PART ONE

PUTTING OUT FIRE WITH GASOLINE

1979–83

I see no chance of your bright new tomorrow.

The Beat, ‘Stand Down Margaret’ (1980)

BARRY: I blame Thatcherism, you know. Yeah, it’s a misguided policy. It’s totally misguided and misconstrued. Mind you, the Labour Party’s in such disarray, I don’t think the opposition offers much alternative or consolation, does it?

Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983)

MORGUS: The stews of the cities are full of such unemployed riff-raff.

PRESIDENT: Most of them unemployed, Trau Morgus, because you have closed so many plants. It’s caused great unrest.

Robert Holmes, Doctor Who (1984)