House of Cards (TV Mini Series)

Chapter One (1990)

Ian Richardson: Francis Urquhart

Photos 

Quotes 

• Francis Urquhart : [Looking at a picture of Margaret Thatcher]  Nothing lasts for ever. Even the longest, most glittering reign must come to an end some day.

• Francis Urquhart : Beware of an old man in a hurry. Have you heard that phrase, Mattie?

  Mattie Storin : Lord Billsborough. But he's Collingridge's closest advisor. Surely he can't still think he can be party leader, not at his age. Not from the Lords.

  Francis Urquhart : So...

  Mattie Storin : He doesn't want it for himself. He wants to pull the stings. He wants the party leadership for one of his protégés.

  Francis Urquhart : You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment.

  Mattie Storin : Michael Samuels.

  Francis Urquhart : [nodding]  You might think that.

  Mattie Storin : Lord Billsborough is setting up Collingridge as an Aunt Sally so that Michael Samuels can take his place when the time comes.

  Mattie Storin : You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment.

• Mattie Storin : Two major leaks in less than a month. Where are they from?

  Francis Urquhart : I don't know, my dear. I'm responsible for the backbenchers, not the Cabinet. Though I dare say I'll be asked to find out.

  Mattie Storin : The leaks are coming out of the Cabinet? And the Prime Minister is ordering an investigation into his own closest colleagues.

  Francis Urquhart : You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment.

• Francis Urquhart : [after dismissing Stoat]  What a repulsive little man. Where do they find them these days?

  Tim Stamper : I don't know. If I had a dog like that I'd shoot it.

  Francis Urquhart : Well, yes, quite.

• Francis Urquhart : Well, yes, my wife is very loyal. A politician needs a wife - and other people, too, regrettably. A man of state needs helpers, little elves and sprites to do his bidding. Even unwitting pawns who don't know who they serve.

• Francis Urquhart : Oh, I'm just the Chief Whip, Mattie. My personal feelings are neither here nor there. I look after morale and discipline amongst the back-benchers, keep them up to the mark, listen to their problems, help them out when I can, administer some sharp kicks up the backside when that seems indicated.

  Mattie Storin : Just like a prefect, head of house sort of thing... I'm sorry, that sounds very cheeky.

  Francis Urquhart : Not at all. That's exactly what it's like.

  Mattie Storin : Everyone says you're very good at it.

  Francis Urquhart : I believe I am, Mattie. I believe I am.

• Francis Urquhart : £22,370 in the last ten months, I make it. Here we are.

  [passes a piece of paper to Roger] 

  Francis Urquhart : Have a look at the figures. Might be slightly out, but not by more than a tenner or so. Bit steep for a few lunches, wouldn't you say?

  Roger O'Neill : It's all...

  [sneezes twice] 

  Francis Urquhart : Cocaine is awfully expensive stuff, isn't it? Is it worth it? They say it makes a good man brilliant. If that's so, you must be a genius.

• Francis Urquhart : I know what we should do: write off the money as a bad debt and toss you overboard.

• Francis Urquhart : [to a backbencher]  Take yourself off and try not to be such a damned fool. And if you must use whores, for God's sake go to a decent knocking shop where they understand the meaning of discretion.

• Francis Urquhart : That woman said I should be Prime Minister... Glamis, and Cawdor, and King hereafter.

• Francis Urquhart : Nothing lasts forever. Even the longest, the most glittering reign must come to an end someday.

• Francis Urquhart : [aside]  A politician needs a wife, and other people too regrettably. Little elves and sprites to do his bidding, even unwitting pawns who don't know who they serve... and of course one needs a sympathetic ear amongst the men and women of the press, those valiant seekers of the truth.

• Francis Urquhart : [Holding a copy of The Chronicle while on phone to PM]  No Prime Minister, I haven't seen the papers.

• Francis Urquhart : Interesting girl. Clever.

  Elizabeth Urquhart : Not too clever?

  Francis Urquhart : No. Just clever enough, I'd say.

  Elizabeth Urquhart : She could be just the little friend you need. A political journalist with her way to make, I mean.

• Francis Urquhart : Who could replace her? Plenty of contenders. Old warriors, young pretenders. Lord Billsborough, say - party chairman, too old and too familiar, tainted by a thousand shabby deals. Michael Samuels - too young and too clever. Patrick Woolton - bit of a lout, bit of a bully-boy. Yes, it could well be Woolton. Henry Collingridge - the people's favourite, a well-meaning fool, no background and no bottom. What, me? Oh, no no no. I'm the Chief Whip, merely a functionary. I keep the troops in line. I put a bit of stick about. I make them jump. And I shall, of course, give my absolute loyalty to whoever emerges as my leader.

• Francis Urquhart : Beware of an old man in a hurry.