Nick Hopkins, the policeman on duty outside 10 Downing Street was wet, cold and miserable.He had been doing everything he could to keep warm but it felt as though he was going to turn into a statue.
He looked up and down the famous street and it was deserted. He smiled to himself thinking of the irony. The most famous street in Britain was empty at a time when all of the country was going to wonder who was going to be there.
He'd been listening to the BBC news on Radio 4 about the incredible election results that had been going on throughout the night. Labour were the largest party in the commons but hadn't got an overall majority. Ted Heath had returned to Downing Street a few hours before not saying a word.
"miserable old sod" thought the officer. Maybe if Wilson came back things would be better. According to colleagues Wilson was a laugh.
Big Ben struck 5 AM and the the officer thought "nearly there" His shift ended at 5.30 and he'd be going home.
Thought of a bath and a few hours sleep were suddenly interrupted by an almighty rumbling noise. Hopkins immediately thought it was an IRA bomb. He turned and rang the bell to be let in when he noticed the rumbling was continuing...not only that it was getting louder.
Hopkins looked down the street. He had to be seeing things surely. There was a tank coming down Downing Street.
He looked up and down the famous street and it was deserted. He smiled to himself thinking of the irony. The most famous street in Britain was empty at a time when all of the country was going to wonder who was going to be there.
He'd been listening to the BBC news on Radio 4 about the incredible election results that had been going on throughout the night. Labour were the largest party in the commons but hadn't got an overall majority. Ted Heath had returned to Downing Street a few hours before not saying a word.
"miserable old sod" thought the officer. Maybe if Wilson came back things would be better. According to colleagues Wilson was a laugh.
Big Ben struck 5 AM and the the officer thought "nearly there" His shift ended at 5.30 and he'd be going home.
Thought of a bath and a few hours sleep were suddenly interrupted by an almighty rumbling noise. Hopkins immediately thought it was an IRA bomb. He turned and rang the bell to be let in when he noticed the rumbling was continuing...not only that it was getting louder.
Hopkins looked down the street. He had to be seeing things surely. There was a tank coming down Downing Street.