The Big Fumble

Professor Clifford Conquest is the Vice-Chancellor of University London Central, fighting to keep the Centre Left's intellectual stronghold from becoming a plaything of the Right. He faces opposition from the Rising Left, who want to displace the Centre Left and regard universities as their intellectual stronghold. Conquest's ambitions for The New University are renewed when a magnetic couple from the world of cinema attend Graduation Day, but complications arise, including a student's death and a literary endowment causing strife. Can Conquest fight off the doctrinaire forces of the Rising Left and out-connive the connivers? Even in his darkest hour, there are glimpses of stardust and ideals to guide him onwards.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 28 May 2022
Publisher: Troubador Publishing

Vice-Chancellor Professor Clifford Conquest is one year into the task of putting University London Central back on its feet, battling those who defraud his students of the education they deserve. His political star is in the ascendant, and his ambition to be an important figure of the Centre Left in a reformed Labour party comes closer. However, his aim is threatened by the forces of the Rising Left, not least on his governing body, bent on displacing the Centre Left. Both factions regard universities as their intellectual stronghold in danger of becoming a plaything of the Right.

When a magnetic couple from the world of cinema attend Graduation Day, Conquest's ambitions for The New University are given renewed impetus. Complications are rife. A student comes to a sticky end, raising questions about the university's ability to assess risk. A literary endowment causes strife. The value of arcane research fields is called into question, and professors revolt. Can Conquest fight off the doctrinaire forces of the Rising Left determined to derail his ambitions? Like any Public Sector samurai, he dons a fresh suit and takes the fight to his enemies.

Will Higher Education be reborn? Can he out-connive the connivers? Do the polemical hardliners out-fox him? Even in his darkest hour, there are glimpses of stardust; ideals to guide him onwards. For one driven by the highest motives, success is truly glorious, even if threatened by the occasional fumble!

Weight: 248g
Dimension: 197 x 130 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803132341