this.
11:38In fact, I can't quite see why you got me down here at all.
11:41I don't see why you make such a big point about how urgent and vital it is
11:45that I abandon my plans for the whole evening
11:47when you've got me down here.
11:49How urgent and vital it is that I abandon my plans for the whole evening
11:52when you must have realised you wouldn't get around to me till nearly midnight.
11:56Sometimes I act on instinct, Sarah.
11:58My instinct was that I might need your particular talents immediately
12:02and that in any case I needed you to be available.
12:05What for?
12:06For your intelligence, your expertise and your political acumen, naturally.
12:10What else?
12:11I have been given the distinct impression this evening,
12:14not least by your wife,
12:16that my presence here has more to do with my body than my brains.
12:19Oh? Really?
12:21Yes, really. I mean, why all this bogus secrecy?
12:25Why, for example, do you have to see me in my bedroom?
12:28Why can't you see me wherever it is you see everyone else?
12:31Sometimes it's better if people get the wrong impression,
12:34see you not as a potential political rival but as something less threatening.
12:41And perhaps it appeals to your vanity, too.
12:44Yes, perhaps it does.
12:45And it may satisfy yours to know that I do find you a very attractive woman.
12:48I find your cast of mind unusually attractive, to be precise.
12:51But I take very seriously what you said to me about your marriage at our first interview.
12:56And more to the point, I have more important things in mind at the moment.
13:02Now, how damaging would you say this new pole in the Times is
13:07and what can we do to counter it?
13:10Ah, well, it is very encouraging for the King,
13:14but the questions were designed to elicit sympathetic answers.
13:18Has he a right to express an opinion?
13:20Is it time for a more caring Britain? And so on.
13:23Whereas if you phrased it,
13:25should the King be allowed to intervene or even interfere in party politics,
13:30you'd get a very different response.
13:32Suppose, we ask, should we get the country into economic shape
13:37before embarking on expensive public spending programmes?
13:41There, we'd get a good result.
13:43Anything to do with strong leadership.
13:45Does Britain need strong leadership?
13:47Is Francis Urquhart a strong leader?
13:49I mean, I could deliver you a poll that says Francis Urquhart
13:53is overwhelmingly the best man to lead us into the next century
13:56and that His Majesty should shut up and mind his own business.
14:00Nothing simpler.
14:02Good.
14:05Good.
14:07Very good.
14:09Set it up, will you? We'll get it in one of the broadsheets.
14:12Tim Stamper's going to late tackle a few selected editors,
14:15so we should have a choice.
14:17No announcement of the election yet.
14:19There will be rumours, of course.
14:21Get them jumping this way and that.
14:24The King is the unknown quantity.
14:26I don't know what the man wants.
14:28You'd think he'd be happy to wave from the balcony
14:31and keep his opinions to himself,
14:33after all the nonsense his family have got up to.
14:36God knows what he thinks he's doing.
14:38Perhaps he's just a man of principle.
14:41I'm afraid you may be right.
14:43But if he pursues the course he's embarked on,
14:46he'll destroy himself.
14:50Would you really bring down the monarchy if you could, if you had to?
14:55Bring down the monarchy?
14:57No.
14:59Every idea is abhorrent to me.
15:01But to force the abdication of a particular king,
15:05that has been done before.
15:07And if the country's good required it of me,
15:10I wouldn't shrink from it.
15:14I dare do all that may become a man,
15:17sir.
15:20How would you assess my chances of success
15:26If I found it necessary to take that course,
15:29do you think I'd get away with it?
15:32You're seriously asking me?
15:34I wouldn't be wasting your time or mine if I weren't serious, Sarah.
15:42I think you could get away with anything if you put your mind to it.
15:46Thank you, Sarah.
15:49Certainly not, you quite misunderstand.
15:52The brain is not a sexual organ.
15:54And this government is founded on family values.
15:57Besides, a prime minister simply doesn't have the time.
16:02All I said was, if he's so remarkably incisive and bold in his thinking,
16:07and I'm not trying to cast doubt on it,
16:09if he's so all that, then it would just be a bit more illuminating
16:13if you could remember one or two of the bold and incisive things
16:16that impressed you so much, that's all.
16:18What's the matter with you? Why are you being like this?
16:20I'm not being like anything.
16:22Since you don't seem to find anything worth talking about anymore
16:25except your new consultancy, I'm just trying to take an interest.
16:28I'm just trying to get on the wavelength, that's all.
16:33I'm sure it is all very interesting.
16:35Tell me all about it, give me all the inside dirt.
16:38I can't, you must see that.
16:40It's all very, very confidential.
16:42I'm your husband, remember?
16:44Yes, and this is a public restaurant, anybody could be listening.
16:47That's right, I thought I saw Stella Rimmington over there by the window.
16:50Oh, don't be so stupid.
16:52I don't like being called stupid.
16:54I'm sorry.
16:56Look, why don't we just talk about something else?
16:58You see, what I can't help finding a bit irritating
17:01is your assumption of this inviolable, insiderish stance.
17:05Actually, it's more than an assumption, it's actually a parade.
17:08I mean, I would be perfectly happy to know nothing whatsoever about your new job
17:11except that you find it impossible to focus on anything else
17:14but your thrilling new secrets
17:16that nobody else except you is allowed to know anything about, that's all.
17:19Andrew, that is so childish.
17:21Now, go on.
17:28Is she proving satisfactory?
17:30Yes, full of bright ideas.
17:33A little arrogant.
17:35Very insistent about the value she puts on her marriage.
17:38She would never do anything to endanger it, she tells me.
17:42Very right and proper.
17:44Rather rare these days.
17:46Refreshing, really.
17:47Yes.
17:49On the other hand, she's interested in learning everything I can teach her.
17:54Talking of marriage, good, bad and broken,
17:58had you thought of paying a visit to the House of Wounded Feelings?
18:02Had you thought of paying a visit to the House of Wounded Feelings?
18:05Might be rather useful.
18:07Yes.
18:09Of course, we hope to solve these little differences with the King,
18:13but good.
18:15Good, Elizabeth.
18:22Good morning.
18:24Good morning.
18:30The rival court.
18:32Sloan Castle, as the tabloids like to call it.
18:34And if the world should hear about my visit, where's the harm?
18:37Such a shame, I always feel, to take sides after a divorce.
18:44And how one's heart goes out to the child.
18:47Such an important child, too, in this particular case.
18:50It's hard to feel that somebody cares about him.
18:52And so does his mother.
18:57Your Royal Highness.
19:04So, how is F.U.?
19:06I think he's a bit disappointed in you, Your Royal Highness.
19:09Really? Really?
19:11I think that's most unfair. What's he got to be disappointed about?
19:14Matter of fact, I'm not a little disappointed myself.
19:18You know perfectly well, we've given you stronger and more consistent support
19:21than any other quality newspaper.
19:23I, personally, have given my all.
19:26I tell you, it's been hell keeping those bloody bishops at bay.
19:31And then to see that devious little squirt, Dickie Duckham,
19:34shaking his K above all over the garrick.
19:36Sir Richard wondered whether Mr Brinford Jones
19:39would care to join him for a glass of port.
19:42It's galling, Tim. It's very galling.
19:46Afternoon, Tim. Afternoon, Briar.
19:48Good afternoon, Sir Bruce.
19:50Hello, Bullaby.
19:52Another case in point. Vile man.
19:55Pitbull's bitten quite a few legs in the course, Briar.
19:59Hmm.
20:01So, you think you deserve a knighthood, too, do you?
20:04Yes, I damn well do.
20:06I've had it being handed out to people like Dickie Duckham and Bruce Bullaby.
20:10They've been rather let down.
20:13FU feels rather let down, Briar.
20:17FU would like to see a much stronger line on royal interference.
20:21FU tends to feel you should stop pissing about and get behind the government.
20:26Yes, well, you have to understand it's a very delicate business.
20:31One doesn't like to mount blatant attacks on the monarchy
20:34and the nation's principal organ of record.
20:37I'm not asking for blatant attacks, Briar.
20:40Just strong, unequivocal support for this administration.
20:43Nothing too delicate about that.
20:46If you'll forgive my being frank,
20:49I'll tell you what is a delicate business.
20:52Getting a knighthood for a convicted flasher.
20:55Now, that is a delicate business.
20:57How did you know about that?
20:59Now, look, look, that was...
21:01That was complete nonsense, a stupid mistake.
21:03It was 15 years ago, for God's sake.
21:06Nobody would remember it now.
21:08I don't want to contradict you there, Briar.
21:10I remember it vividly.
21:12Just the sort of thing that does stick in one's memory.
21:15Briar Brintford-Jones had to be dragged off the Inverness Sleeper
21:18for waving his willy at a woman on the platform.
21:21And innocent you may have been.
21:24I think you pleaded guilty at that time, am I right?
21:27Well, my lawyers told me to. It was my word against hers.
21:30I could have fought the case for a year and still lost,
21:33with every newspaper in the country giving me a melloring.
21:36Just got a couple of inches in the local rag.
21:39Just a couple of inches, eh?
21:41Well, well.
21:45The sterling evening advertiser, that's what I...
21:49Don't worry, Briar.
21:51I'm a notorious snapper-up of unconsidered trifles.
21:55But I'm very discreet.
21:57Least I can be.
21:59I'd hate to think what Dickie Duckham would do with it.
22:03Or the pit bull, indeed.
22:08Yes, well, um...
22:10I take your point entirely, Tim.
22:16I think I can promise you our full cooperation.
22:19Thank you, Briar.
22:21And I think we might be able to surmount our difficulties
22:24over the elusive Kay.
22:27Oh, you're very good, Tim.
22:30SIGHS
22:32Life does sometimes seem remarkably like
22:35crawling through a tunnel of excrement,
22:39don't you find?
22:41Yes.
22:43And trust it's all in a good cause.
22:48Then how could it be otherwise?
22:52Beef Wellington. Takes you back, doesn't it?
22:55I think I'll have it. Me too.
22:58Thanks for coming, all of you, at such short notice.
23:01His Majesty's asked me to stress a couple of things at the start.
23:05Firstly, that this is an informal but completely confidential conversation.
23:09And secondly, that despite appearances to the contrary,
23:13it shouldn't be in any way construed as a political gathering.
23:17Well, naturally. Perish the thought.
23:20Well, what I felt, you see, was that, um...
23:23that as individuals...
23:25I mean, yes, Mr Stroud's the leader of the opposition,
23:28Baroness Crask's a liberal peer,
23:30Mr Mackenzie and Mr Earl sit on the government-backed benches,
23:33but are, I gather, known for independent views.
23:35You see, if I may be frank with you,
23:37I am absolutely exhausted and dispirited
23:40by the narrowness, the pettiness,
23:43the sheer lack of humanity and decency
23:45in what passes for political debate in this country.
23:48And I was hoping that if we could
23:50metaphorically take off the various official hats we wear,
23:53we'd be able to explore areas of common ground
23:56in which we might sow the seeds of hope
23:59for some sort of renewed life.
24:02Do you see?
24:09Well, could I say, sir,
24:11that whilst I feel there is a great deal of common ground around this table
24:15and I'm most encouraged by your initiative,
24:18with the best will in the world,
24:20I don't see how any seeds of hope are going to flower
24:23as long as the present government remains in power
24:25and the present Prime Minister at number ten.
24:27Oh, come on!
24:28Well, I'm sorry, but I have to be honest.
24:30My policy has to be to oppose Urquhart and defeat him at the polls.
24:34Now, that said, I'm happy to talk about the meaning of life with anyone
24:38until the cows come home.
24:39That's exactly the sort of attitude I want us to get away from, man.
24:42Don't you see how much damage has been done already,
24:44how divided we are, how polarised?
24:46And surely exploring the meaning of life should be central in everything we do,
24:50shouldn't it?
24:51Not relegate it to a leisure activity,
24:52something we've done after the real business of the world is over.
24:55But, yes, of course, I invited you all to dinner.
24:58Now, do please order anything you like.
25:00Don't let me put you off.
25:02I find that after passing these wretched people in the streets,
25:06I have very little appetite this evening,
25:08so just a little soup and some bread for me, if you would, please.
25:12And some water.
25:15Thank you, Your Majesty.
25:18Yes, an excellent idea, sir.
25:20I think I'll do that too.
25:22Simple and good.
25:25Yes, I'll just have the soup as well, please.
25:30Ah, yes, the soup, please.
25:33And anything else, sir?
25:34No, no, just the soup.
25:38I'll have the soup.
25:41Just the soup.
25:43The soup.
25:45The soup.
25:47Soup.
25:48Soup.
25:49Fine.
25:57You know, I think I might have that drink after all.
26:00Bloody good idea.
26:07Don't worry, no-one we know.
26:10Come in.
26:12You all right, sir?
26:13Yes, of course.
26:15Corda.
26:16The usual thing, I take it.
26:18All the familiar hallmarks. They are bastards.
26:21Absolutely.
26:22But quite convenient timing for us.
26:28You have someone in mind?
26:30There's a group we've been watching, yes.
26:33And they're guilty?
26:35Well, they qualify.
26:37Put it this way, it's what they're in London for.
26:40Excellent, Corda.
26:43Let's give their mother something to cry about, shall we?
26:48Right.
26:50Fine.
26:55Yes?
26:56Francis?
26:58Sarah.
26:59Sorry, is this all right?
27:01Yes, of course.
27:02Are you all right? I was worried.
27:04Not a scratch, I'm fine.
27:06But thank you for your concern.
27:08Well, good night then.
27:11Come round.
27:13Now?
27:14What for?
27:15Because I want to see you.
27:16Why are you exceptionally busy?
27:20No.
27:21I'll send a car round.
27:27I've got to go out, Andrew.
27:29OK.
27:31Sorry, it's work, you know.
27:35Yes, fine.
27:38Thank you.
27:52Francis, I got here as soon as I could.
27:54Good of you, Tim, but there was no need.
27:56Everything's fine, as you see.
27:58You go on, I'm off to the hospital.
28:01Er, we need to talk, if you...
28:09Um, Winford Jones went belly up, no problem.
28:12He was hinting about a knighthood, but he'll be good in the short term.
28:16Oh, and Bruce Bullaby is very chuffed with the fat princess.
28:20No problem there either, apparently.
28:22Excellent.
28:23Thank you, Tim.
28:25Um...
28:27Everyone's heard the election rumour,
28:30but nobody knows when it's going to be,
28:32or even if, for certain.
28:34Fine.
28:35When I say nobody, I include myself.
28:40I have to know!
28:42I am the bloody party chairman, Francis!
28:45Trust me, Tim, it's better this way.
28:48One or two things to sort out first.
28:50What things?
28:51Trust me, as I trust you.
29:00We'll speak soon.
29:06Thank you, Mother.
29:08It's a terrible mistake to think that socialism's incompatible
29:11with an enjoyment of the good things of life, isn't it, John?
29:14Oh, absolutely.
29:15The good things in life belong to everyone.
29:17That's my view.
29:18Our lot never had any doctrinal problems of that sort.
29:21I'm glad to say.
29:23Excuse me, Clare.
29:24A full reservé, please.
29:26Thank you.
29:27Thank you.
29:28Thank you.
29:29Thank you.
29:30Thank you.
29:31Thank you.
29:32Thank you.
29:33Excuse me, Clare.
29:34Four relatively serious injuries, sir.
29:36All comfortable.
29:37They're extremely chuffed that you're going to visit, sir.
29:40They'll expect us in about 20 minutes.
29:42There'll be a lot of press there, of course.
29:45Well, perhaps I might come along as well.
29:49Oh, yes, of course, Mr Starr.
29:51Separate car from a different direction, stagger the timing.
29:53Yes, yes, yes, I understand all that.
29:55But if I could just say this.
29:56I think we've found a remarkable consensus here tonight
29:59on the kind of Britain we'd all like to see.
30:01But from here on in, it's hard politics.
30:05If you want to make an omelette,
30:06you're going to have to break an egg or two.
30:08We've got to get real about these things.
30:10Oh, yes, I agree.
30:11And one thing we might get real about
30:14is the fact that your party doesn't look strong enough
30:16to win an election on its own.
30:17And the change in this country's game
30:19will depend on some kind of realignment or alliance
30:21which will either persuade Francis Urquhart of the folly of his ways
30:25or force his resignation as he forced the resignation of his predecessor.
30:28But something like that takes years, not months.
30:30And it certainly couldn't be achieved before the election.
30:32Whenever that is.
30:34Not unless you believe in miracles or dirty tricks
30:37which have been used against us often enough.
30:40But I assume no-one here would be prepared to use those.
30:43Even if they were something we could use.
30:45I cannot understand why you all take such a passive
30:49and, yes, I must say this, defeatist line.
30:52For God's sake, can't you see that if our will is strong enough,
30:56the means will present itself?
31:01♪
31:27Tell me it isn't true.
31:30Tell me.
31:31Mattie.
31:32Mattie.
31:34Trust me, don't you?
31:35Did you?
31:38Did you kill Roger O'Neill?
31:44Ireland is to do with honour, Sarah, not profit.
31:47I'll never give an inch there.
31:51You're a real dinosaur, aren't you?
31:53You don't really belong on the new right at all.
31:55I have an instinct for what the British people are prepared to stomach, Sarah.
32:00The forces that drive me come from centuries of history.
32:05This used to be a proud nation.
32:08It's becoming so again.
32:11I'm giving us back our pride, Sarah.
32:15Yes, of course it's a painful process,
32:18but it's worth it.
32:20And I fiddle the poles for you to help you make it happen.
32:23How do you reconcile that?
32:25I don't have to.
32:27I do whatever it takes.
32:34Thank you.
32:36Your car's waiting.
32:38Your car's waiting.
32:57Under the show.
32:59The struggle for power.
33:02Deep down below it all.
33:04Deeper than honour.
33:06Deeper than pride.
33:08Deeper than lust.
33:10And deeper than love.
33:13Is the getting of it all.
33:16The seizing and the holding on.
33:19The jaws locked.
33:21Biting into power.
33:24And hanging on.
33:27Biting and hanging on.
33:31I have to get some money.
33:32See you in the pit.
33:37Police!
33:51Yes, Cawdor.
33:56Good.
33:58Yes.
33:59All three of them.
34:02Excellent, Cawdor.
34:05Oh, come now, they were terrorists.
34:07I thought you liked strong leadership.
34:09Mr. John Stroud.
34:13Will the Prime Minister confirm or deny
34:17that the three citizens of the Irish Republic
34:20shot dead at the Thamesmead shopping centre
34:23were executed by members of the armed services
34:27on a shoot-to-kill policy
34:29personally authorised by the Prime Minister himself?
34:34Order!
34:37The Right Honourable Gentleman will hardly expect me
34:40to comment on a case which is not only sub judice
34:43but subject to the official secretariat.
34:47I am surprised that the Right Honourable Gentleman
34:49should be so naive.
34:52Order!
34:53No, order!
34:55Mr. John Staines.
34:57Would the Prime Minister agree with me
34:59that it's a matter for congratulation rather than censure
35:03if three IRA murderers are stopped in their tracks
35:06instead of being allowed to carry out
35:08their obscene, outrageous unhindering?
35:13And will the Prime Minister agree with me
35:15that it's high time we thought about
35:17the innocent victims of the bombers
35:19instead of whinging about the infringements
35:21of the rights of bloody murderers?
35:26I thank my Honourable Friend.
35:28I think in the circumstances all I can reply
35:32is that he may very well think that
35:34but of course I couldn't possibly comment.
35:47Beautiful morning.
35:49I understand Sir Bruce is going hunting
35:51with the fat princess today.
35:54Are we keeping an eye on that?
36:03Here, here, here!
36:10Help!
36:16Come on, Brucey!
36:18What's the matter?
36:20Thought you said you were a goer!
36:25Bloody dreadful little man.
36:27I know, I know. What can you do?
36:29Dosh is dosh, Quillers.
36:32Oh, my God.
36:34Go on, Brucey, bloody marvellous!
36:36Let us train with the birds!
36:38Oh, no, really, that's most unkind.
36:40Wow, that's really amazing.
36:52God, I'm absolutely shaggers.
36:55I'm wrecked, stonkered.
36:57Amazing day, though.
36:59Absolutely.
37:00Go on, Barnaby, get that down your neck.
37:03Thanks.
37:05Anyone see the hunt saboteurs?
37:07Don't think so, no.
37:09All a bit of a blur, really, for me.
37:11I did. Had a brief exchange with one of them.
37:14She called me a filthy blood junkie.
37:17Exact words, filthy blood junkie.
37:19Rather pithy, I thought.
37:21What was your reply, Quills?
37:23I was rather lost for words.
37:25Sort of hit her with my whip, I'm afraid.
37:28She'll wear a crash helmet next time.
37:31Well, I'm going to hit my bath.
37:34You can come and talk to me if you like, bully.
37:37Oh. Oh, right.
37:44I'll, um...
37:46I'll see you in a minute, then.
37:49She's game now, Charlie. I'll say that for her.
37:53You shut your disgusting mouth, Pink.
37:55The man's ghosting her memoirs for posterity in a 100,000 retainer.
37:59Really? I wonder if he'd be interested in mine.
38:02Nobody's been interested in yours, Pink, since prep school.
38:17Come on in.
38:20Come on.
38:22Don't be shy.
38:28Come on.
38:34You can do my back for me, if you like.
38:37Oh.
38:39Right.
38:42Right.
38:52Oh, come on, Brucie.
38:54Bit of elbow grease.
38:58Mmm.
39:02Oh, wow.
39:04That's amazing.
39:06You're magnificent.
39:08What?
39:10Little Brucie.
39:13You know, I used to think you were absolutely horrible.
39:16Total sleazebag.
39:18But you're all right, really, aren't you?
39:21Shall we have oats?
39:25Mmm.
39:38Are you going down to the country this evening?
39:40I thought I would, yes.
39:42You won't mind if I don't join you till tomorrow?
39:45Things to do.
39:47I thought there might be.
39:49Don't work too hard, Francis.
39:51PHONE RINGS
39:53Yes?
39:54Tim Stamper here. Tim.
39:56Look, could we meet? I'd like to discuss things with you.
39:58No, I'm sorry, Tim. I'm rather tied up this evening unless it's desperately urgent.
40:02Well... Good.
40:04You see, I do think it's sensible to have fairly clearly defined parameters.
40:08If Sarah's giving me good input on political initiatives and handling public opinion,
40:13well, that leaves you free for all that bullying and kicking the hell out of people
40:18that's so important at a time like this.
40:20That's not all I'm good for.
40:22Tim, of course not. It's simply a question of horses for courses.
40:26Look, I need to know how long we've got till polling day.
40:30Soon, Tim. Very soon.
40:32Just need one or two things to fall into place.
40:34You understand, don't you?
40:36Oh, absolutely. Hmm.
40:38Enough said.
40:39Good man.
40:45You owe me, Francis.
40:50And you've set your whore up over me.
41:03Spare us some change, sir.
41:05Oh, come on. Don't be like that.
41:08Ain't you got no heart?
41:10Just a bit of loose change, that's all.
41:12You must be loaded.
41:14Of course she's loaded. She's the one.
41:16Come on. Come on, girl.
41:18Come on.
41:21Hold still.
41:25Is that her?
41:27Sarah Harding. That's the one.
41:32Now, listen, girlie.
41:34Ask him about Mattie Storrin.
41:36Please let me go.
41:38You're not listening!
41:40Listen, girlie.
41:43Ask him about Mattie Storrin.
41:46Ask who?
41:48You know who.
41:51Let her go, Jim.
42:02No.
42:11Ken.
42:13Look, Ken, I'm not sure I can handle this.
42:16Don't worry. There are a nice crowd here.
42:19Gotta get out sometime.
42:22Stay there. I'll get them in.
42:33Stay.
42:34Well, bugger me!
42:36David Mycroft, isn't it?
42:38Dean, meet David.
42:40Well, I never knew.
42:42Don't panic, David.
42:44We've got friends here
42:46who'll do a party later on. Do you want to come?
42:49No. Second thought's not your thing.
42:52All right, Ken.
42:54See you then, David.
42:58Don't worry.
43:00Your secret's safe with me.
43:06I'm all right, really. I'm fine.
43:08It was very strange, though.
43:10You've had a shock.
43:12Yes, yes, I have.
43:14I don't frighten very easily.
43:16In fact, I didn't really panic then quite.
43:18It was just rather horrible.
43:20It was the moment when she threw my bag away.
43:22She didn't even take my money, and I just thought,
43:24That's it. They're going to kill me now.
43:26Steady.
43:27I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
43:29This isn't me. I'm not like this.
43:31You were very brave, Sarah, and you're safe now.
43:35Yes.
43:36Drink.
43:37Yes, thank you.
43:43Better now.
43:45Someone wanted to frighten you.
43:47Someone who wants to make you frightened of me.
43:51You're not frightened of me, are you, Sarah?
43:53No, not at all.
43:57They asked you about Mattie Storrin.
44:00They told me to ask you about Mattie Storrin.
44:04Who is she?
44:07I'm sure I've heard that name before or read it somewhere.
44:12She's dead, Sarah.
44:14Mattie Storrin's dead.
44:19Look, if it's difficult, of course.
44:21You don't have to tell me. Why should you?
44:26I want to tell you.
44:37Mattie was a brilliant young journalist.
44:40Brilliant, but unstable.
44:43I met her first several years ago when she came to interview me.
44:47She had great gifts.
44:49She wasn't in your class intellectually,
44:51but she was intuitive, sharp, very quick to learn.
44:54I liked her very much right from the start.
44:58She was having some difficulties in her career, the usual sort of thing.
45:02Mediocre, middle-aged men, jealous of a talented young woman,
45:06determined to block her progress.
45:08And I was able to help in small ways, nothing very much.
45:12She had the talent to make her own way, but she was grateful.
45:16And I was happy to be of help to her.
45:22Gradually, I found I was looking forward more and more to our meetings.
45:28There was an edge to them, an intensity...
45:35..that related to the instability
45:38that was later to become so painfully apparent.
45:46Her father had died when she was a child.
45:50I have no children.
45:53Daddy.
45:55I always yearned to be a father of daughters.
46:02I want to be a daddy.
46:06No doubt that was an element that played its part.
46:10Daddy.
46:12She told me that she had fallen in love with me.
46:18And I find I was totally incapable of resisting her.
46:23I had thought my feelings for her were entirely platonic.
46:28She showed me they were not.
46:31She showed me they were quite otherwise.
46:35She spoke to her...
46:38She spoke to a...
46:41..to a need in me I didn't even know was there.
46:45Can you understand that at all?
46:48Oh, yes.
46:51Do you know, it's strange.
46:53I've never told another living soul about this.
47:03What happened? How did she die?
47:08She killed herself.
47:12And I still feel guilty.
47:18I knew our affair was wrong,
47:20that it would damage her in the long run,
47:22and I determined I had to end it.
47:26I tried to break it to her as gently as I could,
47:28but she seemed to fall apart.
47:30She seemed to want to destroy herself.
47:32Or me. Or both of us.
47:34She jumped from the roof garden of the House of Commons.
47:40She'd followed me up there.
47:44She wanted me to see.
47:47She said,
47:48''Look at me.
47:50''Look what you made me do.''
47:54And she jumped.
47:56Daddy!
47:59Daddy!
48:01She jumped.
48:02Daddy!
48:05I couldn't get near her.
48:09I couldn't stop her, Sarah.
48:17I think you have to stop blaming yourself.
48:22I think you did everything you could.
48:26But how could I not feel guilt?
48:31What she did was the act of an hysteric.
48:35I'm sorry if that sounds brutal,
48:37but she wanted to damage you,
48:40and she did it in the only way she could think of.
48:44I feel very sorry for her.
48:47But that's the way it is, isn't it?
48:49Perhaps you're right.
48:51I wish I could think so.
48:55It won't be that way with me.
48:57What?
48:59It won't be that way with me.
49:02I'm not unstable or hysterical or self-destructive.
49:07We'll come together as equals.
49:10We'll enjoy each other,
49:12and we'll part good friends.
49:16That is what you want, isn't it?
49:19I hadn't allowed myself to think about it
49:22after what you said about your marriage.
49:24But this won't have anything to do with my marriage.
49:26You won't need to worry about that.
49:28I can handle my marriage.
49:29I'm sure you can handle yours.
49:34I am here to learn everything you have to teach me, after all.
49:40Don't worry, Frances.
49:43It'll be fine.
49:54Through here?
49:58Yes.
50:07Women are strange feeders.
50:11And now I have put myself into her hands,
50:15as you might think.
50:18But I believe she's safe.
50:21She is, after all, a happily married woman.
50:24And she has, after all, signed the Official Secrets Act.
50:28I think I'm ready for a bit of mischief now.
50:32I think it's time I put myself about a bit.