Table talk

If only a modern-day Creevey had been available to record the table talk at the Queen's dinner for former prime ministers and their families yesterday evening. What one wonders, did Cherie Blair (1997 to the present) and Clarissa Eden, the 82-year-old widow of Sir Anthony Eden (1955-57), find to gossip about? Was Denis Thatcher able to overcome a loathing of Sir Edward Heath (1970-74) that surpasses even that felt by Lady Thatcher (1979-90)? Did Lady Wilson, widow of Harold (1964-70, 1974-76), strive to find out from Lord Callaghan (1976-79) if the latter really did plot to oust her husband from his job?

Sadly, the chances are that traditional conventions of secrecy will be enforced, as they have been for all prime ministerial audiences with the Queen over the past half-century. The establishment may be hard to define, but when it is gathered together in such concentration, it is easy to spot.