A scene from “Unfinished Business”

Margaret Thatcher: President Bush called to tell me he thought it barbaric. Chancellor Kohl said it was inhumane. Mikhail Gorbachev reminded me that ten years ago, it was Britain holding democratic elections whilst Russia staged cabinet coups. Now it's the other way round. What they all agree on is that getting rid of me is an act of national self-harm, which is why I've come to you, ma'am, that together we may act in the national self-interest.

Queen Elizabeth II: How might I help?

Margaret Thatcher: By dissolving Parliament.

Queen Elizabeth II: What?

Margaret Thatcher: We are on the brink of war. What kind of signal does that give to our enemies, to Saddam, if we were to change leadership now? It would make us look hopelessly weak and divided.

Queen Elizabeth II: I agree it's not ideal. Have you consulted Cabinet on this matter?

Margaret Thatcher: I have not, ma'am.

Queen Elizabeth II: Surely that would be the normal course of action?

Margaret Thatcher: With all due respect, the decision to dissolve Parliament is in the gift of the prime minister alone. It is entirely within my power to do this if I see fit.

Queen Elizabeth II: You are correct. Technically, it is within your power to request this. But we must all ask ourselves when to exercise those things that are within our power and when not to. Your first instinct as a person, I think, is often to act. To exercise power.

Margaret Thatcher: Well, that is what people want in a leader. To show conviction and strength. To lead.

Queen Elizabeth II: I'm merely asking the question. Whether it is correct to exercise a power simply because it is yours to use. Power is nothing without authority. And at this moment, your Cabinet is against you. Your party is against you. And if the polls are to be believed, if you were to call a general election today, you would not win. Which suggests the country is against you. Perhaps the time has come for you to try doing nothing for once.

Margaret Thatcher: The difference is you have power in doing nothing. I will have nothing.

Queen Elizabeth II: You will have your dignity.

Margaret Thatcher: There is no dignity in the wilderness.

Queen Elizabeth II: Then might I suggest you don't think of it as that. Think of it as an opportunity to pursue other passions.

Margaret Thatcher: I have other loves. My husband, my children ... But this job is my only true passion. And to have it taken from me, stolen from me so cruelly ... What hurts the most is that we had come so far. And now to have the opportunity to finish the job snatched away at the very last ...