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Urquhart was glad to have his suspicions confirmed. On Judgement Day it might help to justify a lot of his recent actions.
'So what can I do, Francis, to make sure this election is run properly?'
Urquhart smiled to himself. A 'proper' election was now defined as one in which Michael Samuel felt the full force of the Prime Minister's revenge.
'My interests, like yours, are simply to ensure fair play. I know that neither you nor I wish to interfere in any way -let party democracy have its way, of course. My only concern is that the process is likely to go ahead in such a rush that there will be no proper time for mature reflection or consideration. In the past, leadership elections have taken place only a week to ten days after they were announced - Ted Heath was elected just five days after
Alec Douglas-Home resigned - but on those occasions the resignations were expected. People had time to think, to make a proper and balanced judgement. That won't be the case this time. I'm afraid it will all be over in a breathless rush, and become just another part of the media circus' 'So?'
'So give them just a little longer to make their choice. Slow the pace down. Enjoy your last few weeks in office, and hand over to a successor who has been chosen by the Party, not the media'
'What you say makes sense. I've no wish to extend the period of uncertainty while the campaign is fought, but I'm sure an extra week or so could do no great harm.'
He extended his hand towards Urquhart. 'Francis, I'm sorry to cut this short; Humphrey will be waiting outside. I shall have to consult him as Chairman of the Backbench Committee, but the final choice on timing is entirely in my hands. I'm going to think very carefully overnight about what you have said, and let you know in the morning what I decide.'
He led the Chief Whip towards the door. 'I'm so grateful, Francis. It's really comforting to have a source of advice with no axe to grind.'
Daily Telegraph. Wednesday 27th October. Page 1.
Samuel is favoured candidate -takes early lead in party soundings
Michael Samuel, the youthful Environment Secretary, was last night emerging as the early front runner to succeed Henry Collingridge as Party Leader and Prime Minister.
In a poll conducted during the last two days by the Telegraph amongst 212 of the 337 Government MPs eligible to vote, 24 per cent nominated him as their first choice in the forthcoming party leadership election, well ahead of other potential candidates.
While Samuel has yet to announce his candidature, he is expected to do so soon. Moreover, he is expected to get the backing of influential party figures such as Lord Williams, the Party Chairman, whose influence as the Party's elder statesman could be crucial.
No other name attracted more than 18 per cent. Five potential candidates obtained between 12 per cent and 18 per cent, including Patrick Woolton the Foreign Secretary, Arnold Dollis the Home Secretary, Harold Earle the Education Secretary, Peter McKenzie the Health Secretary, and Francis Urquhart the Chief Whip.
The inclusion of Urquhart's name in the list at 14 per cent caused something of a surprise last night at Westminster, as he is not even a full member of the Cabinet. As Chief Whip he has a strong base in the Parliamentary Party and could be a strong outside candidate. However, sources close to Urquhart last night emphasised he had made no decision to enter the contest, and he would clarify his position sometime today.'
'Mattie, I think I've got it!'
Krajewski was striding across the room as if he had discovered a blazing fire in his pocket. He was breathless with excitement. As he reached Mattie's desk in the Telegraph news room, he pulled a lOx 12 colour photograph out of the large manila envelope he was clutching, and threw it on her desk. The face of the driver stared at her, slightly blurred and distorted from the lines of the video screen, but nonetheless clearly recognisable.
'Freddie came up trumps. He took this along to his meeting of AA last night, and the group leader recognised it immediately. It's a Dr Robert Christian, who's a well known authority on the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. Runs a treatment centre in a large private house near the south coast in Kent. That's where our Charlie is bound to be' He was flushed with triumph.
'Johnnie, I could kiss you - but not in the office!'
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