Free Party Games by E J Greenway Page A

but with just enough disgust in his voice to encourage those behind him to join in.  Cabinet ministers waved in dramatic gesture and shook their heads in mock disappointment.
    “Maybe he can answer this one instead – why doesn’t he give the people of Cornwall the chance to decide for themselves if they wish to be independent from the UK?  Isn’t it simply the case that he is scared stiff of a referendum because he knows only too well he would lose that referendum?  And isn’t it also the case that the Prime Minister deliberately left the Bill out of his manifesto at the last election because he knew that the Honourable Lady for Cornwall North might otherwise have had to seek alternative employment?”
    A chorus of ‘hear, hear!’ from his colleagues drowned out the shouts of a female Labour MP. 
    “This is typical scaremongering from a party which has run out of steam and run out of ideas, Mr Speaker!”  The Prime Minister retorted, the Government benches exploding in agreement.  “And, it seems, they have run out of patience with each other!  Just ask their Deputy Leader, the Honourable Member for Romsey, who seems to be telling anyone who will listen that the Right Honourable Gentleman is wrong on this issue!  If he won’t listen to his colleagues, what chance is there he will listen to the British people?”
    Rodney felt a flush of anger as a mocking roar went up from the Government benches. He saw Colin stiffen next to him, but the man just smiled and shook his head.  Attempting a retort, Rodney struggled to be heard.
    “Order, order!”  Mr Speaker demanded, rising to his feet and glaring.  “I will not tolerate shouting in the Chamber, it’s disrespectful to the Leader of the Opposition!  And the new Opposition Deputy Chief Whip, the Honourable Gentleman for Barnstapole and Witherington, should be aware he is on his last warning!  Rodney Richmond!”  David Fryer turned red as the noise suddenly dropped to a low rumble, members egging each other on to be the first to disobey the Speaker and find themselves suspended for a week.
    “Thank you, Mr Speaker,” Rodney said gratefully, a page of notes and a copy of the newly published Bill clasped in his hand.  For the last fifteen months Rodney had been through a more intensive make-over than he ever thought possible, and all to this end.  He had the voice, the smile, the hair and wore an expertly tailored suit, every other man on that front bench looking inadequate next to him.  Colin Scott included. “It seems rather interesting, does it not Mr Speaker, that it is the Honourable Lady for Cornwall North who is shouting the loudest even though she knows she has the most to lose from this fudged and democratically damaging Bill?”
     “Wait for second reading!”  A lone male voice shouted from the Government benches.
    Unfazed, Rodney nodded.  “The honourable Gentleman shouldn't worry, we will certainly be waiting with great anticipation for Second Reading! As they say out there in the real world, Mr Speaker, rather than in the world of the benches opposite: ‘bring it on!’ ” 
     
    *****
     
    “Don’t forget, you’ve a number of calls you need to return before they all ring again.”  Colin’s PA said firmly as he swept past her desk, ignoring the disproving look on her face.  “And that Mr Wright has rung about six times, if you don’t ring him back about that phone mast I think he’s going to lynch you at the surgery.”
    Colin muttered that he would do his best to call Mr Wright after lunch. 
    “Where are you going for lunch?  There’s nothing in the diary.”  She asked breezily.  Colin had overheard her telling a colleague’s PA, rather loudly in the corridor, that she suspected her boss was either having a secret relationship, or plotting, or both.   He would have sacked her if she weren’t just as astute in her job.
    “Just to the pub, with an old friend.”  Colin smiled as he headed out.  “I’ll