First Among Equals - books

two front benches. Charles was surprised at how small the
chamber was in
reality: the Government and Opposition benches faced each
other a mere
sword's length apart. Charles recalled that historically
a sword's length
had once insufed the safety of those bitter rivals who
sat opposite each
other.
Leaving his sponsors in his wake, he passed down the
long table, stepping
over the legs of the Prime Minister and the Foreign
Secretary before being
handed the oath by the Clerk of the House.
He held the little card in his right hand and pronounced
the words as
firmly as if they had been his marriage vows.
"l,Charles Hampton, do swear that I will be faithful,
and bear true
allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and
successors
according to law, so help me God."
"Hear, hear," rose from his colleagues as the new member
ofParliamerit
leaned over to inscribe the Test Roll, a parchment
folded into book shape.
Charles proceeded toward the Speaker's chair, when he
stopped and bowed.
"Welcome to the House, Mr. Hampton," said the Speaker,
shaking his hand. "I
hope you will serve this place for many years to come."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker," said Charles, and bowed for a
final time before
continuing on to the small area behind the Speaker's
chair. He had carried
out the little ceremony exactly as the Tory Chief Whip
had rehearsed it
with him in the long corridor outside his office.
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FIRST AMONG EQUALS
"Congratulations on your splendid victory, Charles,"
said the former Prime