Francis Urquhart

Francis Urquhart

Francis Ewan Urquhart (1937 –– 29 July 2003) is a fictional Conservative politician created by Michael Dobbs. Known by his initials FU, Urquhart appeared in a trilogy of novels: House of Cards in 1989, To Play the King in 1992 and The Final Cut in 1995. He was portrayed in television versions by Ian Richardson.

The "epitome of elegant evil", in the series Urquhart addressed the audience in asides, often quoting Shakespeare, or giving a knowing look to the camera. He used the catchphrase, "You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment", or a variation thereon, as a deniable way of agreeing with people. The term has often been used in the real life British politics, and in the media, since the BBC airing of House of Cards in 1990. The first series, which opens with the battle within the Conservative Party to succeed Margaret Thatcher as its leader and as Prime Minister, gained instant popularity when she actually fell from power during its run.