by Max Barry

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Region: Pax Britannia

DAILY HERALD
7.9.1957

PM’s Secretary in Exclusive Interview - Secrets of Downing Street Brought to Light

After stepping in as the successor of Winston Churchill, who served as the prime minister from 1946 to 1950, former minister of the exchequer Brograve Beauchamp brought a lot of his own staff to Downing Street to help him lead the nation. Among that staff was Mariella Pilkington, a journalism student who had been doing an internship as a correspondent at the exchequer and was surprisingly hired as a press assistant.

Ms Pilkington, why was a 22-year-old student hired as a full-time staff member of the British ministry of finance?

“Officially, they said that I was quick and witty with the pen and would bring new winds to the public relations of the ministry. In a way, that makes sense, as the press image of the exchequer was previously quite stale and sterile. However, I personally think my youth and looks had something to do with it as well.”

With the resignation of Mr Churchill, minister Beauchamp was selected as the new leader of the federal government. He quickly filled key positions of the Downing Street staff with his former employees from the exchequer. Nominally, the jobs were offered to be voluntarily accepted, but many have said that declination would have meant professional suicide.

Ms Pilkington, why did such an experienced politician choose to bring a dozen exchequer employees to the office of the federal prime minister?

“Like everyone else, Mr Beauchamp was deeply upset by Mr Churchill’s stroke and following resignation. We knew that those were massive boots he would have to fill. Even though he is experienced, the federal government is such a web that it requires highly loyal helpers and personal connections. Many of the staff he brought in were young women like myself, but that can be just a coincidence.”

Ms Pilkington grew up and was educated in Bexleyheath, Ham. Her father works as a printer in the Daily Herald and her mother sells souvenirs by the Bank. For any woman from these origins, becoming the prime minister’s personal secretary is quite an achievement. However, you secured this position in 1952, at the age of 26. Why do you think that is?

“Well, after Mr Beauchamp's tax irregularities were exposed earlier that year, he performed something of a “purge” on Downing Street, and many faithful employees who he suspected of having exposed him had to go. That included his former secretary, also a young, attractive lady. I had always supported Mr Beauchamp, and he saw I was the only suitable candidate for the job. I had all the qualifications: shorthand, stenotype, intricate knowledge of the workings of the government, and as an avid hurdler I had been keeping myself fit.”

What was life like on Downing Street after that?

“Well, Mr Beauchamp became increasingly more paranoid and saw political enemies everywhere. The situation became easier for a while after the 1954 election, as he got to reshuffle the federal government and fill the ministries with his puppets. But soon his paranoia became even worse. He even suspected his own family and ordered his wife to move back to their personal residence, giving him the freedom to do whatever he wanted on Downing Street. They rarely saw each other and even then only for dinner or tea.”

So, the prime minister must have filled his personal needs some other way?

“Obviously, his office was filled with young, ambitious women who were willing to please him in any possible way in order to further their career. Of course, I did not partake as my career was already at its peak. It only seems that nothing was enough for Mr Beauchamp. He was never happy, never showed any determination to his work, and he had constant problems with mental health, which was not helped by his excessive drinking.”

Would you say Mr Beauchamp had an alcohol problem?

“Had and still has. If I’d have to guess, he is currently going through his second bottle of sherry for the day, and it’s only lunchtime. He has managed to keep it under control enough to conceal it from the cabinet and the general public, but life on Downing Street is constantly marked by the attempts to keep the prime minister from falling to permanent delirium. His doctor visited the office weekly and tried to talk sense to him, as did we, but he refused to listen and kept on drinking more and more. As you have probably noticed, his public appearances have become rarer and rarer, and sherry is the main reason.”

Thank you for the interview, Mariella Pilkington, secretary of the prime minister. For your final statement, you wanted to send a message to the people of Britannia?

“Yes. If your friend, family member, or colleague suffers from alcoholism, do not be afraid to confront them about it. You may well save their life by getting them help. It is a dangerous disease and must be treated as soon as possible. Thank you.”

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