Raymond Gould
Encyclopedia
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 intellectual from a blue-collar background, reluctantly married when his girlfriend Joyce got pregnant. She miscarried not long after the wedding. Although she always loved him, Gould was bored and resentful of Joyce. He became active in politics, in part, as a way of escaping life at home, but mostly because of his childhood desire to bring about increased pensions for war widows (inspired by his grandmother, the impoverished widow of a soldier). Gould was repeatedly unfaithful to Joyce. He once visited a prostitute (fortunately, he avoided the scandal he was sure would result when he rejected the prostitute's blackmail
threat), had an affair with a female barrister
, and carried on a long-term affair with a vivacious American businesswoman. Gould was a barrister, who steadily made his way up the ranks to be appointed one of the youngest Queen's Counsel
in the country.
Gould rose steadily through the Labour Party, making a name for himself as a highly capable administrator and an expert on economic theory. He served brilliantly as Chancellor of the Exchequer
. At the peak of his career, Gould's biggest political rivals were Conservative front-benchers Simon Kerslake
and Charles Gurney Seymour
. The novel culminates in an extremely close general election in 1991 (it was published in 1984).
Gould became Prime Minister
in the original British edition of the novel, as well as the ITV television adaptation which ends with King Charles III
inviting him to Buckingham Palace
and asking him to form a government. However, in the U.S. edition, Kerslake becomes Prime Minister.
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...
politician, representing the Leeds North constituency, who served under Prime Ministers Harold Wilson
Harold Wilson
James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
and James Callaghan
James Callaghan
Leonard James Callaghan, Baron Callaghan of Cardiff, KG, PC , was a British Labour politician, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1976 to 1980...
.
Gould, a red-haired intellectual from a blue-collar background, reluctantly married when his girlfriend Joyce got pregnant. She miscarried not long after the wedding. Although she always loved him, Gould was bored and resentful of Joyce. He became active in politics, in part, as a way of escaping life at home, but mostly because of his childhood desire to bring about increased pensions for war widows (inspired by his grandmother, the impoverished widow of a soldier). Gould was repeatedly unfaithful to Joyce. He once visited a prostitute (fortunately, he avoided the scandal he was sure would result when he rejected the prostitute's blackmail
Blackmail
In common usage, blackmail is a crime involving threats to reveal substantially true or false information about a person to the public, a family member, or associates unless a demand is met. It may be defined as coercion involving threats of physical harm, threat of criminal prosecution, or threats...
threat), had an affair with a female barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
, and carried on a long-term affair with a vivacious American businesswoman. Gould was a barrister, who steadily made his way up the ranks to be appointed one of the youngest Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
in the country.
Gould rose steadily through the Labour Party, making a name for himself as a highly capable administrator and an expert on economic theory. He served brilliantly as Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called the Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the...
. At the peak of his career, Gould's biggest political rivals were Conservative front-benchers 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...
and Charles Gurney Seymour
Charles Gurney Seymour
The Honourable Charles Gurney Seymour, 1st Viscount Seymour of the Downs, is a fictional character in the political novel First Among Equals, by Jeffrey Archer. When the novel was first published in the United States, the character's name was altered to "Charles Gurney Hampton".He is the second son...
. The novel culminates in an extremely close general election in 1991 (it was published in 1984).
Gould became Prime Minister
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...
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 him 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.