148 Pieter Lawrence that can be done at little cost. The Prime Minister will broadcast tonight and he will announce the government’s programme of action. However, if you walk out of this meeting it could only be because you are turning your backs on the positive steps the government is taking. I’m sure that’s not what your supporters would want. On the other hand you may agree that we are taking action which has been more carefully worked out. So, how do you react to this? Do you accept that we are ahead of you and proceeding in a more practical way?” The delegation was now in a difficulty. They were inexperienced bargainers and they had no answer to the question of costs. Their main strength had been in their threat to walk out but Blake had forestalled this, warning that if they did so, he would use it against them amongst their supporters. Momentarily uncertain, Laurie turned to Hurst and Betty Stevens. do you think?” he asked. “What think we should discuss it on our own,” replied Betty “I Stevens. Laurie faced Bill Charman. need to talk in private,” he “We said. Bill Charman stood up. all means,” he said. do. “By “Please Just say when you’d like us back.” The two Ministers left an official outside the room and went through to Bill Charman’s office. thought all their business “I was open,” said Bill, say they have no secrets, but “They they’re talking in private now.” they know the room is bugged,” said Blake. “But but it still makes them hypocrites.” “Yes, let it slip that they know Olivers’ real name.” “Hurst that,” said Bill. believe he’s taken up with Janice “I “We Fearn and defected to the Campaign. That’s why he’s
148 Pieter Lawrence that can be done at little cost. The Prime Minister will broadcast tonight and he will announce the government’s programme of action. However, if you walk out of this meeting it could only be because you are turning your backs on the positive steps the government is taking. I’m sure that’s not what your supporters would want. On the other hand you may agree that we are taking action which has been more carefully worked out. So, how do you react to this? Do you accept that we are ahead of you and proceeding in a more practical way?” The delegation was now in a difficulty. They were inexperienced bargainers and they had no answer to the question of costs. Their main strength had been in their threat to walk out but Blake had forestalled this, warning that if they did so, he would use it against them amongst their supporters. Momentarily uncertain, Laurie turned to Hurst and Betty Stevens. “What do you think?” he asked. “I think we should discuss it on our own,” replied Betty Stevens. Laurie faced Bill Charman. “We need to talk in private,” he said. Bill Charman stood up. “By all means,” he said. “Please do. Just say when you’d like us back.” The two Ministers left an official outside the room and went through to Bill Charman’s office. “I thought all their business was open,” said Bill, “They say they have no secrets, but they’re talking in private now.” “But they know the room is bugged,” said Blake. “Yes, but it still makes them hypocrites.” “Hurst let it slip that they know Olivers’ real name.” “I that,” said Bill. “We believe he’s taken up with Janice Fearn and defected to the Campaign. That’s why he’s
the-last-conflict-pieter-lawrence.docx