Walter Harrison

Walter Harrison is the closest thing the play has to a protagonist, embodying the relentless determination and ingenuity required to keep a struggling government afloat. As Labour’s Deputy Chief Whip, he is portrayed as being one step ahead of everyone else, constantly thinking on his feet and using every tool at his disposal to secure votes. His ability to forge relationships is one of his greatest strengths, whether it is through persuasion, intimidation, or sheer force of will. Unlike some of his colleagues, who focus on political maneuvering within Westminster, Harrison understands the importance of personal connections and informal networks. His tactic of speaking to the drivers, for example, gives him access to crucial information that others overlook, demonstrating his instinct for politics as a game of human relationships rather than just ideology.

One of the most memorable moments in the play is Harrison literally carrying...