SIR BERNARD WOOLLEY RECALLS [in conversation with the Editors]:
I well remember the dramatic events of two days later. I had called at the Ministers London flat, to collect him for a dinner to which I had to accompany him.
He was late home from the office. Annie Hacker was writing her Christmas cards, and asked me if I could put stamps on them while I was waiting.
I explained that I was not able to. Not, I hastened to explain, because the task was beyond me, but because I guessed that the cards were being sent to constituents. Such Christmas cards were considered political activity rather than government business, and of course as a Civil Servant I was not allowed to help with the Ministers political activities.
Im only asking you to lick some stamps, she said plaintively.
I explained that it would be government lick. [Bernard Woolleys cautious and pedantic attitude is seen clearly here, and doubtless explains his relatively quick rise to the highest reaches of the Civil Service Ed.]
Mrs. Hacker found an ingenious solution to her dilemma. Suppose all these cards were to journalists? she asked.
That would be all right, I confirmed.
Theyre all to journalists, she said firmly, and of course I could not doubt her word. So I settled down on the sofa to lick stamps, reflecting privately that licking is an essential part of relationships with the press. [Doubtless Bernard Woolley and Mrs. Hacker were pleased to be only licking journalists envelopes, for a change Ed.]
We discussed the opinion polls which had been released to the newspapers that morning. The Minister had been absolutely delighted with them. It seemed that the Home Secretarys misfortune had done the Government no harm in the country, even though he was the Deputy Leader of the Party.
We discussed the inevitable reshuffle, although Mrs. Hacker seemed uninterested. The only thing that concerned her was the fact that Hacker might get Northern Ireland, but we agreed that the Prime Minister did not appear to dislike Hacker enough for that. Most people, of course, found Ulster a dead end, although there was always the possibility of finishing up there in a blaze of glory. [We feel sure that Sir Bernard intended no puns here Ed.]
Eventually we switched on the television news. Like most Government wives, Annie Hacker liked to watch the news because it was her best chance of finding out where her husband was.
We were astonished by a newsflash, reporting that Number Ten Downing Street had just announced that the Prime Minister was to retire in the New Year.
According to the press release, the Prime Minister did not wish to serve through another Parliament and therefore was resigning now in order to give his successor a good run up to the next election. A historic day.
[Hackers diary continues Ed.]
December 22nd
When I got home Annie and Bernard were there, apparently poleaxed by the news of the PMs resignation. I knew already -- the PM had held an emergency Cabinet meeting late this afternoon, to tell us. You could have knocked all twenty-four of us down with the metaphorical feather.
Annie asked why hed resigned. That was the question we were all asking. He had said, to us and to the press, that hed done it so as to give his successor a good run up to the next election. So thats obviously not the reason.
There have also been some amazing rumours flying around Whitehall. The left are saying the PMs a secret CIA agent. The right are saying that hes a secret KGB agent.
Bernard and I discussed these rumours. Bernard had heard something quite different. Minister, Ive heard that there is 1 million worth of diamonds from South Africa in a Downing Street safe. [Similar rumours circulated in Whitehall at the time of the surprise resignation of Mr. Harold Wilson, as he then was.] But of course, he added, its only a rumour.
Is that true? I asked.
Oh yes, he said authoritatively.
I was amazed. So there are all those diamonds in Downing Street.
Bernard looked surprised. Are there?
I was confused. You said there were, I said.
I didnt, he replied indignantly.
You did! I wasnt going to let him get away with it. You said that there was this rumour. I said, is it true? And you said yes!
I said yes, it was true that it was a rumour.
No, you said youd heard it was true.
No, I said it was true that Id heard it.
Annie interrupted us. I apologise for cutting into this vital discussion, but do you believe the story about the diamonds?
I dont, and nor does Bernard (it transpires). Its not impossible, but its never been officially denied so I think we can discount it. The first rule of politics is Never Believe Anything Until Its Been Officially Denied.
We discussed the likely possibilities. It was clear that there wouldnt be a general election. Our party has quite a big majority. All that will happen is that the party must choose a new leader.
Annie asked me if I wanted the job.
I hadnt really thought about it. Theres no chance. Itll either be Eric [Eric Jeffries, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed.] or Duncan [Duncan Short, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Ed.]. I started to explain why to Annie. You see, it would have been Ray, he was Deputy Leader, but as hes had to resign from the Home Office
I stopped dead. Suddenly I understood. That was why the PM resigned! He had always hated Ray. And Ray was his natural successor. So he had hung on just long enough to make sure Ray didnt get the job.
[The Prime Minister had probably learned this trick from Clement Attlee, who unquestionably hung on as Prime Minister until Herbert Morrison was out of the running. It has also been suggested that Harold Wilson chose the time of his own surprise resignation to coincide with a period of Denis Healeys unpopularity with the Left of the Labour Party, thus ensuring the succession for James Callaghan. Of course, there is no evidence for this allegation Ed.]
I explained this to Annie and Bernard. Bernard was touchingly pleased that the Prime Ministers press statement had been true. So the resignation is to give time for the new leader to be run in before the next election.
Now that the Home Secretarys been run in already, said Annie with a quiet smile.
Naturally we started to discuss the two likely candidates. They had both buttonholed me after Cabinet this afternoon.
Eric wants me to support him, I told them. I think he could be the man for the job, hes been quite a successful Chancellor. Ive already indicated that Im on his side.
Annie was surprised. But what about Duncan?
Duncan is indeed a very real possibility. I nodded. Perhaps he should get it. Hes done quite well at the Foreign Office, after all. Yes, he could be the man for the job. I think perhaps Id better give him my support.
So youre supporting Eric and Duncan? she enquired innocently.
I was indignant. Its obviously a very difficult choice. Look, I told her, if I support Duncan, and Eric gets it then, thats it, its all over for me. But if I support Eric, and Duncan gets it thats it too.
Then dont support either of them, she suggested.
If only it were that simple. Then, whichever of them gets it, thats it!
She understood. Then she asked me which one I actually am going to support. I told her.
Ill support Eric.
Or Duncan.
December 23rd
Eric wasted no time in lobbying me. I was in my office at lunchtime when he phoned and said he was popping over for a drink.
Erics a charming man. Tall, elegant, greying hair, with an incisive, intelligent manner. Quite an appealing party leader to offer the electorate, I think. They never see the other side of him -- mean-spirited, devious and malicious. Hed hardly set foot in the room when he started rubbishing Duncan.
Duncans so divisive. So it really wouldnt be for the good of the party, or the good of the country.
I still havent made up my mind and I was struggling to find a way to avoid committing myself. I was starting to say that I didnt see how I could offer Eric my public support, when he explained his position more fully.