Francis Urquehart is looking for a place in history as the longest serving Prime Minister. He has ruthlessly overcome all obstacles so far so nothing should stop him, but he is beginning to have troubling dreams about his past.

Urquhart makes Claire his private secretary but is this wise considering her passionate relationship with his rival, Makepeace?

Urquhart's support is ebbing; even his foreign policy success can't save him. Then he has the most brilliant, ruthless idea of his life.

The situation in Cyprus escalates quickly into tragedy. Urquhart's strong-arm tactics have backfired and surely this time there is no way out for the Prime Minister?