Andrew Fraser (First Among Equals)
Encyclopedia
Andrew Fraser is a fictional character
in the political novel First Among Equals, by Jeffrey Archer. He is a British politician of the Labour Party
, representing the Edinburgh Carlton constituency, and later the Social Democratic Party
(SDP).
Fraser was the son of a Scottish Conservative
politician, but turned to moderate Labour politics as a young man. He married his wife Louise after falling in love at first sight (and dumping his longtime girlfriend immediately, resulting in him being denied the chance to serve as Parliamentary Private Secretary to her father, the then-Minister of State for Scotland). Louise suffered a miscarriage and the death of their two-day-old daughter during their marriage. They had one healthy child, Robert, who was run down by a car and killed; Louise lost the power of speech for a time as a result. They later adopted their daughter Clarissa.
Fraser's career in the Labour Party was cut short when he found his party to be swinging towards much more leftist stance that neither Andrew nor many of his fellow party-members shared, which was aggravated by his local party committee deselecting him from his Edinburgh
constituency, replacing him with the far-left activist Frank Boyle. At the ensuing general election, Fraser stood as the SDP candidate, and tied with Boyle for votes (something which has never, in reality, happened in British parliamentary elections). This required the Returning Officer
to decide between them by tossing a coin. Fraser correctly called 'tails' and was returned to the House of Commons
.
The novel culminates in an extremely close general election in 1991 (it was published in 1984). By this time, Fraser is the leader of the SDP, which holds the balance of power
in a hung parliament
. His fellow SDP MPs are evenly split on which of the two main party leaders, Raymond Gould
of Labour and Simon Kerslake
of the Conservatives, to endorse as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
. They leave the decision to Fraser personally.
Fraser endorses Gould in the original British edition of the novel, as well as the ITV television adaptation which ends with King Charles III
inviting Gould to Buckingham Palace
and asking him to form a government. However, in the U.S. edition, Kerslake becomes Prime Minister.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the political novel First Among Equals, by Jeffrey Archer. He is a British politician of the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
, representing the Edinburgh Carlton constituency, and later the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (UK)
The Social Democratic Party was a political party in the United Kingdom that was created on 26 March 1981 and existed until 1988. It was founded by four senior Labour Party 'moderates', dubbed the 'Gang of Four': Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams...
(SDP).
Fraser was the son of a Scottish Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician, but turned to moderate Labour politics as a young man. He married his wife Louise after falling in love at first sight (and dumping his longtime girlfriend immediately, resulting in him being denied the chance to serve as Parliamentary Private Secretary to her father, the then-Minister of State for Scotland). Louise suffered a miscarriage and the death of their two-day-old daughter during their marriage. They had one healthy child, Robert, who was run down by a car and killed; Louise lost the power of speech for a time as a result. They later adopted their daughter Clarissa.
Fraser's career in the Labour Party was cut short when he found his party to be swinging towards much more leftist stance that neither Andrew nor many of his fellow party-members shared, which was aggravated by his local party committee deselecting him from his Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
constituency, replacing him with the far-left activist Frank Boyle. At the ensuing general election, Fraser stood as the SDP candidate, and tied with Boyle for votes (something which has never, in reality, happened in British parliamentary elections). This required the Returning Officer
Returning Officer
In various parliamentary systems, a returning officer is responsible for overseeing elections in one or more constituencies.-Australia:In Australia a returning officer is an employee of the Australian Electoral Commission or a State Electoral Commission who heads the local divisional office...
to decide between them by tossing a coin. Fraser correctly called 'tails' and was returned to the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
.
The novel culminates in an extremely close general election in 1991 (it was published in 1984). By this time, Fraser is the leader of the SDP, which holds the balance of power
Balance of power (parliament)
In parliamentary politics, the term balance of power sometimes describes the pragmatic mechanism exercised by a minor political party or other grouping whose guaranteed support may enable an otherwise minority government to obtain and hold office...
in a hung parliament
Hung parliament
In a two-party parliamentary system of government, a hung parliament occurs when neither major political party has an absolute majority of seats in the parliament . It is also less commonly known as a balanced parliament or a legislature under no overall control...
. His fellow SDP MPs are evenly split on which of the two main party leaders, Raymond Gould
Raymond Gould
The Rt. Hon Raymond Gould QC MP is a fictional character in the political novel First Among Equals, by Jeffrey Archer. He is a British Labour Party politician, representing the Leeds North constituency, who served under Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and James Callaghan.Gould, a red-haired...
of Labour and Simon Kerslake
Simon Kerslake
Simon Kerslake is a fictional character in the political novel First Among Equals, by Jeffrey Archer. He is a British Conservative Party politician, representing the Coventry Central and later Pucklebridge constituencies, who served under Prime Ministers Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher.There...
of the Conservatives, to endorse as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
. They leave the decision to Fraser personally.
Fraser endorses Gould in the original British edition of the novel, as well as the ITV television adaptation which ends with King Charles III
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
inviting Gould to Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
and asking him to form a government. However, in the U.S. edition, Kerslake becomes Prime Minister.