Number Ten (novel)
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| Number Ten | |
| Author | Sue Townsend |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Publication date | 2002 |
Number Ten is a 2002 novel by Sue Townsend, about the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (Edward Clare) attempting to take an incognito holiday with his bodyguard, Jack Sprat - in order to discover what the public truly thinks of him and his time in office - and the consequences that ensue for both men and their country. It is frequently satirical of then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, his family and his Cabinet.
[edit] Plot summary
Number Ten is a fairly obvious parody of Tony Blair, featuring a Prime Minister with a Scottish Chancellor desperately seeking his job. The main character, Edward Clare, is the Prime Minister, and the story shows what happens during what become his final days in office.
After being humiliated in the House of Commons after it is revealed that he hadn’t been on a train for ten years, Edward decides to tour the country, in order to discover the essence of the British public, and more importantly their opinions of him. However, as he is obviously too recognisable, Edward needs a disguise. He decides to dress up in his wife’s clothes, and with the assistance of policeman Jack Sprat, ‘Edwina’ tours the country.
During the book, we discover hidden facts about Edward, about his mother, and that his father is actually a Slovakian asylum seeker. We also follow the story of Jack’s mother, as she mentally battles against a cocaine dealer who takes residence in and eventually takes over her house.
Edward begins his quest in Leeds, and travels to Birmingham and Manchester by hitchhiking. After a lorry driver tries to rape Edwina, Edward has to go through the procedures of police questioning. After escaping unscathed, Edward and Jack decide to go to Edinburgh, the place of Edward’s birth (another comparison with Blair). Jack wishes to use train travel, but after they are pronounced ‘ghastly’ by Edward, they take a taxi. The taxi driver, Ali, has strong political beliefs, most of which revolve around the resignation of Edward Clare. Edward then suffers a sudden illness, and is forced to stay in hospital. However, he escapes, when one doctor discovers his true identity. They conclude by arriving at the Sprat household, just as Jack's mother is about to be killed by James, the crack cocaine dealer.
The book ends as Peter, Jack's mother's budgie flies into Trafalgar Square, to be eaten by the larger birds. Edward is no longer the Prime Minister; Chancellor Malcolm Black has become the Prime Minister, much to the delight of Clare's family.
