So you want to be Premier?

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I nevert thought that I could have much fellow feeling with Margaret Hilda Thatcher, but after playing Simon Hessel's brilliant new game Great Britain Ltd, I must admit to more than a touch of sympathy.

It's not simple running a country, take my word for it. If you've ever sat in front of a TV on Budget Day think ing how easy it is, and how much better you could do it, then try this game. The idea is that, as Prime Minister (of the party of your choice), you have to guide your country through its social and economic ills for five years, then put yourself up for re-election.

At the beginning of the period you are shown a display of the major economic indicators such as inflation rate, unemployment rate, exchange rate and, ominously, your popularity rating.

You also get a display of what you receive by way of taxes and what you spend.

For each of the five years that you're in office you have a Budget Day. Using the economic indicators as guides you can change the taxes (but watch the in flation rate and unemployment figures), be as generous as you like with social benefits (but beware budget deficits) and start such things as housing pro jects (but keep an eye on everything!).

It's absolutely fascinating to play and, while it is easy to understand with excellent instructions, it is far more than just a trivial mimicry of reality.

You really do get involved, especially when you get news flashes of rioting in the streets!

The decision-making process can get both involved and agonising. You don't get the super fast, technicolour graphic wonders of other games, but you do get thoughtfully laid out, easily understood displays of economic information.

Great Britain Ltd is easily as exciting, and certainly more satisfying, than any game of Space Invaders I've played.

And at the end of five years worrying about the country what do you get as a reward? The chance to write your own manifesto and fight an election!

Try it, it's fascinating. Watch yourself become the type of political animal we all know and hate. Resist the election year give-away budget if you can and see how much you promise in your manifesto compared with what you do in office.

As for me, well, I've learnt how hard it is to run even a micro-country. I've never once been re-elected but despite that I know my policies are sound and I'll stick to them when I play the game again. After all, there is no alternative.

Steven More