Collinson seeks out the political limelight, but Alice finds his renewed political ambitions difficult to come to terms with. Meanwhile, in the constituency there is a growing feeling that a clash is inevitable.

As Collinson concentrates on the intensifying common market campaign, he is almost taken unawares by events in his constituency. Then at a routine political meeting, he meets a young university teacher. Her name is Millie Dutton...

While Collinson awaits the outcome of a cabinet reshuffle that will decide his political future, Alice living apart from him, is expecting a visit from her friend, novelist Brian Griffin,

It's more that two months since Chris and Alice Collinson have seen each other; a long standing engagement now brings them into contact. It's not the only confrontation in store for Collinson, as the antagonism between himself and Ron Hibbert takes a new and unexpected turn.

Bernard King, local party chairman, attempts to heal the growing rift between Collinson and his opposition. Criticism of his conduct as an MP reaches a peak, and the confrontation between himself and Ron Hibbert comes to a climax.

"My error...has been my scepticism. I've not believed in politics as a way of life." An admission that led Christopher Collinson into a battle in his constituency - a battle that he thought he had won. But has he? Menwhile, on the eve of the party conference, there is an uneasy alliance between Collinson and his wife....