Working-class, left-leaning Harry Perkins is elected Britain's prime minister. As he works to implement social change through the democratic process, the conservatives and their allies quietly begin working to remove him from power. Perkins' goals include nuclear disarmament, the dissolution of newspaper monopolies, open government and the closure of all U.S. military bases on UK soil. While many members of the govnerment oppose him, he finds some support in Home Secretary Joan Cook and key members of his staff.The miniseries is based upon the novel by British politician Chris Mullin.