Cleo Watson, once a key aide to Boris Johnson, found herself embroiled in the notorious “PartyGate” scandal, which saw government officials flouting lockdown rules. This controversy eventually led to Johnson’s resignation as Prime Minister. Watson has since turned her experiences into fiction, penning a provocative novel titled “Cleavage,” set within the tumultuous world of Conservative British politics. The book’s release is timely, coinciding with the lead-up to the July 4 election, where current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hopes to secure a win.
Watson’s novel, “Cleavage,” offers a candid look at a beleaguered Tory party on the brink of electoral defeat. This comes at a time when the Conservatives are eager to shed their image of scandal and impropriety. Watson’s work, however, pulls back the curtain on the very sleaze the party wishes to distance itself from. She joins a long tradition of Conservative figures who have ventured into writing fiction, often with a political twist.
In “Cleavage,” a fictional ex-Prime Minister, Lord Percy Cross, reads from his own risqué historical novel, “The Loin King.” The story features a Tudor king navigating political intrigue while entangled with “big-bushed stable girls.” The king’s quip about a plague in parliament—”the rats or the members?”—mirrors the biting satire Watson employs in her own writing. Percy claims his novel is a reflection of his time in Downing Street, likening it to a Tudor court.
Watson’s choice to set her novels, including “Whips” (2023), in the familiar territory of Westminster, mirrors her own professional background. Both books are rife with scandalous sexual escapades, from secret affairs between political rivals to a Prime Minister indulging in power-lifting pornography. The characters’ exploits are a thinly veiled critique of the real-life political figures Watson once worked alongside.
The tradition of British politicians writing scandalous fiction dates back to the 18th century. Matthew Lewis, for instance, is better remembered for his Gothic novel “The Monk” than his tenure as an MP. Conversely, the literary works of prominent political figures like Benjamin Disraeli and Winston Churchill have largely faded into obscurity.
The 20th century saw a merging of scandal and Conservative politics in popular fiction. Jeffrey Archer, a former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, is a prime example. Despite numerous scandals, including a prison sentence for perjury, Archer’s books have sold over 300 million copies worldwide. Boris Johnson also dabbled in fiction with his 2004 book “Seventy-Two Virgins,” which was released shortly before he was sacked for lying about an extramarital affair.
Other Tory figures have also ventured into fiction. Former MP Louise Mensch, writing as Louise Bagshawe, authored several racy novels. Iain Duncan Smith published a political thriller, “The Devil’s Tune,” in 2003, the same week he lost a vote of no confidence in his leadership. Even current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed admiration for Jilly Cooper, known for her “bonkbusters” featuring Tory characters.
The genre of “politico-bonkbusters” has notable predecessors, such as Edwina Currie. Her 1994 novel “A Parliamentary Affair” centers on a Tory MP’s affair with her whip, a storyline later revealed to mirror Currie’s own affair with John Major. Currie’s book highlights the hypocrisy within the Conservative Party, where characters who champion traditional values often fail to uphold them.
Both Currie and Watson were ousted from their positions in Tory governments. Watson resigned amid the chaos of Johnson’s premiership, while Currie was forced to step down due to a salmonella crisis. Their novels, while critical of the Conservative Party, also offer a vision of a more inclusive party, addressing the needs of women, minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Ultimately, these “politico-bonkbusters” reflect the Conservative Party’s ongoing struggle with scandal. Despite efforts to reform its image, the party remains entangled in controversy, a theme that continues to captivate both authors and readers alike.
