The Ministerial Broadcast
Encyclopedia
“The Ministerial Broadcast” is the second episode of the BBC
comedy series Yes, Prime Minister
and was first broadcast 16 January 1986.
Jim Hacker
is in his office and is extremely jet lag
ged, having just returned from a trip to Washington
. He wished to see the Cabinet Secretary
, Sir Humphrey Appleby
, and Bernard
shows him in. However, Hacker keeps falling asleep and Sir Humphrey leaves. When the PM snaps awake, he asks Bernard about the backlog of work that will be waiting for him now that he’s home. His Principal Private Secretary
explains that there isn’t any really: as Hacker is now Prime Minister, he no longer runs a department of his own and, short of a few meetings each week, there is very little that he has to do. Hacker asks to see his Press Secretary
, Malcolm Warren, about his forthcoming television broadcast but again drifts into a snooze before the meeting can take place.
Later, in the Cabinet Office, Sir Humphrey talks with Bernard. The Cabinet Secretary is gravely concerned about the PM’s new defence policy, which involves cancelling the UK’s
order for Trident
and re-introducing conscription
. Sir Humphrey states that the only aim of a defence policy is to make Britain feel secure, and, since it costs £15 billion, Trident must be the only solution. Bernard remarks that Hacker may wish to refer to his “Grand Design” in his upcoming broadcast, and goes on to argue that there is theoretically nothing to prevent the PM from doing so because he wants to govern Britain. Sir Humphrey replies, “Well, stop him, Bernard.”
Meanwhile, Hacker has now sufficiently recovered to meet with Malcolm Warren and discuss his television appearance. He quickly rejects the idea of an interview, referring to the likes of Robin Day
, Brian Walden
, Terry Wogan
, and Jimmy Young
as “failed MPs and jumped-up disc jockeys.” He decides on a ministerial broadcast, which he will conduct directly to camera. Warren suggests arranging a practice session for him. As regards the content, the PM specifically wants to talk about his “Grand Design”, and he instructs Bernard to inform Sir Humphrey of this and ask him to join them. As Warren leaves, a galvanised Sir Humphrey comes rushing in to Hacker’s office, out of breath. He more or less forbids the PM to mention his new defence policy in the broadcast, and seeks to back this up with his usual civil service
delaying tactics. However, as Prime Minister, Hacker has the final word and is determined to go ahead.
Sometime later, Hacker is attending his practice session, which is being supervised by a producer named Godfrey. The latter instructs the PM on matters of appearance and delivery, and suggests removing his glasses, not leaning forward—as it makes him look like he’s “selling insurance”—and lowering the pitch of his voice. In addition, Bernard recommends that his planned speech be toned down slightly, and Hacker reluctantly agrees. As the session wears on, the PM gradually learns to cope with the teleprompter
; also his clothing, makeup and opening music are decided upon. However, Hacker dismisses the notion of undergoing some dental work.
In the Cabinet Office, Bernard reports back to Sir Humphrey, and tells him that despite his efforts, the “Grand Design” is still in the broadcast. He explains that the government party commissioned an opinion poll, which found that most voters were in favour of national service
. This in turn led Hacker to believe that his policy was a positive vote-winner. Sir Humphrey instructs Bernard to arrange a second poll for the Ministry of Defence
that will reach the opposite conclusion. He expounds on how this can be achieved, simply by asking a different set of leading questions. In the meantime, Sir Humphrey will arrange for Hacker’s television appearance to be brought forward by allowing the Leader of the Opposition
a party political broadcast
sooner than the PM’s planned date for his own, thus forcing his hand. He also needs to ensure that the PM’s next Cabinet
meeting arrives at the right result by making certain that all the ministers—who hitherto have been in favour of the proposal—receive the appropriate advice from their officials.
Later on, Sir Humphrey meets with the Permanent Secretary
from the Department of Employment
to make certain that his minister is briefed correctly. They agree that by the next morning the Minister will have changed his view and will believe that re-introducing conscription would release an unemployed army of trained killers on to the streets of Britain. They also discuss the likely arguments that other Permanent Secretaries will be putting forward to their respective ministers.
Following the Cabinet meeting, the PM is mystified: all of his colleagues have now done a volte-face. In addition, Bernard arrives with news of an MOD opinion poll, concluding that 74% of the population are against conscription. Sir Humphrey successfully convinces the PM to shelve any announcement of his “Grand Design” for the time being.
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 16 January 1986.
Plot
Prime MinisterPrime 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...
Jim Hacker
James 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 his office and is extremely jet lag
Jet lag
Jet lag, medically referred to as desynchronosis, is a physiological condition which results from alterations to the body's circadian rhythms; it is classified as one of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders...
ged, having just returned from a trip to Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. He wished to see 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...
, 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:...
shows him in. However, Hacker keeps falling asleep and Sir Humphrey leaves. When the PM snaps awake, he asks Bernard about the backlog of work that will be waiting for him now that he’s home. His 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...
explains that there isn’t any really: as Hacker is now Prime Minister, he no longer runs a department of his own and, short of a few meetings each week, there is very little that he has to do. Hacker asks to see his Press Secretary
Press secretary
A press secretary or press officer is a senior advisor who provides advice on how to deal with the news media and, using news management techniques, helps their employer to maintain a positive public image and avoid negative media coverage....
, Malcolm Warren, about his forthcoming television broadcast but again drifts into a snooze before the meeting can take place.
Later, in the Cabinet Office, Sir Humphrey talks with Bernard. The Cabinet Secretary is gravely concerned about the PM’s new defence policy, which involves cancelling the UK’s
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...
order for Trident
Trident missile
The Trident missile is a submarine-launched ballistic missile equipped with multiple independently-targetable reentry vehicles . The Fleet Ballistic Missile is armed with nuclear warheads and is launched from nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines . Trident missiles are carried by fourteen...
and re-introducing conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
. Sir Humphrey states that the only aim of a defence policy is to make Britain feel secure, and, since it costs £15 billion, Trident must be the only solution. Bernard remarks that Hacker may wish to refer to his “Grand Design” in his upcoming broadcast, and goes on to argue that there is theoretically nothing to prevent the PM from doing so because he wants to govern Britain. Sir Humphrey replies, “Well, stop him, Bernard.”
Meanwhile, Hacker has now sufficiently recovered to meet with Malcolm Warren and discuss his television appearance. He quickly rejects the idea of an interview, referring to the likes of Robin Day
Robin Day
Sir Robin Day, OBE was a British political broadcaster and commentator. His obituary in the Guardian stated that "he was the most outstanding television journalist of his generation...
, Brian Walden
Brian Walden
Alastair Brian Walden is a British journalist and broadcaster who was a Labour Member of Parliament for a decade. He is the father of actor Ben Walden....
, Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
, and Jimmy Young
Jimmy Young (disc jockey)
Sir Jimmy Young CBE was a British singer, disc jockey and radio interviewer.-Early life:...
as “failed MPs and jumped-up disc jockeys.” He decides on a ministerial broadcast, which he will conduct directly to camera. Warren suggests arranging a practice session for him. As regards the content, the PM specifically wants to talk about his “Grand Design”, and he instructs Bernard to inform Sir Humphrey of this and ask him to join them. As Warren leaves, a galvanised Sir Humphrey comes rushing in to Hacker’s office, out of breath. He more or less forbids the PM to mention his new defence policy in the broadcast, and seeks to back this up with his usual 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...
delaying tactics. However, as Prime Minister, Hacker has the final word and is determined to go ahead.
Sometime later, Hacker is attending his practice session, which is being supervised by a producer named Godfrey. The latter instructs the PM on matters of appearance and delivery, and suggests removing his glasses, not leaning forward—as it makes him look like he’s “selling insurance”—and lowering the pitch of his voice. In addition, Bernard recommends that his planned speech be toned down slightly, and Hacker reluctantly agrees. As the session wears on, the PM gradually learns to cope with the teleprompter
Teleprompter
An autocue is a display device that prompts the person speaking with an electronic visual text of a speech or script. Using a teleprompter is similar to the practice of using cue cards...
; also his clothing, makeup and opening music are decided upon. However, Hacker dismisses the notion of undergoing some dental work.
In the Cabinet Office, Bernard reports back to Sir Humphrey, and tells him that despite his efforts, the “Grand Design” is still in the broadcast. He explains that the government party commissioned an opinion poll, which found that most voters were in favour of national service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
. This in turn led Hacker to believe that his policy was a positive vote-winner. Sir Humphrey instructs Bernard to arrange a second poll for the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
that will reach the opposite conclusion. He expounds on how this can be achieved, simply by asking a different set of leading questions. In the meantime, Sir Humphrey will arrange for Hacker’s television appearance to be brought forward by allowing the Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (UK)
The Leader of Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition in the United Kingdom is the politician who leads the Official Opposition in the United Kingdom. There is also a Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords...
a party political broadcast
Party political broadcast
A party political broadcast is a short television or radio broadcast made by a political party....
sooner than the PM’s planned date for his own, thus forcing his hand. He also needs to ensure that the PM’s next 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....
meeting arrives at the right result by making certain that all the ministers—who hitherto have been in favour of the proposal—receive the appropriate advice from their officials.
Later on, Sir Humphrey meets 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...
from the Department of Employment
Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions is the largest government department in the United Kingdom, created on June 8, 2001 from the merger of the employment part of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security and headed by the Secretary of State for Work and...
to make certain that his minister is briefed correctly. They agree that by the next morning the Minister will have changed his view and will believe that re-introducing conscription would release an unemployed army of trained killers on to the streets of Britain. They also discuss the likely arguments that other Permanent Secretaries will be putting forward to their respective ministers.
Following the Cabinet meeting, the PM is mystified: all of his colleagues have now done a volte-face. In addition, Bernard arrives with news of an MOD opinion poll, concluding that 74% of the population are against conscription. Sir Humphrey successfully convinces the PM to shelve any announcement of his “Grand Design” for the time being.
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 |
| John Wells John Wells (satirist) John Wells was an English actor, writer and satirist, educated at Eastbourne College and St Edmund Hall, Oxford... |
Godfrey |
| Barry Stanton | Malcolm Warren |
| Brian Gwaspari Brian Gwaspari Brian Gwaspari is a British actor who made frequent guest star roles throughout the 1970s and 1980s.He also starred in two police drama series, Specials and The Gentle Touch and appeared in The Professionals and starred in the two-part series Trial And Retribution.- References :... |
David |
| Carolyn Lister | Makeup Artist |