NIGHT WATCHMAN by Rolf Richardson

Author:Rolf Richardson [Richardson, Rolf]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2017-11-05T06:00:00+00:00

35

MARCH 26th.

Damian decided that his cabinet should not meet in the Cabinet Room, which was too big and impersonal. The long table, with space for a couple of dozen chairs and more seating at the sides, was fine for a normal parliament with an extensive legislative programme, but not necessary for this temporary one with a limited remit.

He would not be having a string of ministers with impressive titles and large departments. Even Number Eleven next door was without a tenant, the previous Chancellor having been amongst the victims. There was no reason to replace him because the Treasury could easily keep things going for a few months; indeed it was whispered that matters would be vastly improved without a Chancellor around to meddle.

Damian had chosen instead a small anteroom, nice and cosy, with an oval table large enough to seat six - maybe eight at a pinch; more seating could be arranged at the sides, if that became necessary.

Shortly before 2 pm the TV cameras outside No.10 recorded the cabinet arrivals:

First was Adam Tichbold, tall and haughty, striding along briskly, as though in some parliamentary race. Damian had considered naming him Secretary of State for Speed, but had been persuaded this was too naff so had settled instead on ‘Minister without Portfolio’. Adam was being given a roving commission to apply an oilcan to the rusty ship of state. A kick up the backside, as he put it.

Next came Gerry Farthing, not built for speed and wearing the sort of scruffy coat favoured by TV detective Colombo. Gerry was to be Secretary of State for Electoral Reform.

Then there was Bessie Robotham, also trying to give an impression of meaning business, but spoiling the effect by only achieving a breathless waddle. Bessie was to be Home Secretary, focussing on security.

The TV crews waited for the next arrival....and waited.

At 2.05 the door of No.10 opened and Prime Minister White appeared with his three colleagues. He approached the microphone and fiddled with the switch. In hushed tones the BBC commentator reminded viewers that Damian was Britain’s first black prime minister - although in fact he was more a coffee colour. Black and White, The Whisky Premier. West Ham had instilled in him the need to keep fit, something he had not forgotten, having put on only a few pounds since those glory days on the pitch. He looked young for his age; absurdly young to be Prime Minster.

Having finally found how to turn the mike on, Damian began with the usual mantra of being ‘honoured and humbled’ by his new responsibilities. That bit out of the way, he continued:

“Yes there are only four of us. We’re the slim-line team, with little more to do than deliver another parliament with a full quota of members. We’ve just passed the first part of that legislation. The next stage will examine the detail, crossing the ‘Ts’ and dotting the ‘Is’, making sure everything is as perfect as possible. This shouldn’t take long, because we’re already pretty much agreed.

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