A Conflict of Interest
Encyclopedia
"A Conflict of Interest" is the twelfth episode of the BBC
comedy series Yes, Prime Minister
and was first broadcast 31 December 1987.
is vexed at his lack of popularity within the press, and particularly at rumours of a scandal in the City. Sir Humphrey Appleby
advises him not to act unless the rumours become fact, and Bernard
counsels that the Prime Minister
spends too much time worrying about what the newspapers say. Hacker responds that with a party conference
coming up, he has little choice but to worry.
Sir Humphrey lunches with his old friend Sir Desmond Glazebrook, the Chairman of Bartlett's Bank, who admits that the reports from the City are true. A major bank named Phillips Berenson is about to become insolvent because of dishonest activities by its directors. Furthermore, Sir Desmond states that his own bank has lent to Phillips Berenson (as they seemed "decent chaps") and stands to lose a great amount. He suggests that the Bank of England
intervenes to bail them out at the taxpayers' expense, and, seeing as a new Governor is about to be appointed, he asks Sir Humphrey if pressure can be brought to bear on the PM to select the right man for the job — i.e. someone in whose interests it will be to assist in the cover-up.
The problem is that the favourite for the post is Alexander Jameson who is known for his scrupulous honesty and integrity, which has earned him the sobriquet "Mr Clean". Sir Desmond is concerned that if Jameson is appointed he will expose the facts behind Phillips Berenson and other potential scandals which could cause a loss in confidence in the City and an economic collapse.
Hacker goes over his party conference
speech with Dorothy Wainwright, his political advisor, and is gloomy that there is no good news in it. While trying to come up with a more optimistic and sustaining speech, they discuss Phillips Berenson and the PM remarks that City scandals always look bad for the government. He decides to appoint Jameson as Governor in order to clean the City up and will announce it at the party conference. He sends Bernard to fetch Sir Humphrey.
Bernard arrives at the Cabinet Office and relays the PM's message. He tells Sir Humphrey that Hacker is keen to appoint Jameson to the governorship. Sir Humphrey indicates that his appointment would be "appalling" and it is his firm intention to change the PM's mind. He gives Bernard a quick lesson on how to achieve this: express full support for the candidate (i.e. Jameson), pointing out all his qualities, but over-praising him to the point that the P.M. will be concerned since it could undermine his own perceived qualities. As Sir Humphrey points out, "It is necessary to get behind someone before you can stab them in the back."
Sir Humphrey joins Hacker in the Cabinet Room. The PM tells him of his worry that the Phillips Berenson scandal may overshadow his conference speech, and that he has therefore chosen Jameson for the Bank of England governorship. Sir Humphrey is wildly enthusiastic and, by lavishing effusive praise on Jameson, eventually succeeds in making the PM doubt the appointment.
Sir Frank Gordon, Permanent Secretary
to the Treasury
, hears of Sir Humphrey's praises for Jameson and correctly interpretes them as "rubbishing". He makes it clear to the Cabinet Secretary
that Jameson is seen as the best choice for sorting out the City. Sir Humphrey explains that if Jameson gets the position there is bound to be an inquiry into Phillips Berenson, which could lead to a loss of confidence, a falling pound
— and possibly the government with it. When Sir Frank tells Sir Humphrey that it's a Cabinet Office problem, he is told that Phillips Berenson was supposed to have been supervised by Bank of England investigators, who are provided by the Treasury — therefore ultimately making it a difficulty for Sir Frank.
Meanwhile, Dorothy has obtained a confidential auditor's report on Phillips Berenson and it bears out everyone's suspicions. She presents it to the PM just before he hears Sir Desmond Glazebrook's views on the Bank of England post. Dorothy points out that he is someone who would stand to gain from a cover-up, though Glazebrook is such an idiot that he is last person anyone in their right mind would have as Governor. Sir Desmond joins them and Hacker doesn't mention the report during the interview, but is interested in how much the banker will admit. Sir Desmond is typically oblique but does hint very strongly — albeit with a series of very mixed metaphors — that he is interested in the position of Governor himself, as "it needs to be someone the chaps trust" — i.e. someone trustworthy enough to sweep the whole scandal under the carpet.
Later, Hacker is preparing to make his conference speech, when he is interrupted by Sir Humphrey, who has the Burandan High Commissioner with him. The latter is concerned that the appointment of Jameson will lead to an inquiry. The PM responds that all it will reveal is that 60% of Phillips Berenson's money went to "three foreigners of doubtful repute". However, it transpires that two of the recipients in question were the President of Buranda and the Chairman of the Burandan Enterprise Corporation.
If these facts are made public, the High Commissioner warns that he and others will twist them in such a way that it will seem like a racial move rather than an exposure of corruption and will lead to Britain
being expelled from the Commonwealth
. Furthermore, Buranda will cancel several important deals and sell all its British government stock, thus creating a run on the pound.
Once the diplomat has left, Hacker practically accuses Sir Humphrey of causing this trouble and is bewildered as to the Cabinet Secretary's wish for a cover-up. Sir Humphrey assures him that he has no ulterior motive ("this time") and recommends Sir Desmond Glazebrook as Governor of the Bank of England. In return, Sir Humphrey guarantees an immediate cut in interest
rates, which Hacker can announce in his speech. Such a cut might cause problems with the economy, but Hacker should get a "standing inflation
... a standing ovation
."
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
comedy series Yes, Prime Minister
Yes Minister
Yes Minister is a satirical British sitcom written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn that was first transmitted by BBC Television between 1980–1982 and 1984, split over three seven-episode series. The sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, ran from 1986 to 1988. In total there were 38 episodes—of which all but...
and was first broadcast 31 December 1987.
Plot
Jim HackerJames Hacker
James George Hacker, Baron Hacker of Islington, KG, PC, B. Sc. , Hon. D. C. L. was a fictional British politician. He was the Minister of the fictional Department of Administrative Affairs, and later the Prime Minister, in the 1980s British sitcom Yes Minister and its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister...
is vexed at his lack of popularity within the press, and particularly at rumours of a scandal in the City. Sir Humphrey Appleby
Humphrey Appleby
Sir Humphrey Appleby, GCB, KBE, MVO, MA , is a fictional character from the British television series Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister. He was played by Sir Nigel Hawthorne. In Yes Minister, he is the Permanent Secretary for the Department of Administrative Affairs...
advises him not to act unless the rumours become fact, and Bernard
Bernard Woolley
Sir Bernard Woolley GCB is one of the three main fictional characters of the 1980s British sitcom Yes Minister and its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister. He was portrayed by Derek Fowlds.-Character:...
counsels that the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
spends too much time worrying about what the newspapers say. Hacker responds that with a party conference
Party conference
The terms party conference , political convention , and party congress usually refer to a general meeting of a political party. The conference is attended by certain delegates who represent the party membership...
coming up, he has little choice but to worry.
Sir Humphrey lunches with his old friend Sir Desmond Glazebrook, the Chairman of Bartlett's Bank, who admits that the reports from the City are true. A major bank named Phillips Berenson is about to become insolvent because of dishonest activities by its directors. Furthermore, Sir Desmond states that his own bank has lent to Phillips Berenson (as they seemed "decent chaps") and stands to lose a great amount. He suggests that the Bank of England
Bank of England
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694, it is the second oldest central bank in the world...
intervenes to bail them out at the taxpayers' expense, and, seeing as a new Governor is about to be appointed, he asks Sir Humphrey if pressure can be brought to bear on the PM to select the right man for the job — i.e. someone in whose interests it will be to assist in the cover-up.
The problem is that the favourite for the post is Alexander Jameson who is known for his scrupulous honesty and integrity, which has earned him the sobriquet "Mr Clean". Sir Desmond is concerned that if Jameson is appointed he will expose the facts behind Phillips Berenson and other potential scandals which could cause a loss in confidence in the City and an economic collapse.
Hacker goes over his party conference
Party conference
The terms party conference , political convention , and party congress usually refer to a general meeting of a political party. The conference is attended by certain delegates who represent the party membership...
speech with Dorothy Wainwright, his political advisor, and is gloomy that there is no good news in it. While trying to come up with a more optimistic and sustaining speech, they discuss Phillips Berenson and the PM remarks that City scandals always look bad for the government. He decides to appoint Jameson as Governor in order to clean the City up and will announce it at the party conference. He sends Bernard to fetch Sir Humphrey.
Bernard arrives at the Cabinet Office and relays the PM's message. He tells Sir Humphrey that Hacker is keen to appoint Jameson to the governorship. Sir Humphrey indicates that his appointment would be "appalling" and it is his firm intention to change the PM's mind. He gives Bernard a quick lesson on how to achieve this: express full support for the candidate (i.e. Jameson), pointing out all his qualities, but over-praising him to the point that the P.M. will be concerned since it could undermine his own perceived qualities. As Sir Humphrey points out, "It is necessary to get behind someone before you can stab them in the back."
Sir Humphrey joins Hacker in the Cabinet Room. The PM tells him of his worry that the Phillips Berenson scandal may overshadow his conference speech, and that he has therefore chosen Jameson for the Bank of England governorship. Sir Humphrey is wildly enthusiastic and, by lavishing effusive praise on Jameson, eventually succeeds in making the PM doubt the appointment.
Sir Frank Gordon, Permanent Secretary
Permanent Secretary
The Permanent secretary, in most departments officially titled the permanent under-secretary of state , is the most senior civil servant of a British Government ministry, charged with running the department on a day-to-day basis...
to the Treasury
HM Treasury
HM Treasury, in full Her Majesty's Treasury, informally The Treasury, is the United Kingdom government department responsible for developing and executing the British government's public finance policy and economic policy...
, hears of Sir Humphrey's praises for Jameson and correctly interpretes them as "rubbishing". He makes it clear to the Cabinet Secretary
Cabinet Secretary
A Cabinet Secretary is almost always a senior official who provides services and advice to a Cabinet of Ministers. In many countries, the position can have considerably wider functions and powers, including general responsibility for the entire civil service...
that Jameson is seen as the best choice for sorting out the City. Sir Humphrey explains that if Jameson gets the position there is bound to be an inquiry into Phillips Berenson, which could lead to a loss of confidence, a falling pound
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
— and possibly the government with it. When Sir Frank tells Sir Humphrey that it's a Cabinet Office problem, he is told that Phillips Berenson was supposed to have been supervised by Bank of England investigators, who are provided by the Treasury — therefore ultimately making it a difficulty for Sir Frank.
Meanwhile, Dorothy has obtained a confidential auditor's report on Phillips Berenson and it bears out everyone's suspicions. She presents it to the PM just before he hears Sir Desmond Glazebrook's views on the Bank of England post. Dorothy points out that he is someone who would stand to gain from a cover-up, though Glazebrook is such an idiot that he is last person anyone in their right mind would have as Governor. Sir Desmond joins them and Hacker doesn't mention the report during the interview, but is interested in how much the banker will admit. Sir Desmond is typically oblique but does hint very strongly — albeit with a series of very mixed metaphors — that he is interested in the position of Governor himself, as "it needs to be someone the chaps trust" — i.e. someone trustworthy enough to sweep the whole scandal under the carpet.
Later, Hacker is preparing to make his conference speech, when he is interrupted by Sir Humphrey, who has the Burandan High Commissioner with him. The latter is concerned that the appointment of Jameson will lead to an inquiry. The PM responds that all it will reveal is that 60% of Phillips Berenson's money went to "three foreigners of doubtful repute". However, it transpires that two of the recipients in question were the President of Buranda and the Chairman of the Burandan Enterprise Corporation.
If these facts are made public, the High Commissioner warns that he and others will twist them in such a way that it will seem like a racial move rather than an exposure of corruption and will lead to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
being expelled from the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
. Furthermore, Buranda will cancel several important deals and sell all its British government stock, thus creating a run on the pound.
Once the diplomat has left, Hacker practically accuses Sir Humphrey of causing this trouble and is bewildered as to the Cabinet Secretary's wish for a cover-up. Sir Humphrey assures him that he has no ulterior motive ("this time") and recommends Sir Desmond Glazebrook as Governor of the Bank of England. In return, Sir Humphrey guarantees an immediate cut in interest
Interest
Interest is a fee paid by a borrower of assets to the owner as a form of compensation for the use of the assets. It is most commonly the price paid for the use of borrowed money, or money earned by deposited funds....
rates, which Hacker can announce in his speech. Such a cut might cause problems with the economy, but Hacker should get a "standing inflation
Inflation
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...
... a standing ovation
Standing ovation
A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim...
."
Episode cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Paul Eddington Paul Eddington Paul Eddington CBE was an English actor best known for his appearances in popular television sitcoms of the 1970s and 80s: The Good Life, Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.-Early life:... |
Jim Hacker |
| Nigel Hawthorne Nigel Hawthorne Sir Nigel Barnard Hawthorne, CBE was an English actor, perhaps best remembered for his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Permanent Secretary in the 1980s sitcom Yes Minister and the Cabinet Secretary in its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister. For this role he won four BAFTA Awards during the 1980s in the... |
Sir Humphrey Appleby |
| Derek Fowlds Derek Fowlds Derek Fowlds is an English actor, known for playing Bernard Woolley in popular British television comedies Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister and Oscar Blaketon in the long-running ITV police drama Heartbeat.... |
Bernard Woolley |
| Richard Vernon Richard Vernon Richard Vernon was a British actor. He appeared in many feature films and television programmes, often in aristocratic or supercilious roles... |
Sir Desmond Glazebrook |
| Deborah Norton Deborah Norton Deborah Norton is an English actress best known for her appearances in Yes, Prime Minister and A Bit of Fry and Laurie.- Personal life :... |
Dorothy Wainwright |
| Peter Cellier Peter Cellier Peter Cellier is an English actor who has appeared in film, stage and television. He is perhaps best known for his role as Sir Frank Gordon in Yes Minister and then Yes, Prime Minister in the 1980s.-Biography:... |
Sir Frank Gordon |
| Louis Mahoney Louis Mahoney Louis Mahoney is a Gambian-born British actor.He has been seen most frequently on television in series such as: Danger Man, Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars, The Troubleshooters, Menace, Special Branch, Doctor Who , Quiller, Fawlty Towers Louis Mahoney (born 8 September 1938) is a Gambian-born British... |
Burandan High Commissioner |
| Miranda Forbes | Secretary |
Cast notes
- Sir Desmond Glazebrook previously appeared in the Yes Minister episodes "Jobs for the BoysJobs for the Boys"Jobs for the Boys" is the seventh episode of the BBC comedy series Yes Minister and was first broadcast 7 April 1980. In this episode, the final ' Yes Minister ' is uttered by Sir Humphrey Appleby...
" and "The Quality of LifeThe Quality of Life (Yes Minister)"The Quality of Life" is the thirteenth episode of the BBC comedy series Yes Minister and was first broadcast 30 March 1981. In this episode, the final ' Yes Minister ' is uttered by Sir Humphrey Appleby.- Plot :...
".