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Head of State review – Andrew Marr's first foray into political fiction Head of State review – Andrew Marr's first foray into political fiction
(about 2 hours later)
It's September 2017. On Thursday the 21st the British people will decide whether to vote yes to stay in Europe or no to leave.David Cameron has left the political stage; George Osborne sits in the Lords as a crossbencher; the Boris Johnson premiership has been and gone (although his brother Jo is chancellor of the exchequer). CharlesIII is on the throne and Hillary Clinton is US president. It's September 2017. On Thursday the 21st the British people will decide whether to vote yes to stay in Europe or no to leave. David Cameron has left the political stage; George Osborne sits in the Lords as a crossbencher; the Boris Johnson premiership has been and gone (although his brother Jo is chancellor of the exchequer). Charles III is on the throne and Hillary Clinton is US president.
Readers may be able to envisage some or all of this scenario painted by Andrew Marr in his "political entertainment", but what must surely be beyond anyone's imagination is that the prime minister, one Bill Stephenson, is universally respected and admired. Perhaps he's the PM that Andrew has always wanted to see in Downing Street. Stephenson is, in the words of the leader of the No campaign and former home secretary Olivia Kite, "a great, lovable, incoherent, charismatic, contradictory, sexy blob".Readers may be able to envisage some or all of this scenario painted by Andrew Marr in his "political entertainment", but what must surely be beyond anyone's imagination is that the prime minister, one Bill Stephenson, is universally respected and admired. Perhaps he's the PM that Andrew has always wanted to see in Downing Street. Stephenson is, in the words of the leader of the No campaign and former home secretary Olivia Kite, "a great, lovable, incoherent, charismatic, contradictory, sexy blob".
Having negotiated the Hanover Pact with the Germans (described by the Eurosceptics as "the Handover Pact"), he is heading for victory in his quest for a yes vote and continuing membership of the EU.Having negotiated the Hanover Pact with the Germans (described by the Eurosceptics as "the Handover Pact"), he is heading for victory in his quest for a yes vote and continuing membership of the EU.
But six days before referendum day he slumps across his desk in No 10. He has expired, passed away, he's brown bread – as dead as a Thames estuary airport plan. What follows is a variation of a Whitehall farce with the loss of vital limbs substituting for trousers. Think CP Snow crossed with Tom Sharpe.But six days before referendum day he slumps across his desk in No 10. He has expired, passed away, he's brown bread – as dead as a Thames estuary airport plan. What follows is a variation of a Whitehall farce with the loss of vital limbs substituting for trousers. Think CP Snow crossed with Tom Sharpe.
His inner circle decide that without him they'd lose the vote, so they conspire to cover up his demise. As the author generously admits, the idea for the plot came from elsewhere, but the story is told with gusto. It features a cast that includes Rory Bremner, Ian Hislop and (Sir) Nick Robinson as themselves, and thinly disguised versions of Damian McBride and Fraser Nelson (the latter so thinly disguised that his name is Nelson Fraser). Andrew Neil casts a "considerable and growing shadow", and there are also two references to the "Andy Marr show" and its revered producer Barney Jones (who is beside himself when No 10 pull the PM out of a scheduled interview). Even Elton John pops up on a radio call-in show as Reg Dwight from Pinner.His inner circle decide that without him they'd lose the vote, so they conspire to cover up his demise. As the author generously admits, the idea for the plot came from elsewhere, but the story is told with gusto. It features a cast that includes Rory Bremner, Ian Hislop and (Sir) Nick Robinson as themselves, and thinly disguised versions of Damian McBride and Fraser Nelson (the latter so thinly disguised that his name is Nelson Fraser). Andrew Neil casts a "considerable and growing shadow", and there are also two references to the "Andy Marr show" and its revered producer Barney Jones (who is beside himself when No 10 pull the PM out of a scheduled interview). Even Elton John pops up on a radio call-in show as Reg Dwight from Pinner.
It's fun to speculate on what we are learning about the thoughts of Marr from his first venture into fiction. Oxford is a "crowded, clucking duckpond of vanity and ruffled feathers" (Marr went to Cambridge). The British have "always been a people slow to feel political enthusiasm – one of the great secrets of their national survival". And political reporters "have virtually no understanding or interest in politics; serious politicians adore the few who do". I'm not sure if "adore" is the right word (and I wouldn't describe myself as a serious politician), but I bow to no one in my admiration for the author of this book. Like a Kate Bush fan at one of her comeback concerts, I want this to succeed.It's fun to speculate on what we are learning about the thoughts of Marr from his first venture into fiction. Oxford is a "crowded, clucking duckpond of vanity and ruffled feathers" (Marr went to Cambridge). The British have "always been a people slow to feel political enthusiasm – one of the great secrets of their national survival". And political reporters "have virtually no understanding or interest in politics; serious politicians adore the few who do". I'm not sure if "adore" is the right word (and I wouldn't describe myself as a serious politician), but I bow to no one in my admiration for the author of this book. Like a Kate Bush fan at one of her comeback concerts, I want this to succeed.
But I suspect that Marr enjoyed writing it more than I enjoyed reading it. There are the flowing passages and telling phrases that one would expect from such an accomplished writer. Some of the jokes are excellent and the inner workings of government (and, I'm sure, the media) are described with complete accuracy. However, for me, it was neither funny enough nor exciting enough to make me want to turn the page. While it's not meant to be taken seriously, even a satire has to carry the reader along. The characters were too Cluedo-esque to retain my interest.But I suspect that Marr enjoyed writing it more than I enjoyed reading it. There are the flowing passages and telling phrases that one would expect from such an accomplished writer. Some of the jokes are excellent and the inner workings of government (and, I'm sure, the media) are described with complete accuracy. However, for me, it was neither funny enough nor exciting enough to make me want to turn the page. While it's not meant to be taken seriously, even a satire has to carry the reader along. The characters were too Cluedo-esque to retain my interest.
For anyone minded to look on this book as a prediction, the good news for the Conservatives is that they're still in power three years hence. The bad news for Tory defector Douglas Carswell is that, according to Marr, Ukip's glory days are over. If a week is a long time in politics, just think what can happen in three years.For anyone minded to look on this book as a prediction, the good news for the Conservatives is that they're still in power three years hence. The bad news for Tory defector Douglas Carswell is that, according to Marr, Ukip's glory days are over. If a week is a long time in politics, just think what can happen in three years.
• Alan Johnson's This Boy is published by Corgi. To order Head of State or £14.99 with free UK p&p call Guardian book service on 0330 333 6846 or go to guardianbookshop.co.uk.• Alan Johnson's This Boy is published by Corgi. To order Head of State or £14.99 with free UK p&p call Guardian book service on 0330 333 6846 or go to guardianbookshop.co.uk.