Against the odds. My new Timeline.

August 16th 1971

He loved the feeling of just lying there, watching his lover sleep, content in himself that all was well with the world. It was a quiet Tuesday morning and little needed to be done until later in the day, and even then, who would notice? He felt a stirring, looking outside the window listening to birdsong. At this point, he nudged his lover over. “Jeremy” he whispered, quietly in his ear. “Jeremy, you’d best get up. You’re expected at the local party meeting.” “Not now“, Mr Thorpe snapped, leaning over, kissing the young man tenderly on the lips, and with a smile said "I have far too much to do here..”
 
The journalist in the flat across the street could barely believe his eyes. The very openness of it all. They hadn’t even bothered to draw the curtains. The photographs taken would be banned under the obscene publications act if he had even attempted to put them in the paper. It was all he needed though. Even without printing the pictures, it was the evidence that would bring down the political career of Jeremy Thorpe.
 
Difficult to see how much more scandal can abound in Thorpe's life, will be interested to see where you go with it.
 
Its not going to be clear straight away what my plan is here...I'm going to be jumping back and forward a few years with seperate stories. They will come together eventually though. First full installment will be up either tonight or tomorrow morning.
 
August 20th 1971

Jack Jones sat quietly on the park bench awaiting his contact. In his hands, he had the latest policy review on Defence from the Labour Party, a review which had not yet been published. His contact had made the offer a few years earlier, at a low time for the Trade Unionist, who had, in a temporary lapse of judgement allowed his own greed to get the better of him. He had handed over a policy document and had since been blackmailed into handing over further documents.

The Soviet Agent, who was sitting in a Mini-Metro just outside the park gate, looked in and felt what could only be described as a tinge of sympathy for the source in the park. Of course, the union leader had little choice over the matter, after all if he refused he would be unmasked as a traitor.
 
Meanwhile, a family, obviously taking advantage of the weather were in the park, taking the family dog for a walk. The children were fighting for the toy in the labradors mouth, and striking up silly poses. The man who was obviously the father was taking photographs of it all. Snap, snap, snap.

Jack Jones looked on oblivious.
 
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From the Ashes of Disaster to the Roses of Success. A history of the Liberal Party 1970-1980.Paddy Ashdown.1989 (Excerpts)

………… Jo Grimond made it clear that he never wanted the leadership in the long run, which only left four other Members who could take the position. Of these two candidates emerged. David Steel and John Pardoe. Pardoe was seen by many as a stable and safe pair of hands. He had experience in the Commons, but was damaged by his support of Thorpe before the resignation. Steel on the other hand was seen as a break from the past and a signal that the Liberal Party was beginning to look towards the future……….Steels campaign was excellent from the outset and his victory was only surprising in its size. He was in many respects a lucky leader at this point as he had years before the next election was expected in which he could attempt to rebuild the Liberal Party in a bid to make it successful going forward..
 
So. A, we've got a trade union guy working for the KGB, and a new man at the helm of the Liberal Party. Anything else?
I'm building up to it...:p

And this won't be the last you hear of Jack Jones in this timeline. There are going to be several tales which eventually link together.
 

MrP

Banned
Paddy Ashdown writing in '89 a history of the Liberals which covers only ten years, eh? So becoming the Lib Dems in '80/'81, and without Ashdown taking the leadership in '88 - unless he's a swift writer indeed! Does he remain with MI6/the diplomatic service?
 
Paddy Ashdown writing in '89 a history of the Liberals which covers only ten years, eh? So becoming the Lib Dems in '80/'81, and without Ashdown taking the leadership in '88 - unless he's a swift writer indeed! Does he remain with MI6/the diplomatic service?
All I will say is he enters politics later than in otl.
 
I'm going to start this again shortly. Just realised that the main figure in my plans for this timeline was not in a position to do what I planned....Some more planning that v.2........
 
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