1 9 8 6 (UK)
1 x 60 minute episode
This contemporary political drama from Central Television was written by Douglas Livingstone and directed by John Frankau.
Labour MP Tommy Rivers (John Stride) had confidently held his parliamentary seat at Brackley for 20 years, growing fat on the political gravy train, bedding his attractive secretary, Sue (Sue Holderness), and spending more time at the Commons bar than on the back benches.
Tommy had grown complacent in the safe seat and bitterly resented having to go through a re-selection ordeal which, in the past, had always been only a formality.
But this time, his seat was threatened by Clive Kirby (John Duttine), one of the young lions of the left who was waiting to steal his thunder and his MP’s salary – half of which he had offered to donate to local Labour Party coffers.
Clive believed Tommy had lost touch with ordinary working people . . . but Tommy was not the sort of man to lightly give up the privileges of 20 years.
During a social evening at the Labour club, Tommy – slightly the worse for drink – was rude not only to his young pretender but his best friend Frank (Peter Jones), the local party chairman. And Tommy’s wife, Liz (Judy Loe), was totally appalled when she discovered to what lengths her husband was prepared to go to keep his seat.
TV presenters Jon Lander and Gordon Honeycombe appeared as themselves.
Tommy Rivers
John Stride
Clive Kirby
John Duttine
Liz Rivers
Judy Loe
Sue
Sue Holderness
Frank
Peter Jones