Author Description

AND ENGLAND SHALL BE FREE by Anthony Sharp reminds us of the fun and laughter of the old 'Spitting Image' TV series, enjoyed by those with an open mind and sense of humour. Indeed, the book is written in a way which suggests the whole thing is a dream - the most prolonged and unnerving 'nightmare' of David Cameron's majority government. Despite moments of light relief, arrows are thrown at him from all sides: The Scottish Nationalist Party - with disturbing appearances of 'Queen Nicola' during the night in 10, Downing St, pressure from his own back-benchers, foreign leaders, etc. But Mr Cameron withstands the heat, and even stays on as Prime Minister when the 'Brexiters' win the referendum on Europe. He only really 'believes' when reality kicks in and he promptly resigns as PM and Theresa May succeeds him to make Brexit work. For even she is subjected to a special apparition: Baroness Thatcher herself urges her to concentrate on that English rose, and "England Shall be Free." In fact, a snap election - which is expected to hand Mrs May a massive majority - turns out to be a disaster, wiping out the slim majority she already has, and she is forced to solicit the support of the 'red-neck' DUP who can be relied upon to keep Jeremy Corbyn at bay. But 'dark forces' are again at work in the Tory ranks: who will succeed the PM in time for success at the next election?