The Servant

This book exposes the world of politics as entirely cynical and ruthless. Although written in general terms - as a sequel to Machiavelli's "The Prince" - the Prince is clearly Margaret Thatcher and the Servant McAlpine, the author, who was one of Thatcher's key advisers during her years in office. Lord McAlpine witnessed the application of political power during the 15 years Margaret Thatcher was leader of the Conservative Party and he was its Treasurer and Deputy Chairman. One of the Prime Minister's close personal advisers during three successful General Election Campaigns, he also observed innumerable battles within the cabinet and the Party. As Machiavelli's "The Prince" described a code of conduct for political leaders, so Alistair McAlpine explores the relationship between the Prince and his or her devoted aid - the Servant. The result is a guide on how to survive in a world of suspicion and envy, of strategic alliance and ruthless disinformation.
The book explains how to destroy an opponenet through promotion, and why your enemy can be relied on to give you the best advice; how to ensure a piece of news spreads (tell it to another in confidence), and why you must never let the Prince tell you a secret. The tale of Margaret Thatcher's eventual resignation is threaded through the book, which is dedicated to her by a Servant who feels she could and should have been better served.