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'Francis, that's very kind of you. But no sympathy, please. I feel absolutely content with the situation. In any event, I have little time today for second thoughts. Humphrey Newlands is coming in twenty minutes so we can get the leadership election process under way, then I'm off to spend the rest of the day with my brother Charles. It's marvellous to have time for such things!' he exclaimed.
Urquhart was astonished to see he meant every word of it.
'Prime Minister, you don't appear to be in a mood for maudlin sentiments, so I shan't spend any time adding to them. But you must know how deeply saddened I am. As I listened to you yesterday I felt as if I... were falling out of the sky, quite literally. But enough- Let's look forward, not back. It seems to me that some of our colleagues have served you rather badly in recent months, not showing the support you deserved. Now while you have already said you will not support any particular candidate in the election, I suspect you have some clear views as to whom you do not wish to get his hands on the leadership. As things stand at the moment I have no intention of becoming a candidate myself, so I thought you might like me to keep you informed of what's going on and give you some feedback from the Parliamentary Party on the state of play. I know you are not going to interfere, but perhaps that won't stop you taking a close interest...'
They both knew that even a failed Party Leader in his last days still has enough influence to sway a crucial body of opinion within the Parliamentary Party. It is not only the favours he has accumulated from placemen over time, but also the not inconsiderable matter of his nominations for the Resignation Honours List, which every retiring Prime Minister is allowed to make. For many senior members of the Party, this would be their last chance to rise above the mob of ordinary parliamentarians and achieve the social status to which their wives had so long aspired.
'Francis, that's most understanding' Collingridge was clearly in a relaxed and very trusting mood.' You know, the Prime Minister is expected to be aware of everything that's going on but, as I have discovered to my cost, it's so easy to get isolated, to have events just slip past you without making any contact with them. I suspect dear old Sir Humphrey is past giving the best intelligence on the state of parliamentary opinion, so I would very much welcome your advice. As you so delicately put it, I shall certainly take a close interest in the matter of who is to succeed me. So tell me, how do things look?'
Tarry days yet, very difficult to tell. I trunk most of the press are right to suggest it's an open race. But I would expect things to develop quickly once they get going.'
'No front runners yet, then?'
'Well, one perhaps who seems to have something of a head start. Michael Samuel.' 'Michael! Why so?'
'Simply that it's going to be a short and furious race, with little room for developing solid arguments or issues. In those circumstances, the ones who use television well are going to have a strong advantage. And, of course, he's going to have the strong if subtle support of Teddy and party headquarters.'
Collingridge's face clouded. 'Yes. I see what you mean.' He drummed his fingers loudly on the arm of his chair, weighing his words carefully.
'Francis, I shall be absolutely scrupulous in not favouring any candidate in this race. My only concern is to let the Party have a fair and free leadership election so they can make their own choice. But you make it sound as if the election won't be as open as it perhaps should be, with party headquarters playing too influential a role'
He chose his words carefully, and uttered them slowly and softly. 'I would not welcome that. I don't think Teddy's bunch of merry men has distinguished itself recently. A poor election campaign, then all those infuriating bloody leaks. Now I'm told that the news of my visit to the Palace yesterday also leaked out of the backdoor at Smith Square.'
His tone hardened. 'I can't forgive that, Francis. The Cabinet swore on their oaths of office to keep it confidential, to let me offer my resignation with some dignity instead of being the clown in a damned media circus. I will not stand for it. I will not have party headquarters interfering in this election!'
He leaned towards Urquhart. 'I suspect you have no great love for Teddy Williams, particularly after he did such an effective demolition job on your reshuffle proposals - I'm sure you guessed that at the time'
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