A scene from “Unfinished Business”

Harold Macmillan: I hope you haven't come to dissuade me. The situation is quite hopeless.

Queen Elizabeth II: That's not my understanding. The doctors told me that the tumor was benign.

Harold Macmillan: It was the size of an orange.

Queen Elizabeth II: While that causes inconvenience and discomfort that largely...

Harold Macmillan: I'll still require a long period of convalescence, not be in a fit state to undertake the arduous duties as PM. I'm afraid my decision to resign is final.

Queen Elizabeth II: That's very disappointing, especially after our conversation.

Harold Macmillan: As to who should succeed me, as sovereign you have the prerogative to consult, but there's only one man, in my opinion. The Earl of Home.

Queen Elizabeth II: Alec? Yes, we're all very fond of him, but...

Harold Macmillan: He's the right man. A decade younger than me, steel painted as wood, and the old governing class at its best. I would call Alec to the palace right away, ma'am. No sense dragging things out.

Queen Elizabeth II: Is that an order, Mr. Macmillan?

Harold Macmillan: It would be my advice, ma'am.

Queen Elizabeth II: Do you know, I've been Queen barely ten years. And in that time, I've had three Prime Ministers. All of them ambitious men. Clever men. Brilliant men. Not one has lasted the course. They've either been too old, too ill, or too weak. A confederacy of elected quitters.