Not for the first time, Jim Hacker is experiencing problems with local government. He bemoans the fact that councillors are elected by 25% of the population, who base their choice on the performance of the national government, and, once installed, spend four years on a "subsidised ego trip". During this time, the Prime Minister argues, everything they do is counterproductive and he gets the blame for it.

One such local representative who is causing him particular grief is Agnes Moorhouse, the leader of Houndsworth Council. She is refusing to abide by the law and provide her residents with an efficient police force on the grounds that the force will not be adequate until 50% of its officers are black. She also wants to restrict police movements, even introducing no-go areas in which they will be banned from entering. Hacker needs her to toe the line, but as it can't be a political confrontation, he suggests that one of his officials should deal with it. Since Sir Humphrey Appleby is in charge of co-ordinating the security services, the PM gives him the job — and he is alarmed at the prospect.

Sir Humphrey meets with Ms Moorhouse in the Cabinet Office, and his fears are justified. She is extremely combative and more than a match for the Cabinet Secretary's usually suave modus operandi. The councillor has strongly held views on how Britain should be run, which are contrary to everything that Sir Humphrey holds sacred. They include the abolition of Parliament, the courts and the monarchy, and radical reforms to alleviate poverty. She pointedly asks Sir Humphrey the costs of certain everyday items, which he struggles to answer. She suggests that part of his substantial salary goes towards helping the needy, and he is speechless. It becomes clear that undermining the police is just part of a plan to increase violence and bring about revolution.

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Wikipedia