House of Cards

[Urquhart meets with the Prime Minister, Henry Collingridge, anticipating his promotion to the cabinet in a reshuffle.]

Collingridge:
Now, I've had a careful look at this memorandum of yours. You're proposing a very radical change. I'd like you to tell me why.

Urquhart:
Well...

Collingridge:
Just in general terms.

Urquhart:
All right. We have been in power longer than any party since the war. It's a new kind of challenge. We need to show that we are not stagnating, that we are capable of self-renewal. Your own succession to the leadership, Prime Minister, is a very good example of the sort of thing I mean.

Collingridge:
And now you want to see a great deal more of that sort of thing.

Urquhart:
Well, I think we've had a pretty clear indication from the country that people are looking for some kind of change.

Collingridge:
You think so.

[Urquhart nods.]

Collingridge:
The...the new names you put forward here, none of them could be described as being on the liberal wing of the party. Wouldn't you agree, Francis?

Urquhart:
No one from the radical right, either. They're all good, sound men, Prime Minister.

Collingridge:
Good sound men from the shires, mm-hmm. Guaranteed to do that they're told?

Urquhart:
I'd rather say that they're all men who have been bred and educated in the tradition of public service, and have proved their reliability over long years.

Collingridge:
Well, yes. That is another way of putting it. And I see you're offering your own services in high office.

Urquhart:
You will remember, Prime Minister, that some months ago, we talked about the possibility that after the election, there might be a senior ministerial post.

Collingridge:
Yes, yes, I do remember that. Things do change so very quickly in politics, don't they, Francis? I'm very grateful, indeed, for your suggestions, but I have to tell you now that we disagree with you entirely. Do you remember Macmillan? The Night of the Long Knives? He sacked a third of his cabinet and destroyed his government in the process. He was out within the year, Francis. Now, here is what I have in mind.

[Collingridge hands Urquhart a paper with a list of prospective cabinet members.]

Collingridge:
As you see, no cabinet changes at all. I'm sure you'll be seeing what it is, a sign of strength and sureness of purpose.

[Urquhart is visibly flustered.]

Urquhart:
Well, I hope the parliamentary party will see it in that way.

Collingridge:
I rather count on you to press it home to them, Francis, as Chief Whip. I do assume I have your full support.

Urquhart:
Of course, Prime Minister. That goes without saying.

Collingridge:
Good. I want you to know that I still regard you as a candidate for the highest office. But, you are also the strongest and most deeply respected Chief Whip this party has had — I think I may say — since the war. It's such a slender majority in the House. A good Chief Whip is more important to me than a good Home Secretary.

[Unbeknownst to Collingridge, Urquhart is gripping his knuckles in rage.]

Urquhart:
You are too kind, Prime Minister. Much too kind.