The Whip (2024) Movie Script

(gentle sombre music)
(radio crackling)
(Westminster Chimes)
- [Newsreader] The news at 12
o'Clock, with Matt Fletcher.
(bell chimes)
The Government has published proposals
for its new Independence Credit scheme,
which it intends to launch
by the end of the year.
But campaigners have
criticised the reforms,
which could see a significant reduction
in financial support offered to carers
and those with disabilities.
Politics Now's Laura Ashworth
said that the scheme risked
leaving many vulnerable people worse off.
- [Laura] The fact is that
under these cruel proposals-
- [Sadie] There you go.
- [Laura] people with disabilities
will see a significant
reduction in real term income,
with no way to make up the shortfall.
Thousands of vulnerable people
will lose a valuable
lifeline, and essentially-
- [Sadie] They'll be here soon.
- [Laura] -be hung out to dry.
- [Newsreader] But with its
Commons majority at risk
in the upcoming Wrexham by-election,
the Work and Pensions
Secretary Harriet Noble
has insisted that the scheme is a priority
for the government, delivering
on its manifesto pledge
to put ability back into disability.
(switch clicks)
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(gentle sombre music)
(gentle sombre music continues)
(notification chimes)
(gentle sombre music continues)
(keyboard buttons clacking)
- Okay.
My name's Barbara Wilson,
and I'm a clinical nurse specialist
and medical professional,
and will be carrying out
your PIP assessment today.
You are Eleanor Baxter-
- Emily.
- Excuse me?
- My name is Emily.
- Emily, of course.
And I assume that makes you her carer?
- That's right.
- And your name is?
- Sadie.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
- And what relationship
are you to the claimant?
- I'm Emily's sister.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
- I'm going to ask you a few questions
about your day-to-day routine.
This isn't a medical examination,
just an overview of your conditions
to help us determine where
you struggle, is that alright?
But first of all, could
you tell me a little bit
about her condition?
- I mean, she's right here,
you can ask her yourself.
- Yes, of course.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
Go on!
- Well, I- I had a cardiac
arrest in my early 20s
which led to a brain injury.
- And how did you manage to do that?
- Excuse me?
- Your injury; How did
you manage to do that?
- Well, the cardiac arrest was genetic,
and the brain injury was a result of that.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
- Now, according to my
records you've requested
that this assessment should
be done in your own home.
Can you tell me whether your
condition hinders your ability
to travel?
- Well, yeah, I've got
some mobility issues.
- Mobility issues.
And in what other ways does
your condition affect you?
- Um, I have short-term memory loss,
and I get tired really easily.
I have problems with my balance,
and my hands shake which makes typing
and writing difficult.
- And tell me, have you
ever tried harming yourself,
or suicide?
- No!
- Jesus.
- Have you ever considered it?
- No!
(gentle pensive music)
(keyboard buttons clacking)
(gentle pensive music continues)
- You'll receive a letter
detailing the decision
in the next four weeks, but
if she's deemed fit for work-
- Fit for work? (chuckles)
Were you even paying attention in there?
- I'll remind you Miss
Baxter that the purpose
of this assessment is to
help us make a decision
regarding her abilities.
- Hm.
- But if she is found fit for work,
you'll be able to apply for
a mandatory reconsideration.
- Oh, good, more bureaucracy.
And what happens
if this Independence Credit thing
goes ahead?
- Well, that's for the
government to decide,
but it's likely that the claimant
would have to undergo a
separate reassessment.
- Another one?
Do you have any idea how
exhausting Emily finds
having to do these things
every couple of years?
- Oh, I'm quite aware.
- Or whenever somebody decides
to streamline the system again?
- Well...
- Look, it's stressful enough
without the threat of sanctions.
Would you really not able
to use today's appointment
to decide if she's eligible?
- Assuming the scheme goes ahead,
it would be likely to be judged
on a different set of criteria.
- Of course it would.
- Well, I'm sure you'll
appreciate how important it is
that we make sure that financial support
gets to the right people.
- Hm, yeah, of course.
Like the shareholders of whichever
outsourcing company it is
you work for.
- Thank you very much for your time,
and you'll be hearing from us soon.
(door creaks)
(gentle poignant music)
(gentle poignant music continues)
- So in essence, the
Independence Credit scheme
spearheads the Government's initiative
to overhaul the existing benefits system
for full time carers and their families.
Instead of a wide variety of sources,
many of which are redundant,
thus encouraging wasteful,
wasteful spending, Independence
Credit consolidates
the existing benefits and credits
into a single monthly payment.
The relevant departments will introduce
a streamlined application system,
which eliminates the need to apply
to multiple government departments,
both on a national and local level;
it- it- it cuts through red tape,
and it denies undeserved access
to entitlement programmes to
those who are just looking
for a free ride.
In order to make the, the
process more accessible,
those who require Independence Credit
will be able to apply
via the brand new app,
which will soon be available
from the App Store.
The App S- the App Store?
E-government in action.
Now, I know you hear all
sort of hysterical protest
and terrifying spin
from the opposition's so-called activists,
but let me reassure you,
Independence Credit has been
designed with the utmost care,
and no one will be left out.
Does anyone have any questions?
- [Attendee] How will
this affect benefits?
- Ah, yes, yes!
I- I- I- I can answer that.
Not with any specific figures,
but according to the calculations
of the departmental boffins,
you will be significantly better off than
under the existing system.
In fact, detailed proposals
are published later this week,
so you'll be able to see for yourself
just how much better off you will be.
This proposal is in complete accordance
(gentle poignant music)
with our election manifesto:
"To put ability back into disability."
Honestly, who comes up with this bollocks?
How do you put ability
back into disability?
- It was a manifesto pledge
which I'll remind you,
you were elected on.
- It's a nonsense
statement, is what it is.
It's one of Damian's diarrhetic
brainstorms, no doubt.
Do you know one good thing
about being a government minister?
- 150,000 a year and a ministerial car?
- It's the one job where
you're guaranteed to get fired.
Personally, I can't wait for the day
that he succumbs to his own stench.
And then, they complain that
I don't have the figures.
Well, of course, I don't have the figures,
they don't give government
ministers the figures,
because we always mess them up.
All I get, are five pages of key phrases
that must be included,
otherwise the message calendar
will be 'inaudible,'
or whatever it was they
said at the meeting,
I can't remember.
- Well either way, I
don't think they got it.
- Of course, they didn't get it.
They're not supposed to get it.
If they got it, they'd be furious.
Oh, I'm sorry, Nicole, sorry, I'm sorry,
I- I, I'm, I'm venting.
What have you got planned for tomorrow?
- You have a briefing
at 10:30 about the Rawalpindi trip, and-
- Where?
- Rawalpindi.
It's in Pakistan.
- Right. Got it.
- Then you have the Radio
4 interview at noon,
and you're on a conference call
with the Moldovans at 2:00.
- Oh, yes, yes.
The one trade deal to rule them all.
- Shall I schedule another consultation
about Independence Credit?
- No, I'm not doing it any more.
That is the last consultation
that you see me do.
I've pretended for long enough
that I support the Prime
Minister's social reforms,
but this is monstrous!
- Mr. Harrington, the party was elected-
- I've been in Parliament
for 35 years, Nicole.
35 years.
And I've kissed the ring
of every Prime Minister
and Chief Whip we've ever had.
And I made it to the front bench.
And not just some third-banana
Secretary of State
for pencils and other
stationery, a proper minister.
But these days, they're
courting all kinds of nutters
and unpleasant people, I don't
recognise the party any more.
(Harrington sighs)
For years, I've borne the
whip without complaint.
(gentle pensive music)
But I haven't forgotten what it means
to be a parliamentarian.
I'm gonna give Damian a piece of my mind,
and I don't care how much he threatens me,
there's nothing that he can do to stop me!
(paper rustling)
(footsteps tapping)
(gentle pensive music continues)
(door bangs)
(door creaks)
(footsteps tapping)
Don't you dare tell anyone I said that.
(footsteps tapping)
(gentle music)
(chair bangs)
(gentle pensive music)
(door creaks)
(door bangs)
(birds chirping)
(gentle pensive music fades)
- [Doctor] So, just to confirm,
I've renewed Emily's
prescription for her Bisoprolol.
- And the Ramipril?
- It's on there, too.
- Okay, great. Thanks.
- How are you doing?
- Oh, yeah, you know, she
has good days and bad.
- No, no. Not Emily.
(phone rings)
How are you doing?
- Me? (chuckles)
Um, yeah, I'm okay, I guess.
- Talk to me, Sadie.
You look tired.
- (chuckles) Does it show?
- More so than usual.
- Um,
Yeah, I mean,
Emily is my entire world now.
And that's not a complaint,
I'm happy to look after her. Really I am.
But you know, some days
are harder than others.
And those days nearly always start
with a brown envelope sticking
through your letterbox,
outlining whatever new hoops
someone's decided you need
to jump through.
(Sadie sighs)
I could never say any of this to her.
None of it's her fault.
- It's okay to struggle.
You do a difficult job.
- Yeah, I guess, I just,
I know how guilty Emily would feel
if she thought I was struggling.
Is it really too much to ask
that the institutions which
are meant to support us
didn't seem designed to fail?
Sorry.
She had her PIP reassessment yesterday,
which, again, I had to fight for,
just so she could have it at home.
And then, the woman that did it, uh...
- It's inhuman, the lengths they go to.
- Yeah, it really is.
And, as for these new reforms-
- Have you looked at
what they are planning?
- Yeah, it's ridiculous,
I don't think we'd be able to afford
any outside care any more.
- You're not the only
one I've heard that from.
- Hmm.
Do you think they'll go ahead with it?
- They'll try.
Although you never know, one more scandal
and the government could
collapse by Friday.
- We can only hope.
(phone rings)
- Listen,
(phone rings)
I'm part of this organisation,
the Disability Campaign Group.
(tense suspenseful music)
We've got a big protest
planned for next weekend,
if you're free.
- Hm.
- I think it would be
good for the both of you.
- Hm.
My friend Abi and I were used to be big
into this sort of stuff
there, back in uni, um...
(tense suspenseful music continues)
As a full time carer, I
literally don't have time.
- No, take it.
If nothing else, you'll know
that we're rooting for you.
- Thank you.
(Sadie exhales sharply)
(tense suspenseful music continues)
I'll see you in a few months.
- See you then.
(door creaks)
And don't let them grind you down.
(Sadie chuckles)
(gentle suspenseful music)
(door creaks)
(door clicks)
(gentle suspenseful music continues)
(gentle suspenseful music continues)
- [Speaker] Mr. Mark Compton.
(car whooshes)
- Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I have always been very
clear about my reservations
regarding the frequent changes
to the points based immigration
system of this country.
But Mr. Speaker-
- The time has come
- The time has come
- For our sovereign isle
- For our sovereign isle
- To finally take control of its borders.
- To finally take back
control of its borders.
And that is why I will be voting
with the government this evening.
- Good boy.
(knuckles rapping)
Come in.
- [Harrington] You
wanted to see me, Damian?
- Ah, Michael. Take a seat.
(clock ticking)
How are things?
- Fine.
- And the wife?
(clock ticking)
- Still left me.
- Oh, yes.
(clock ticking)
Good for her.
Brandy?
(clock ticking)
- Well, I- I suppose it is after 6.
(clock ticking)
(cork squeaks)
- So, Michael.
(liqueur burbling)
I've been informed
it was time the Chief saw Harrington.
(clock ticking)
- Oh? Whatever for?
(clock ticking)
- A little birdie tells me you're planning
to vote against the bill.
- Where did you hear that?
- You should know by now
that I have ears everywhere.
(clock ticking)
- For God's sake, Nicole.
- Perhaps I ought to send a
copy of your voting record
to your constituency chairman.
- You know full well,
I've always voted along the party line.
- And therein lies the problem.
Internal polling says we're
going to lose Wrexham.
In five weeks, we'll no longer
have a majority in the House.
- Perhaps we oughtn't have
put up the same candidate
who got done for expenses fraud.
- The Independence Credit vote
is going to be a three-line whip.
If you go and join the awkward squad
by voting against it now,
you'll only be making
life harder for all of us.
(clock ticking)
The party needs your vote.
- To hell with the party.
(clock ticking)
This isn't bloody China.
I won't do it. The whole thing is inhuman.
- To hell with the party?
You're part of the
government now, Michael.
This isn't the time to
start growing a conscience.
- I've been in this house
longer than you have, Damian.
Have you any idea how long it took
to shake being called the nasty party?
- We won on the promise of austerity.
- Barely won.
- And you know full well
the mess we inherited
from the last government.
- It's been thirteen years.
- We can't have you out there,
upsetting the electorate by failing
to deliver on our flagship policy.
- The electorate, or the donors?
(clock ticking)
- You've been in the house long enough
to know how this works.
We can't afford to give
people an easy ride,
just because they've got a sob story.
- This isn't a game, Damian.
We'd be condemning thousands
of people to lives of misery,
just to save a pittance.
- Cut back on the principles.
You really don't wear them well.
(clock ticking)
(footsteps tapping)
(gentle pensive music)
(lock clicking)
(safe door creaks)
(safe door creaks)
This might be of some interest.
(gentle pensive music continues)
Read it.
(gentle pensive music continues)
Aloud, Michael.
Read it aloud.
- "Michael Harrington, Secretary of State
for the Department of International Trade.
On October 3rd 1991, then
Parliamentary Under-Secretary
for Energy, Harrington entered
into a non-disclosure agreement
with a former member of
his parliamentary team,
who had accused him
of racially motivated unfair dismissal."
- No.
(gentle pensive music continues)
- "The staffer accused Harrington
of referring to her as..."
(gentle pensive music continues)
- Go on.
- I can tell what you're doing.
- What was that you were
saying, about the nasty party?
- That whole thing was a misunderstanding.
- Oh, I'm sure your marginal constituents
of Chingford would understand
346, your majority, wasn't it?
(gentle pensive music continues)
- How did you find out about this?
- It's my job to know where
the bodies are buried.
I literally know where
there are bodies buried.
Frankly, you're quite dull by comparison.
- You pathetic little man, Damian.
Do you honestly believe
you can blackmail me
into backing this odious policy?
- Oh, God, no.
- What?
- I'm not trying to sway you.
(gentle pensive music continues)
- ...has this evening,
resigned from the government,
following an outcry over
historic allegations of racism.
Downing Street has
issued a statement saying
that whilst the Prime Minister appreciates
the serious approach
with which Mr. Harrington had undertaken
his cabinet position, it
was wholly unacceptable
for a minister to have
ever used such language.
(gentle pensive music continues)
- I'm making an example of you.
(gentle pensive music continues)
- You can't do that!
- The Prime Minister wishes to thank you
for a job well squandered.
Oh, you should have
known it was inevitable.
- You're as inevitable
as a rat in a sewer.
- I'd hold off quoting Enoch Powell,
if I were you, especially
given your current situation.
Now, obviously in light
of these revelations,
you'll no longer be entitled
to the ministerial car.
But it's not all bad.
(gentle pensive music continues)
Here's some money for the bus fare home.
(gentle pensive music continues)
- I'll get you for this.
- Be sure to let me know when you do.
(gentle pensive music continues)
I'd hate to miss it.
(door clicks) (clock ticking)
(gentle pensive music continues)
- Police are asking
anyone with information
about the robbery to contact
Crimestoppers immediately.
The Trade Secretary Michael
Harrington has resigned,
following the emergence
of historic allegations
of racism towards a former staffer.
But this evening, Mr. Harrington refused
to comment on suggestions
that he should stand down
and make way for another by-election.
- [Reporter] Mr. Harrington,
is there any truth
to the allegations made against you?
- I have this evening
resigned from the government.
I feel it would be inappropriate
to comment any further on the matter.
- [Reporter] Are you
considering your position
in Parliament this evening?
- Listen, I shall continue
to represent and fight
for my constituents from the back benches,
where I fully intend
to vote down the Independence Credit bill,
and I refuse to be beaten into submission
by the Chief Whip and
his little black book.
Good evening.
(gentle ominous music)
(footsteps tapping)
- Downing Street has yet to
name Mr. Harrington's successor.
Meanwhile, as campaigning
for the Wrexham by-election
gets into full swing...
(gentle suspenseful music)
(keyboard buttons clacking)
(gentle suspenseful music continues)
(keyboard buttons clacking)
(gentle suspenseful music continues)
- [Abi] It's so good to see you!
- [Sadie] I know, you too!
- [Abi] I can't believe it's been so long.
- I know, I'm sorry.
I don't exactly get out
house much these days.
- No, No! Don't be silly.
Nothing to apologise for.
- Hm.
- How's Emily?
- Yeah, yeah, she's good, but,
I mean, you know, it's tough.
- Are you taking care
of her now, full time?
- Yeah, I did look into
going back to work part time,
but then there's a chance
I'd lose my carer's allowance
which means we'd actually
end up worse off.
So, thank God mum left us the house,
otherwise, I literally do
not know how we'd get by.
- She was an amazing woman.
- Yeah, she really was. (chuckles)
Can you imagine a single mum
being able to get her own place
on a nurse's salary nowadays?
- I can't imagine how hard it must be.
Especially with this fucking government.
They're only in it for themselves.
- When have they not been?
- Some things never change.
(Sadie laughs)
- Anyway, what about you? Any news?
- Well...
- Oh my God, of course, congratulations!
- Yeah, thanks!
Aw, aw.
- Aw. (chuckles)
- Thank God, yeah.
- How long has it been?
- Uh, just over a year.
- God, already?
- Yeah.
- I'm so sorry I couldn't be there.
Oh, I really wanted to, but-
- Oh, I completely understand.
- Yeah, Zac, right?
- Mm-hmm.
- Well I'd love to meet
him, obviously. (laughs)
- Yeah.
- So, how is married life treating you?
- Good, yeah. It's different, but good.
We're really good together.
- Oh, good, I'm so happy for you.
(Abi laughs)
And how's work going?
- Um, I mainly stay at home these days.
- What, you've become a
stay at home housewife?
You?
- It just sort of happened.
(Sadie laughs)
- Oh, what would young Abi say
if she knew one day you'd end
up embracing the patriarchy?
(Sadie laughs)
- Ah, well, Zac's business
is doing really well
and I had the opportunity
to take some time off,
you know, figure things out.
- I'm guessing that
lobbying didn't turn out
to be the fulfilling career
that you'd always wanted, then?
- Let's just say, working for a think tank
wasn't the same as organising a demo
in a run-down student flat.
- Hm.
Do you miss it?
The activism?
- God, yeah.
You know what, as bad as it was back then,
at least we had some idea what to do,
even if it never worked.
These days, it all feels so hopeless.
We had some good times, didn't we?
- We did, about that...
So, I'm putting together a job.
- A job?
(Sadie laughs)
You make it sound like a robbery.
- Well... (chuckles)
(gentle classical music)
- Okay, I don't need money.
- It's not about money.
- And if you're desperate,
you know I'd help.
- It's bigger than that.
- How big?
(gentle classical music continues)
(Abi laughs)
You're shitting me.
(gentle classical music continues)
I just don't understand.
The whole building's falling down,
and there's nothing of value in there.
- Power is valuable.
- It's hardly tangible though, is it?
- Just hear me out.
In a few weeks, the
people in that building
are gonna pass the
Independence Credit bill,
which will make it harder for Emily and I
and thousands of others
like us to survive.
- So we march, we petition,
we make our voices heard!
- And look how that turned
out for tuition fees, or Iraq.
You and I were there, there
were millions on the street,
it didn't make a blind bit of difference.
- We were on the right side of history!
- That's not enough for me.
There's being right,
and then there's actually
doing something about it.
- We'd be breaking the law.
- In a limited and specific way.
- I can help you financially-
- It is not about money!
Sorry, I know you mean well,
but this is bigger than just us.
We can't sit on the sidelines
and let this happen.
- Talk me through it.
- Okay.
Who is the most powerful
person in that building?
- The Prime Minister?
- Mm-mm, more powerful than that.
(bright lively music)
- When the government introduces a bill,
it first has to be voted
through the House of Commons
before it can become law.
It is the role of the Whips
to ensure that MPs vote
in line with their party.
In case of the Government Whips,
it is ultimately their responsibility
that the legislation
they introduce passes.
But this can prove especially difficult
when they have a slim
majority in the House,
and just a handful of rebellious MPs
can make the difference
between a successful bill,
(crowd cheering)
and a humiliating government defeat.
(siren blaring)
It is the whips' influence
that ultimately ensures
the government's agenda is fulfilled
and it has been suggested
that whoever holds the whip,
holds the power.
To assist with that influence,
it's long been rumoured
that the Chief Whip keeps
a little black book,
filled with dirt on
his honourable friends,
should a particularly difficult member
of the party's vote
ever need to be swayed.
(public chattering indistinctly)
- That is what we're gonna steal.
- I'm sorry.
You want to break in to one
of the most secure buildings
in the country, steal a dossier
full of blackmail material
that implicates the most
powerful people in the land,
and somehow get away with it,
despite never having done
anything like this before?
Well, you'll never be able to sell it.
- We're not going to sell it.
We're gonna leak it to the press.
(abi gasps)
- You're insane.
- You always said that you wanted
to cause a political earthquake, hm.
In the right hands, that book could go off
with a bigger bang
than even Guy Fawkes
could have dreamed of.
Give it to a hungry journalist,
and it might just generate enough scandal-
- To bring down the government.
- Exactly!
(gentle pensive music)
Whoever holds the whip holds the power.
(gentle pensive music continues)
- You'll never get away with it.
- We might.
- They'll come after you.
- We always were up for a fight.
(gentle pensive music continues)
(phone buzzing)
- Ugh.
Compton's got the trade job.
Talk about a revolving
door of incompetence.
- Some things never change.
- Did you buy that, just for this?
- Show, don't tell. (laughs)
Plus, it'll be fun, hm.
Like the good old days.
- Look, supposing I did agree to help,
what would we need?
- Well, I guess a safe house
would be a good place to start.
(gentle brooding music)
(gentle morose music)
(birds chirping)
(doorknob clicks)
(footsteps tapping)
- Will this do?
(gentle morose music continues)
So, if we do this...
If...
...how do you suggest we get in?
- Parliament belongs to the people.
We can go in whenever we like.
- But if we're there's to steal something,
there's likely to be an
element of trespassing.
- Which, fun fact, isn't
technically illegal,
unless you're physically
breaking and entering.
- I- even so, I hate to
dispel your illusions,
but it's going to take more than two women
to simply walk in off the street
and rob the Houses of Parliament.
- I never said it would just gonna be us.
We're gonna need someone on the inside.
- Oh, for-
- But I have an idea.
Just Leave that to me.
- Oh, what else?
- Well, if that book's
all it's hyped up to be,
we're gonna make a lot of enemies.
If we want even half a chance
of getting away with it,
we can't leave a trace.
So, we're gonna need someone
to disable the security cameras somehow.
- I might actually know someone.
- Really?
- My nephew, Zac's sister's kid.
- Hmm.
- He's young.
- (chuckles) Not to counter
a sweeping generalisation,
but being young doesn't automatically
make him a tech wizard.
- No, he got into trouble a few years back
for breaching his school's network,
and adding a filter to
one of the CCTV cameras.
It was just a prank, but they
suspended him for a week.
- Do you think we can trust him?
- Oh, yeah. He's trouble.
(gentle uplifting music)
(doorknob clicks)
(footsteps tapping)
- Hey.
- Hey, Carla.
- Did you have a good day?
- Yeah, it was nice, just
caught up with an old friend.
Everything okay, here?
- All good. All good.
Yeah, I just-- Emily's had
her medication for tonight,
you don't need to worry about that.
- Amazing, thanks so much.
- It's no problem.
- Ah, Listen, Carla, I know
it's kinda late notice,
but I don't suppose you might be free
to look after her again on Friday?
(gentle uplifting music continues)
- That should be fine, yeah,
as long as you call my agency.
- Great.
- Doing anything nice?
- Uh, not really, no.
Just someone I need to see.
(gentle uplifting music continues)
(train wheels clanging)
(footsteps tapping)
(birds chirping)
(gentle uplifting music continues)
(machine beeps)
(door clicks)
(speaker buzzing)
(door creaks)
(footsteps tapping)
(door clicks)
(birds chirping)
(footsteps tapping)
(birds chirping)
(knuckles rapping)
(door clicks)
(doorknob clicks)
- Hello?
(keyboard buttons clacking)
Jason?
- Yup.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
- How are you?
- Working.
- Cool.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
Are your parents around?
- Nope.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
- Listen, I was hoping
to have a chat with you.
- What?
(wheels whirring)
- [Sadie] Mr. Harrington.
(gentle music)
(footsteps tapping)
- [Harrington] Hello, Miss...
- Baxter. Sadie Baxter.
- [Harrington] Miss Baxter.
Pleasure to meet you.
- You, too.
- Do take a seat.
Now, how can I help?
- [Abi] You remember that
stunt you pulled at school?
- The one I got kicked out for?
Vaguely, yeah.
- Well, I might need you to
do something similar for me.
- What are you up to?
- Promise you won't tell?
- I wanted to thank you
for taking a stand against
this Independence Credit thing.
- Oh. You're welcome.
- I'm a full-time carer for my sister,
she experienced a brain
injury a few years ago.
- I'm very sorry to hear that.
- Well, we really appreciate
having you fighting our corner.
- I want you to rest assured,
I will never vote for that bill,
no matter what they throw at me.
- That is what I was hoping to hear.
- In the mean time, is
there any local matter
I can help you with?
- Oh, I'm not a constituent.
- Oh, I see.
Well, this surgery is meant
for constituents only.
- I think they might have given up on you.
- Hypothetically speaking,
I might need to gain access
to a heavily secured building.
Preferably unseen.
- You're gonna rob a bank?
- No! N- no, no, no, no, no.
Not a bank.
- You're gonna help me stop that bill.
- Miss Baxter, there's
nothing more that I can do.
- I wouldn't be so sure.
- All I need is for you to
shut down some security cameras
for a few minutes.
Do you think you can do it?
- Yeah, probably.
- Great.
- What's the take?
- Something big.
- I have a idea.
But I'm gonna need help
from someone like yourself,
a sympathetic party on the inside.
(gentle music continues)
- Go on.
- We're gonna bring down-
- The government.
- I don't do politics.
- I think you should leave.
- 17,000 people died after
the last set of reforms,
and you voted for every single one.
- Miss Baxter, I had no choice.
I'm a gov...
I was a government minister.
There had to be collective responsibility.
You'd have to be blind, not
to see the damage you've done.
You owe it to them.
To us.
- We're the fifth richest
country in the world,
and yet our levels of social
inequality are off the scale!
Don't you want to help people, Jason?
- Why on Earth should I help you
to burn my party to the ground?
(gentle music continues)
- Revenge.
(gentle music continues)
- What do you say?
- Nah.
- Oh.
- Now if you'll excuse me,
I have some paid work to get on with.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
(gentle music continues)
- I'll give you 500.
(door creaks)
(phone rings)
- We're on.
(door creaks)
(gentle music continues)
(door bangs)
(birds chirping)
(car whooshes)
(birds chirping)
(footsteps tapping)
(phone buzzing)
(phone buzzing)
Hello?
Yeah, through the gate on the left,
and the door should be open.
See you in a second.
(phone beeps)
He's here.
(footsteps tapping)
(door creaks)
- Miss Baxter.
- Sadie, please. Come on in.
- [Harrington] Sorry I'm late,
I'm not used to finding
my own way around, I'm-
- No, don't worry about it.
And Michael, this is Abi.
- Hello Abi, I'm-
- I know who you are.
What the hell is he doing here?
- He is our inside man.
- He is a racist piece of shit.
- Now, steady on-
- Why is there a racist
piece of shit in my garage?
- It was a misunderstanding-
- [Sadie] Michael...
- I- If I can just explain-
- Just give us one minute.
Come here.
- Why didn't you tell me it was him?
- Because I knew you'd get angry.
- I am angry!
- Well, then, I was right.
- He has no place on our
team. He's one of them.
- We need him.
- We can find someone else!
- Who? There isn't anyone else.
- What even makes you
think we can trust him?
He is the reason we even need
to do this in the first place!
- He, he had to, it was
collective responsibility.
- Oh, so he was only following orders?
Great!
His lot implemented austerity!
- Abi, think about it.
We need someone that has
been chewed up and spat out,
that knows that side of
the House inside out.
Hm.
Try to be civil.
Sorry.
- I'm Michael.
- I hate you and everything you represent.
(door creaks)
- You don't have to like me.
(doorknob clicks)
But this will be a lot easier
if you can work with me.
(footsteps tapping)
- Hey.
Oh, snap, aren't you that racist?
- It was a misunderstanding.
- Sit down, Jason.
- Firstly, I wanna thank
you all for coming.
By now, you know the stakes.
What we're planning to
do here is unprecedented.
It's not gonna be easy.
By opening these floodgates,
we're gonna piss off some very powerful,
maybe even dangerous people,
I can't promise they're
not gonna come after us.
If we succeed, the
consequences will be seismic,
but it's not gonna be any of our names
that are in the history books.
In fact, outside of this room,
we may never even be able
to speak of it again.
I also can't stress enough
that there isn't gonna
be some big pay-off,
we're not gonna be walking
away with $100 million,
like they do in the movies.
We, we're not doing
this for financial gain.
- Well, speak for...
- If that's gonna be a problem for anyone,
then I thank you for your time.
But from this point onwards,
I need anyone that remains in this room
to be fully committed, 100%.
This is your last chance to walk away.
(exhales sharply)
Okay.
Time to organise.
Yeah.
Michael.
- The Whip keeps the book
in a safe behind the desk
in his office.
And the trouble is, he's
there most of the time.
He's the beating heart of the government,
he's the first to arrive,
he's the last to leave.
One of us ought to tail him, regardless.
We need to strike
when he's otherwise engaged,
rounding up the troops.
- The day of the vote?
- I might be stating the obvious here,
but if the whole point is
to bring down the government
before they can pass the
bill, won't that be too late?
- Well, it still has to go
through the House of Lords,
before it goes for Royal Assent.
But if our plan works, and
there's no government in place,
and parliament is prorogued-
- The bill falls at the final hurdle.
(gentle music continues)
How long do we have?
- Well, the clock is ticking.
They'll want to table the bill
before we risk losing
our majority in Wrexham.
That gives us three weeks, four at best.
- Then we better get cracking.
You said he keeps it in a safe?
- Hm, yeah, some old-fashioned thing.
He has rather a taste for the theatrical.
- Does it have a key, or
is it a combination lock?
- It's a dial, I think. I'll find out.
- Right, um.
(gentle music continues)
(footsteps tapping)
Now, when you enter the building,
go through the central lobby.
(pen screeches)
To your left, the House of Commons.
To your right, the House of Lords.
And straight ahead is the
cheapest bar in London.
(pen clicks)
- Our taxes at work.
- Here on the left is a staircase,
and the whip's office
is on the first floor.
Now, what you could do, is
you could join the queue
for the public gallery, slip away
in the central lobby
and I could take you from there.
But we would need access to the office.
- Er, trespassing!
- Well, only if you're actually-
- You could just kick the door in?
- That's vandalism!
- We- we will find a way.
But that all seems pretty straightforward.
Get in, get out, bring down a government.
Simple!
- As long as we don't all get arrested.
- The Whip won't want to
get the police involved.
It would be far too humiliating
for him having lost the
book, given what's inside.
He won't want to attract the
attention of the authorities,
but that doesn't mean
he won't come after us.
- Which is why we need Jason
to handle the security cameras.
There can't be any
record of us being there.
- Perhaps we can all sign an NDA.
- Well, I had a look at the
360 tour on the website.
There's a couple of security
cameras in the lobby,
but not much else.
- They only have them in the public areas,
it's something to do with being listed.
- Anything outside?
- There's a couple outside,
but I'd guess that's
controlled by the police.
- It's all part of the
government security area.
The Whip won't have access
to any of that footage.
- Well, I'll need access
to the internal network.
- Can you do that from my office?
- If it's inside, then, yeah, sure.
- I could get you in as my intern.
We'd have to keep you separate
from the team on the day,
because you'd be signed in.
Which I suppose means
that we need to synchronize watches.
- (laughs) I don't have a watch.
- Ah, yeah, me neither.
(gentle music continues)
- Really?
- I just use my phone.
- Same.
- Oh.
(gentle music continues)
- Right.
Any questions?
- Yup.
- [Sadie] Jason.
- What's a Whip?
(Harrington sighs)
(Harrington chuckles)
(gentle pensive music)
(bus whooshes)
(gentle pensive music continues)
(public chattering indistinctly)
(gentle pensive music continues)
(footsteps tapping)
- [Harrington] Jason.
(footsteps tapping)
- S'up?
- Are the glasses really necessary?
- Reservoir Dogs, innit.
You know they all die in the end?
Follow me.
(gentle pensive music continues)
(footsteps tapping)
(footsteps tapping)
- It's a bit less posh through here.
- What these corridors lack in glamour,
they make up for with power.
Watch out, that's him.
- [Damian] Michael.
- [Harrington] Damian.
- How thoroughly dull to see you.
- The displeasure is all mine.
(Damian laughs)
- And who's this little
publicity stunt of yours, then?
- This is Jason, my new intern.
Jason, this is Damian,
my cabinet colleague.
- Former colleague, Harrington.
You resigned in disgrace, remember?
I wonder if Jason knows why?
- 'Cause he's a racist.
(Damian laughs)
- I like him.
Anyway, mustn't keep the driver waiting.
(footsteps tapping)
- Prick.
- [Damian] Prick with a
ministerial car, though.
(footsteps tapping)
(footsteps tapping)
(door lock beeps)
(door creaks)
(switch clicks)
- Take a seat.
(footsteps tapping)
(door creaks)
- What's the Wi-Fi?
- Oh, there isn't any.
There's a cable on the desk.
- Seriously?
- Well, they didn't factor
in coverage in 1870.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
So, talk me through it.
Are you gonna be hacking
the mainframe, as they say?
Well, that was quick!
- I ran a scan for every
device on the network,
and it just popped up.
Whatever idiot decided
to connect the cameras
through the corporate network
had no idea what they were doing.
- Hm, probably a party donor.
- It didn't even ask me
for a password or anything.
The whole network security is shocking.
- Hm, I out to flag that one up.
Oh, right, perhaps not.
- If I can overload the router,
should be able to reboot
it and buy us some time.
- How long?
- Like, five minutes?
- That won't be enough.
- I can probably do it a couple of times.
I bet they're always rebooting it,
the whole system is a joke.
- You know, I've been
thinking about the key code.
- For the prick's office?
(Harrington laughs)
- Glad he made an impression.
Obviously I don't know anything
about this sort of thing.
But the cleaners must have a
record of all the entry codes.
- It's worth a look, yeah.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
- There you go.
Every security code, for
every door, in one file.
- How do you do that?
- The network security is-
- Shocking, right.
- So, what's his room number?
- 109.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
- 109,
- Of course, it is.
The day Mrs. T took office.
- Who?
(footsteps tapping)
- So, I suppose I'll see
you on Tuesday, then.
- Suppose so.
- Good work today, Jason.
- Thanks.
See ya.
(footsteps tapping)
(gentle pensive music)
- [Colleague] Where is he?
- Did you see? Yes.
- That's a man that can't let go.
- 40579.
Huh.
(gentle pensive music continues)
(footsteps tapping)
(paper rustling)
(footsteps tapping)
(gentle pensive music continues)
(clock ticking)
(door lock beeps)
(clock ticking)
(gentle pensive music continues)
(footsteps tapping)
(clock ticking)
(gentle pensive music continues)
(camera clicks)
- [Sadie] Is that pressure okay?
- Yeah, good.
(mobile buzzing)
- Hold on.
(gentle pensive music continues)
(Emily laughs)
(Sadie chuckles)
- Did you lift that from my pocket?
- Maybe.
- Okay, you're gonna have
to show me how to do that.
(gentle pensive music continues)
(clock ticking)
(door creaks)
(door clicks)
(birds chirping)
(footsteps tapping)
(paper rustling)
No.
Nope.
Nope.
That one!
- Vintage Pendlebury combination
safe, good condition,
less than 3 miles from here.
700?!
- We need it.
- I never realised robberies
were so bloody expensive.
Do you wanna do the honours?
Oh, for Christ's sake.
- I mean, you are
married to a millionaire.
(door creaks)
- Morning.
- We've just got a safe.
- Ah, fantastic!
- Woo-bloody-hoo.
- Jason, how did you get on?
- Yeah, good.
The network's a complete mess,
the camera wasn't even encrypted.
I managed it in no time.
- He did, it was most impressive.
- Well, that's good news for us.
- I just need to DDoS the router,
that should take everything offline
give us maybe about five minutes.
- Is that all?
- Well, I can do it a couple of times.
But by the third one,
they'll definitely know it's coming
from inside the building.
- So you're gonna need
to get out of there fast?
- Yeah, the trouble with that is,
I have to reboot it manually.
But, it's fine. I can run.
- Okay, so you can give us, what?
A 15 minute window?
- More or less.
- Good work.
- Jason also managed to get the entry code
for his office.
And I tried it, it works.
I even managed to resist
pissing in his brandy.
- Delightful.
- To be fair, we met him on the way up.
He'd have deserved it.
- Jason?
- Hey, uncle Zac!
- Hey, man! How are you doing?
- Zac! You're home.
- Yeah, I just popped
back to get something...
Aren't you-
- No, no.
- He gets that a lot.
(Harrington chuckles)
(footsteps tapping)
- Babe, what's going on?
- Um, uh...
Book club.
- Book club?
- I've started a book club.
- In the garage?
Don't you need a book for book club?
- Teething problems.
I- It's all a bit new.
- Right.
Look, I'm just gonna grab this and-
- I'll see you tonight.
- Yeah, see you later.
- Love you!
(footsteps tapping)
- Bye, uncle Zac.
- Bye.
(door creaks)
(Abi exhales sharply)
(footsteps tapping)
- Book club?
- I panicked.
- As I was saying, we still
need to break down our roles
for the day.
But Abi, I think you should
be our eyes on the Whip.
- Uh-huh.
- Michael, once you show
me where the office is
I'll handle the raid.
That's the risky part.
- What are we gonna do with
the book, once we have it?
- I think I know who we can send it to.
- But if we're sending it anonymously,
how will they even know it's real?
- They'll know.
- And what if it doesn't work?
What if they publish it,
and it turns out that nobody gives a shit?
- It will work.
- And how can you be sure of that?
- Well, it got you to hate me, didn't it?
- Okay, well, I don't think
there's much more we can do
until we get the safe.
Anyone fancy a drive?
(gentle morose music)
(birds chirping)
(gentle morose music continues)
- Anything exciting going on?
- Just checking my socials,
innit. Passes the time.
- Wastes the time.
When I was your age, we had
to learn how to be bored.
- Is that why you got into politics?
- Politics isn't boring!
It's not!
Politics shapes peoples lives,
from fixing potholes to
influencing the economy.
- It's pretty boring.
- Politics is like, it's like football.
- I thought your lot
wanted to keep politics
out of football.
- On the contrary, it's
footballers getting involved
with politics that terrifies them.
- Then maybe you should stop
picking fights with them, then.
- I agree.
What team do you support?
- Chelsea.
- Well, you've got your Red
Devils, and your Boys in Blue.
Both have their legion of supporters,
and each one wants to control the ball
or, in this case, the country.
There's also Norwich City over there,
but we try to not let
them get on the pitch,
unless we're a few men short.
- Alright, so, how do you score a goal?
- Well, you've got your
home team, the government,
and they want to pass legislation.
And for the most part,
it's the opposition's job
to catch the ball and stop them.
Of course, some of us
are a bit old-fashioned,
and we tend to think
that things are better
if you put aside your
differences and come together.
- There's a chant you don't
hear on a Saturday afternoon.
- Much as you may hate any
team that isn't Chelsea,
there wouldn't be a game without them.
It's the same for parliament.
Government needs a strong opposition
to keep it in check,
otherwise the whole thing falls apart.
How old are you, now?
- 21.
- So, did you vote in the last election?
- Nah. They're all the same.
I mean, the people that get in, anyway.
- So you threw away your vote,
just because you thought
that your team wouldn't win.
- The system's rigged.
- Oh, Jason.
Your generation are supposed
to be the optimistic ones.
It might seem like
you're putting your cross
on some insignificant ballot paper,
but honestly it's like
having a superpower.
The box that you mark has the
power to change the world,
but you only have it
if you actually engage.
- I might, if you actually
made it interesting.
- (Laughs) Yeah, well,
that's why we don't.
It's weaponized boredom.
Your generation tends
to not vote for our lot,
so why would we encourage you?
(door thuds)
- [Abi] Thanks for the help, lads.
- You didn't ask!
(car engine cranking)
(car engine revving)
(door clicks)
(car engine revving)
(birds chirping)
- So... does anyone
know how to pick a lock?
Hm.
- What combination did she give you?
- Uh
34-87-52.
(knob clicking)
- What on Earth are you doing?
- She's listening for the sound it makes
when it hits the right number.
(knob clicking)
Show, don't tell.
(knob clicking)
(safe door creaks)
- Okay, you got the instructions?
- Yup.
- Does it say how to
change the combination?
- "Raise the levering pin
on the inside of the door,
and set your three digit combination."
- Okay, do it.
(footsteps tapping)
(knob clicking)
- Okay.
- Okay.
(knob clicking)
(lock bangs)
(lock clangs)
Uh.
Shit.
- Don't worry, we'll figure it out.
(footsteps tapping)
(safe bangs)
- The internet.
- Seven hundred pounds.
(footsteps tapping)
(footsteps tapping)
(birds chirping)
(paper rustling)
(birds chirping)
- The- the issue is that
you've deemed my sister,
who can't even get dressed unaided,
as being fit to work!
- [Assessor] Well, it
seems our assessment found
that the claimant, Eleanor-
- Emily.
(assessor clears throat)
- [Assessor] Found that
Emily's quality of life
isn't significantly
impaired by her condition
and, as such, she'll no longer be entitled
to some of the financial support
previously afforded to her.
- The quality of her life
hasn't been impaired?
You've no fucking idea.
And what about the quality of my life?
I'm the one who has to look after her!
- [Assessor] If you'd like to begin
the mandatory reconsideration process,
I can log that on the system for you.
- And how long does that take?
- [Assessor] Once the
paperwork's been filed,
you'll receive a decision in
approximately eight weeks.
- Eight weeks?
- [Assessor] Would you
like me to do that for you?
- Uh.
Yes, send the forms.
(keyboard buttons clacking)
- [Assessor] Okay! I've
arranged for the form
to be mailed to you within
the next ten working days.
Is there anything else
I can help you with?
- [Sadie] Ugh!
(bell rings)
- Mr. Harrington! Mr. Harrington!
George Stevens, I'm a researcher
for the News at 1.
I was wondering if we could
trouble you for a few words
on the latest Wrexham polling numbers?
- I'm so sorry, I'm on my
way to vote for something.
- I know, but we're just over here,
I promise you, it'll only take a minute.
(bell rings)
Mr. Harrington?
(tense menacing music)
- Shit.
- Did this not occur to you before?
- Well I'm not generally in
the habit of plotting heists!
- How likely is it there'll
be TV cameras there?
- On the day of a major vote? 100%.
- Shit. Jason?
- If they're on a live satellite feed,
there's nothing I can do.
- Is there any other route
into the whip's office?
- Only via the Sovereign's Entrance,
but even I'm not allowed through there.
- There must be a way.
- Not without leaving a trace!
- I don't have a choice.
- It's alright, we've
got time (phone buzzes)
to figure this out.
- No we don't.
- Well, it's been a long time coming,
but I'm very pleased that we'll
finally be able to deliver
on our manifesto pledge
and put ability back into disability.
- Once again, breaking news
in the last few minutes
it's been announced
that there will be a vote this Thursday
on the government's flagship
Independence Credit bill.
- Shit, shit, shit, shit.
- They must have got the numbers.
- We're screwed.
- Two days.
Does anyone have any ideas?
- No.
- [Agent] I'm sorry Miss Baxter,
there's really nothing I can do.
- But I've arranged last
minute care for her before!
- [Agent] I'm afraid we're
short-staffed at the moment.
- Yeah, I really need to
make this appointment.
What am I need to do,
leave her on her own?
- [Agent] I would obviously
advise against that.
(Sadie sighs)
(phone beeps)
(gentle pensive music)
- Emily?
- Hey.
- Hey.
(gentle pensive music continues)
Um, ah.
I get obviously this is harder on you
than it is on me.
- Hm.
- But...
I've been struggling for a while, now.
- Oh no, I'm sorry.
- No, hey, no, don't say sorry, okay?
This is not your fault.
Don't you dare think that.
(gentle pensive music continues)
But if this new scheme goes ahead,
I honestly think we're done for.
(gentle pensive music continues)
Now there is one thing I can try.
- Hm.
- And sorry, I- I can't
tell you what it is,
and it's not gonna make
our lives any easier,
but it might at least stop
them from getting harder.
- Okay.
But...
it means I'm gonna have to leave you
on your own for a bit.
- Oh.
- I know, I wouldn't do it if
I could see another way, but
I have to.
For you, for me,
For everyone else that's like us.
- Okay.
(gentle pensive music continues)
- I don't feel like I've got a choice.
(gentle pensive music continues)
Hey.
I love you.
You know that, right?
- Of course.
It's gonna be okay.
(gentle pensive music continues)
(gentle pensive music fades)
(intercom rings)
(intercom rings)
(intercom rings)
(intercom rings)
(tense foreboding music)
(footsteps tapping)
- The internet.
- What?
Abi, it's 6 a.m.
- This is from a couple of weeks ago.
- [Newsreader] ...talk now
to our political editor Kathryn Nichols,
who's been listening
to today's proceedings.
Kathryn, you might want
to explain first of all,
what the noise is behind you.
- Yeah, things have gotten
a little lively here
in Central Lobby, which
has taken the focus off-
- You're just showing me the problem.
- [Kathryn] Of today's proceedings.
- Keep watching.
- A number of protestors
have made their way
into the building, because of their-
- You can't film this.
You can't film this.
- [Kathryn] Excuse me?
- [Doorkeeper] You're
not allowed to film this.
- Why not?
- It's part of the rules and
conditions of you being here.
Stop please.
- Well as you can see, we're
not allowed to film this,
so unfortunately, we'll
have to hand back to you
in the studio.
(tense foreboding music continues)
- Um, well, ah, apologies for that,
but we will of course, take
you back to Westminster
as soon as possible.
- I checked, it took 15 minutes
for them to get back on air.
- It's tight.
- But within our window!
- Okay, right, we need to organise.
- Leave it to me.
You've enough on your plate.
There's... something else
we should talk about.
(tense foreboding music continues)
- Go on.
(tense foreboding music continues)
- I've been thinking,
I should be the one to
raid the office, not you.
- Oh, what? Abi, no.
You guys are all doing this because of me.
I should be the one who takes that risk.
- Yeah, but what about Emily?
If something goes wrong and I
get arrested, then big deal,
the crazy activist girl had it coming.
But if you get caught,
what happens to Emily?
(gentle poignant music)
- I can't ask you to do that.
- I want to.
I've finally got a chance to do something
that might actually make a difference.
And she needs you.
(gentle poignant music continues)
- Thank you.
(gentle poignant music continues)
Don't you dare get caught! (chuckles)
(gentle poignant music continues)
- Morning.
First one, I see.
Abi, I- I- I was hoping
to have a little chat
with you about, you know-
- If you're going to hit
me with a charm offensive,
I have better things to do.
- No, no, no, I- just wanted you to know
that the whole thing, it was a mistake.
(chair bangs)
- That's the thing with your lot,
you're always blaming other people--
- It was my mistake.
- What?
- I did something stupid,
and I used a word that is
completely inappropriate.
- You should have known better.
- Yes, I should have done.
And I was embarrassed by it.
That's why I arranged for
the non-disclosure agreement.
And that was wrong too.
I know that you'd never vote for me.
I'm not even asking you to forgive me,
I just want you to know that I've learned
from my mistakes.
And whatever divides
might exist between us,
we're heading for the same destination,
we just don't agree about
the route there, that's all.
It's a lot easier to get things
done when you're bipartisan.
I promise you that, for this one,
we're on the same side.
- Okay.
- Okay?
Friends?
- Don't push it.
(door creaks)
(footsteps tapping)
- What did I miss?
(gentle uplifting music)
Okay, book club.
This is it.
Today we face down the
proponents of austerity,
those working in the
interests of party donors
and corporate lobbyists.
Today, we show them what we can achieve
when we set our differences
aside for the greater good,
and stand together for what's right.
(gentle uplifting music continues)
Today,
thousands are counting on us
to put an end to social injustice.
(gentle uplifting music continues)
Today, we hit them with the one thing
they are counting against,
our willingness to fight back.
- Good luck.
(gentle uplifting music continues)
- And today,
we show them the power of our union.
(gentle uplifting music continues)
Let's bring down the government.
(gentle uplifting music fades)
(helicopter blades whirring)
(upbeat apprehensive music)
(upbeat apprehensive music continues)
(footsteps tapping)
(upbeat apprehensive music continues)
(indistinct chattering)
(indistinct chattering)
- ...but not be voting against.
- Of course.
(upbeat apprehensive music continues)
- So we're going live at
the top of the hour, yeah?
Okay.
(upbeat apprehensive music continues)
(upbeat apprehensive music continues)
(keyboard buttons clacking)
You join us live from Westminster
on what's set to be a dramatic afternoon,
as the government finally attempts
to pass its Independence
Credit initiative.
(upbeat apprehensive music continues)
You join us now live,
you join us live, blah.
You join us live from Westminster
on what's set to be a dramatic afternoon
as the government finally
attempts to pass...
(upbeat apprehensive music continues)
(upbeat apprehensive music continues)
(Westminster Chimes)
(Sadie breathing deeply)
(watch ticking)
(bell dings)
(tense dramatic music)
(keyboard buttons clacking)
(camera beeps)
(bell dings)
You join us live from Westminster
on what's set to be a dramatic afternoon,
as the Government finally attempts
to pass--
- [Crowd] Stop Independence Credit!
(bell dings)
Stop Independence Credit!
Stop Independence Credit!
Stop Independence Credit!
Stop Independence Credit!
Stop Independence Credit!
Stop Independence Credit!
Stop Independence Credit!
Stop Independence Credit!
- [Security] You can not film here.
You cannot film here,
I've told you this before.
Thank you, shut off the camera, stop.
- [Kathryn] We just need one minute...
(bell dings)
(crowd chattering indistinctly)
- [Kathryn] Okay.
(bell dings)
(tense dramatic music continues)
(bell dings)
(tense dramatic music continues)
(footsteps tapping)
(gentle pensive music)
- That's him, over there.
- Okay, got it.
Hey, good luck.
(gentle pensive music continues)
(tense dramatic music)
(keyboard buttons clacking)
(tense dramatic music continues)
(footsteps tapping)
(tense dramatic music continues)
- Follow me.
(tense dramatic music continues)
(lock beeps)
(tense dramatic music continues)
- Please work.
(safe bangs)
(safe door creaks)
(paper rustling)
Shit.
(tense dramatic music fades)
- Keith.
- Damian
- Yes. how are you.
- Good.
(phone buzzes)
(gentle suspenseful music)
(phone buzzes)
(gentle suspenseful music)
(phone buzzes)
- Abi, what are you doing?
We're not meant to be on our phone--
- It isn't here!
- What?
- The safe is empty!
(gentle suspenseful music continues)
- Let me help you with that.
- So.
- Dammit.
- He has it with him.
- What? Are you sure?
- Yeah, I'm looking at it right now!
- You know more than anyone,
but no more than Catherine--
- Shit.
- What?
- He has it with him.
- What?!
- I...
- I'm heading back down.
- Yeah but what about-
- Head for the rendezvous.
Stick to the plan.
- Michael's on his way.
- Okay, tell him to hurry.
(phone beeps)
- Come on.
(tense dramatic music)
(tense dramatic music continues)
(door creaks)
(tense dramatic music continues)
(footsteps tapping)
(tense dramatic music continues)
(door creaks)
- You're sure he's got it?
- Yeah, it's in his pocket.
- [Harrington] You're absolutely certain?
- Yes!
- It's time the Chief saw Harrington.
- What?
- Be ready.
- Wh- what are you doing?
- [Harrington] Damian, can I have a word?
- Michael, you old embuggerance.
I don't suppose you've had
a change of heart, have you?
- No, I'm afraid not.
(fist thuds)
(crowd chattering indistinctly)
(Damian groans)
Bang goes the knighthood.
(gentle suspenseful music)
- You...!
(footsteps tapping)
- [Abi] Wh- where's Michael?
- Taking one for the team, come on.
(gentle suspenseful music continues)
(footsteps tapping)
- In the Strangers Bar?
You're kidding.
Who?
(footsteps tapping)
(envelope clangs)
(gentle suspenseful music continues)
- I'll fucking finish
you for this, Harrington.
- Let me know when you
do, I'd hate to miss it.
- Oh, you don't think
I've got more on you?
I own every shithead in this place!
- No you don't.
(gentle suspenseful music continues)
- Fuck off!
Just fuck off.
(gentle suspenseful music continues)
(gentle suspenseful music continues)
It was on my person, I was assaulted,
and I was robbed, okay?
- Oh.
- It's a little black book,
and I cannot stress to you the importance
that it does not leave this
building, do you understand?
- I absolutely do understand, Mr. Wilson.
What would you like me to do about it?
Because we can't search everyone
as they leave the building.
(gentle suspenseful music continues)
(helicopter passing overhead)
(gentle suspenseful music fades)
(birds chirping)
(bright lively music)
(machine whirring)
(gentle melancholic music)
(door creaks)
- [Coworker] Package for you, Laura.
- Thanks.
(gentle melancholic music continues)
(gentle melancholic music continues)
(crowd cheering)
(notification chimes)
(paper rustling)
(switch clicks)
(footsteps tapping)
(switch clicks)
- Whatever you're doing, cancel it.
I've got something huge.
(footsteps tapping)
- Well Martin, it's been an
absolutely seismic day here
in Westminster and while some
had anticipated fireworks,
what they got was full blown chaos.
Events first took a
dramatic turn at lunchtime,
when a disability campaign
group brought the building
to a standstill with protests.
But it was when a fight broke out
between two prominent MPs shortly after,
that the sitting of parliament
itself was suspended
to allow law enforcement
to question those involved.
And tonight, in further developments,
sources are claiming that a
technical outage may have led
to a lack of CCTV footage
of the altercation,
which will no doubt
fuel further conspiracy.
So, where does that leave
the government's much touted
Independence Credit bill?
With today's vote postponed,
it seems unlikely that
they'll get another go
before next week's by-election,
leaving the government,
and its flagship policy,
on very shaky ground.
(gentle melancholic music fades)
(suspenseful classical music)
(suspenseful classical music continues)
(suspenseful classical music continues)
(suspenseful classical music continues)
(suspenseful classical music continues)
(suspenseful classical music continues)
(suspenseful classical music fades)
(sword zings)
(bell rings)
(gentle pensive music)
(spirited upbeat music)
- The government has lost its majority
in the House of Commons
in the wake of the Wrexham by-election.
Independent candidate Sarah
Davies unseated Edmund Hogg
following a conviction for
expenses fraud in November,
further fueling speculation
that a snap general election
may now be imminent.
It comes as a huge blow as
the government continues
to deal with fallout
from the leak of a supposed "dirt book,"
which today claimed another casualty,
the recently appointed Trade
Secretary, Mark Compton.
It's alleged that in 2007,
Mr. Compton whilst manager
of a bedroom furnishings company,
made inappropriate advances
towards a female employee.
In a statement, Mr. Compton
said that the allegations
were a source of deep, personal regret
before going on to add that he
no longer sells mattresses.
(upbeat classical music)
(upbeat classical music continues)
(upbeat classical music continues)
(upbeat classical music continues)
(upbeat classical music continues)
(upbeat classical music continues)
(upbeat classical music continues)
(upbeat classical music continues)
(upbeat classical music fades)
(bell dings)