AN UNEXPECTED SAVIOUR

Provocative and fast-paced, 30th State imagines a broken Britain seeking urgent assistance from its former colony, India

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In the commons chamber, the prime minister was on his feet. He'd drained his first glass of water in one gulp. A colleague was refilling it, but he hadn't the energy to look round to thank them.

'Madam speaker, I regret to inform the house that without further assistance, England will be unable to meet its international financial obligations – and our debts have been called in.'

Richardson took a moment. He could feel his words jar with the self-serving political brains in front of, and, more importantly, behind him. He wasn't yet prepared for the inevitable disregard for his statement, his leadership and himself. He reached for the glass. He stared down at it as it approached his mouth – the water shaking like the storm inside him.