The Key (Yes, Prime Minister)
Encyclopedia
“The Key” is the fourth episode of the BBC
comedy series Yes, Prime Minister
and was first broadcast 30 January 1986.
is in the Cabinet
Room in 10 Downing Street
and is visited by his political advisor, Dorothy Wainwright. She is unhappy that she has been moved from her office, which used to be next door. The Prime Minister
had apparently acted upon advice from the Cabinet Secretary
, Sir Humphrey Appleby
. Dorothy tells Hacker that the civil service
has been trying to relocate her for three years. She makes the case that her room is of strategic importance as it enables her to overhear ministers who may be keeping things from the PM. Hacker is immediately swayed by her argument and orders Bernard
to move Dorothy back.
Outside the Cabinet Room, as Bernard makes a call to relay his instructions, Sir Humphrey enters and commands him to stop. He vigorously makes the point that they have striven to remove the “impossible woman” as she may “confuse” the PM: in fact, she makes him doubt everything that his officials tell him. Dorothy joins them and Sir Humphrey is quick with the flattery, calling her “dear lady.” He swiftly changes the subject and chastises Bernard for allowing someone into Number 10 without a relevant security pass. He stresses that this is mandatory even if they are known to the police officer at the front door. Dorothy is more concerned with her office and tells Sir Humphrey that she is to move back right away. The mandarin disagrees angrily and goes into the Cabinet Room to see the PM.
With a typically loquacious argument, Sir Humphrey persuades Hacker that Dorothy really does need to remain upstairs. He assures the PM that he can have her written or verbal advice whenever he needs it. Hacker caves in and asks Bernard to send Dorothy back in. The PM tells her hesitantly that he has changed his mind, but she suspects that Sir Humphrey is behind it. She points out that the Cabinet Secretary wants to be the only channel of communication to the PM, and Hacker once again alters his view. They discuss how Sir Humphrey’s wings might be clipped. He is also Head of the Home Civil Service, but responsibility for pay and rations rests with the Permanent Secretary
to the Treasury
, Sir Frank Gordon. Dorothy suggests giving all of Sir Humphrey’s duties to Sir Frank. Hacker invites Sir Humphrey back in and tells him that Dorothy will be moved back once and for all. The civil servant is reluctant to refuse in her presence, but still won’t give a straight answer. Dorothy then leaves and the PM advises Sir Humphrey that he is considering relieving him of some of his professional burden. In addition, since Sir Humphrey works in the Cabinet Office, an adjoining but nevertheless separate building to Number 10, Hacker tells him he will be sent for if and when needed.
Sir Humphrey is troubled by this new authority coming from Hacker, especially since this new policy could upset the balance of power between his Cabinet Office and Sir Frank’s Treasury Department.
The PM sits down with Sir Frank Gordon, but instructs Bernard beforehand that they are not to be interrupted. Hacker starts discussing his plan of transferring Sir Humphrey’s HCS responsibilities to the Treasury. Meanwhile, outside the room, Sir Humphrey has arrived unannounced and Bernard informs him that, from now on, the PM would like a prior phone call to check if his visit is convenient. Sir Humphrey seethes and bullies Bernard into telling him who is in with the PM. He then ignores Bernard’s pleas and looks into the Cabinet Room, where Sir Frank alerts Hacker that they have company.
Sir Humphrey meekly asks if he can be of service, and when the PM declines his offer and asks him to shut the door, he does so from within the room. Hacker orders Sir Humphrey to leave and terminates his interview with Sir Frank. He angrily shouts for Bernard and orders him to confine Sir Humphrey to the Cabinet Office by locking the communicating door and taking the key.
Later, Sir Humphrey rings Bernard and requests an audience with the PM. When this is denied, he states that he’s coming anyway, and appears in an instant, obviously in the possession of a duplicate key. He insists that Bernard tells him the location of the original, but, summoning up his courage and looking his boss in the eye, the Principal Private Secretary
stands his ground. Sir Humphrey falls back on veiled threats to his subordinate’s professional future, but Bernard still demands the second key. When he refuses and leaves, Bernard gets back on to security: he tells them to change the lock and give him all the keys.
Sir Humphrey chairs a meeting of his Permanent Secretaries and afterwards, asks Sir Frank about his meeting with the PM. Sir Frank is noncommittal, but points out that there is nothing for him personally to worry about. Sir Humphrey sees through this and indignantly contacts Bernard. Once again, he tells him that he’s on his way through to Number 10, whether Bernard likes it or not. However, the lock has been changed and no amount of banging on the door and cursing will make it yield. Sir Humphrey sets off outdoors and walks from the Cabinet Office into Downing Street and up to the PM’s front door. He seeks admittance, but even though he is recognised, his security pass does not relate to Number 10 and the policeman on guard refuses him entry. Sir Humphrey heads back to his office, and once inside, climbs out of the window and on to the balcony.
Back in the Cabinet Room, Hacker is meeting with Dorothy and Bernard when a bedraggled Sir Humphrey appears on the balcony outside. He manages to get their attention and tries to enter via the exterior doors, but sets off the intruder alarm, causing an immediate panic and several security men to rush in. Sir Humphrey is now distraught and entreats the Prime Minister to let him have his key back. Hacker does so, but not before he has got his way over Dorothy’s office. Sir Humphrey then asks if he is still Head of the Home Civil Service, but the PM is uncommitted. However, he makes it clear that it will be his decision, and Sir Humphrey acquiesces, growling "Yes, Prime Minister."
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 30 January 1986.
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 in the Cabinet
Cabinet of the United Kingdom
The Cabinet of the United Kingdom is the collective decision-making body of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, composed of the Prime Minister and some 22 Cabinet Ministers, the most senior of the government ministers....
Room in 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
and is visited by his political advisor, Dorothy Wainwright. She is unhappy that she has been moved from her office, which used to be next door. 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...
had apparently acted upon advice from 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...
, 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...
. Dorothy tells Hacker that the civil service
British Civil Service
Her Majesty's Home Civil Service, also known as the Home Civil Service, is the permanent bureaucracy of Crown employees that supports Her Majesty's Government - the government of the United Kingdom, composed of a Cabinet of ministers chosen by the prime minister, as well as the devolved...
has been trying to relocate her for three years. She makes the case that her room is of strategic importance as it enables her to overhear ministers who may be keeping things from the PM. Hacker is immediately swayed by her argument and orders 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:...
to move Dorothy back.
Outside the Cabinet Room, as Bernard makes a call to relay his instructions, Sir Humphrey enters and commands him to stop. He vigorously makes the point that they have striven to remove the “impossible woman” as she may “confuse” the PM: in fact, she makes him doubt everything that his officials tell him. Dorothy joins them and Sir Humphrey is quick with the flattery, calling her “dear lady.” He swiftly changes the subject and chastises Bernard for allowing someone into Number 10 without a relevant security pass. He stresses that this is mandatory even if they are known to the police officer at the front door. Dorothy is more concerned with her office and tells Sir Humphrey that she is to move back right away. The mandarin disagrees angrily and goes into the Cabinet Room to see the PM.
With a typically loquacious argument, Sir Humphrey persuades Hacker that Dorothy really does need to remain upstairs. He assures the PM that he can have her written or verbal advice whenever he needs it. Hacker caves in and asks Bernard to send Dorothy back in. The PM tells her hesitantly that he has changed his mind, but she suspects that Sir Humphrey is behind it. She points out that the Cabinet Secretary wants to be the only channel of communication to the PM, and Hacker once again alters his view. They discuss how Sir Humphrey’s wings might be clipped. He is also Head of the Home Civil Service, but responsibility for pay and rations rests with the 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...
, Sir Frank Gordon. Dorothy suggests giving all of Sir Humphrey’s duties to Sir Frank. Hacker invites Sir Humphrey back in and tells him that Dorothy will be moved back once and for all. The civil servant is reluctant to refuse in her presence, but still won’t give a straight answer. Dorothy then leaves and the PM advises Sir Humphrey that he is considering relieving him of some of his professional burden. In addition, since Sir Humphrey works in the Cabinet Office, an adjoining but nevertheless separate building to Number 10, Hacker tells him he will be sent for if and when needed.
Sir Humphrey is troubled by this new authority coming from Hacker, especially since this new policy could upset the balance of power between his Cabinet Office and Sir Frank’s Treasury Department.
The PM sits down with Sir Frank Gordon, but instructs Bernard beforehand that they are not to be interrupted. Hacker starts discussing his plan of transferring Sir Humphrey’s HCS responsibilities to the Treasury. Meanwhile, outside the room, Sir Humphrey has arrived unannounced and Bernard informs him that, from now on, the PM would like a prior phone call to check if his visit is convenient. Sir Humphrey seethes and bullies Bernard into telling him who is in with the PM. He then ignores Bernard’s pleas and looks into the Cabinet Room, where Sir Frank alerts Hacker that they have company.
Sir Humphrey meekly asks if he can be of service, and when the PM declines his offer and asks him to shut the door, he does so from within the room. Hacker orders Sir Humphrey to leave and terminates his interview with Sir Frank. He angrily shouts for Bernard and orders him to confine Sir Humphrey to the Cabinet Office by locking the communicating door and taking the key.
Later, Sir Humphrey rings Bernard and requests an audience with the PM. When this is denied, he states that he’s coming anyway, and appears in an instant, obviously in the possession of a duplicate key. He insists that Bernard tells him the location of the original, but, summoning up his courage and looking his boss in the eye, the Principal Private Secretary
Principal Private Secretary
In the British Civil Service and Australian Public Service the Principal Private Secretary is the civil servant who runs a cabinet minister's private office...
stands his ground. Sir Humphrey falls back on veiled threats to his subordinate’s professional future, but Bernard still demands the second key. When he refuses and leaves, Bernard gets back on to security: he tells them to change the lock and give him all the keys.
Sir Humphrey chairs a meeting of his Permanent Secretaries and afterwards, asks Sir Frank about his meeting with the PM. Sir Frank is noncommittal, but points out that there is nothing for him personally to worry about. Sir Humphrey sees through this and indignantly contacts Bernard. Once again, he tells him that he’s on his way through to Number 10, whether Bernard likes it or not. However, the lock has been changed and no amount of banging on the door and cursing will make it yield. Sir Humphrey sets off outdoors and walks from the Cabinet Office into Downing Street and up to the PM’s front door. He seeks admittance, but even though he is recognised, his security pass does not relate to Number 10 and the policeman on guard refuses him entry. Sir Humphrey heads back to his office, and once inside, climbs out of the window and on to the balcony.
Back in the Cabinet Room, Hacker is meeting with Dorothy and Bernard when a bedraggled Sir Humphrey appears on the balcony outside. He manages to get their attention and tries to enter via the exterior doors, but sets off the intruder alarm, causing an immediate panic and several security men to rush in. Sir Humphrey is now distraught and entreats the Prime Minister to let him have his key back. Hacker does so, but not before he has got his way over Dorothy’s office. Sir Humphrey then asks if he is still Head of the Home Civil Service, but the PM is uncommitted. However, he makes it clear that it will be his decision, and Sir Humphrey acquiesces, growling "Yes, Prime Minister."
Theme
The Key marks a defining moment in the Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister story arc. Throughout the series, Sir Humphrey has been largely unbeatable, which may have made his character somewhat tedious. In this episode, Sir Humphrey is driven to the lengths of having to break into number 10 due to Hacker and Wooley standing up to him, and much of the bureaucratic inertia which has been felt throughout the series is lifted. The greater pressures on Sir Humphrey become more recurrent in the remaining Yes, Prime Minister episodes.Quote
- Hacker: "Sir Humphrey! To what do we owe this pleasure?"
- Sir Humphrey: "Prime Minister, I must protest in the strongest possible terms my profound opposition to a newly instituted practice which imposes severe and intolerable restrictions upon the ingress and egress of senior members of the hierarchy and which will in all probability, should the current deplorable innovation be perpetuated, precipitate a constriction of the channels of communication and culminate in the condition of organisational atrophy and administrative paralysis which will render effectively impossible the coherent and coordinated discharge of the function of government within Her Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland!"
- Hacker: "You mean you've lost your key?"
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Victor Winding Victor Winding Victor Winding is a British actor born in London on Winding was educated at Westminster Technical Institute and initially trained as a draughtsman but acted in amateur dramatics and taught drama at night school. In 1958, aged 29, he joined Farnham Repertory Theatre. The Castle Theatre was opened... |
Policeman |