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I'm assured that the 16K ZX81 version of this is currently number 10 in the ZX software library. It's a colourful and sophisticated management game that gives you the chance to play at being prime minister of our sceptred isle.

The idea is to stay in power for as long as possible. So you must end each five-year term in a popular state.

To start the game, you key in your name and then choose the party you represent - Labour, Conservative, Liberal or Social Democrat. This is not a decision to be taken lightly. I found that a Labour government always started on a much worse footing than the rest, particularly Tory.

When the preliminaries have been completed, you are presented with a rundown of the current state of affairs. Simon Hessel does stress that this is a game and not a simulation. But plenty of variables are taken into consideration - inflation and unemployment being the key elements.

Each year begins with these two factors being updated along with the exchange rate, your popularity rating and the balance of the national account. Their movement depends on your performance in the previous year.

There are three ways in which you can control these figures. First you must set the levels of income tax, corporation tax, VAT and excise duties on tobacco, alcohol and petrol. These will determine your total income at the end of the year. They will also affect unemployment, inflation and your popularity rating.

Next you must set the levels of social benefits, including child allowance, pensions and unemployment benefits. The populace are particularly sensitive to any of these, especially to pensions falling behind inflation.

Finally, you are given the opportunity to plough money into some worthy cause in the hope that a social reform will be recognised. At the end of the year, news flashes will appear on the screen concerning riots or party revolts which may force you to revise your policies.

After five years, an election takes place. You may be given the chance to outline your manifesto for the following term. This involves apportioning 1,000 points between four areas of social concern: inflation, unemployment, overseas aid, and law and order. Then you sit and watch as the results clock up.