Shine on Harvey Moon

As local elections loom, Harvey puts his name forward as a Labour candidate, while Maggie pursues free suits from a suitor who offers them. The plot is presented as a light‑hearted comedy, with Kenneth Cranham in the cast, highlighting the characters’ quirky ambitions.

The Party Line is a television programme presented as a single episode, positioned within the comedy genre. It offers a concise narrative that centres on a small community's political and personal machinations, delivering humour in a straightforward format. As the local council elections draw near, the character Harvey steps forward to stand as a Labour candidate. His decision to enter the race introduces a strand of political ambition that drives much of the episode’s action. At the same time, Maggie, another resident, is preoccupied with securing a wardrobe of complimentary suits from an admirer, setting up a parallel storyline focused on personal gain. The episode creates a comic contrast between Harvey’s earnest campaign efforts and Maggie’s pursuit of free clothing. By placing these two objectives side by side, the script highlights the absurdities that can arise when public responsibilities intersect with private desires. The humour emerges from the characters’ interactions and the situations they find themselves in, such as campaign rallies clashing with Maggie’s attempts to negotiate her sartorial benefits. Overall, The Party Line relies on situational comedy, using the backdrop of an imminent election to frame its jokes while keeping the plot tight and focused. The brief runtime ensures that both the political and personal threads are explored quickly, delivering a light‑hearted look at ambition, opportunism and the everyday quirks of community life.