A Real Partnership
Encyclopedia
“A Real Partnership” is the fifth episode of the BBC
comedy series Yes, Prime Minister
and was first broadcast 6 February 1986.
goes back to his apartment above 10 Downing Street
after a Cabinet
meeting that has not gone well. He explains to Annie, his wife, that there is a financial crisis looming and every department must cut expenditure. Furthermore, he is about to receive a deputation of MPs
to whom he has promised a pay rise—and he has no sympathy for them.
Later, Hacker is in the Cabinet Room and berates Sir Humphrey Appleby
, the Cabinet Secretary
, for the late circulation of papers relating to the last meeting. Sir Humphrey points out that this was in fact the responsibility of Sir Frank Gordon, Permanent Secretary
to the Treasury
. He adds that the Treasury generally takes the view that if urgent action is needed on the economy, then the Cabinet shouldn’t have too much time to think about it. However, the PM insists on the relevant papers being available 48 hours in advance from now on, and Sir Humphrey leaves to speak with Sir Frank. Hacker remarks on Sir Humphrey’s loyalty in the matter, which is uncharacteristic of civil service
officials, who normally stick together. Bernard
suggests that it may be to do with the PM’s recent idea to transfer Sir Humphrey’s duties as Head of the Home Civil Service to Sir Frank.
In the Cabinet Office, Sir Humphrey informs Sir Frank of the PM’s displeasure, but assures the Permanent Secretary that he defended him gallantly. Sir Frank then brings up a new problem: the MPs’ pay rise must be denied owing to the financial crisis, but the pay review for the civil service is also about to be brought forward. They agree that their unselfish proposal must be put in just before the next Cabinet meeting to minimise any scrutiny by the MPs. However, the pair are at loggerheads when Sir Frank recommends that they present it jointly. Sir Humphrey emphatically refuses, but persuades his colleague that he will back his findings when the time comes. They also agree that they can’t let the Cabinet adjudicate on the matter, and Sir Humphrey has an “impartial committee” lined up, of which the chairman is a renowned idiot who will follow Sir Humphrey's lead.
The night before the next Cabinet meeting, Hacker receives Sir Frank’s proposal, and is wise to his intentions. He meets with Sir Humphrey, who argues that if the civil service remuneration is not implemented, then low morale could lead to public sector strike action
. The PM counters that neither backbench
MPs nor the Cabinet will wear it. The mandarin advises that the Cabinet should look at it in principle, before referring it to an “independent group of assessors”.
Back in the Cabinet Office, Sir Frank shares his salary recommendations with Sir Humphrey. For Under-Secretaries and above, they amount to an increase of 43%. This has been carefully hidden within seven large files, which will dissuade the committee from digging too deeply. The one-page summary for the Cabinet (to which Sir Frank refers as the “Janet and John bit”) makes the case by comparing similar jobs in industry, namely the directors of BP
and IBM
. The two civil servants are heartened by the knowledge that they will each be getting a £26,000 per annum rise, and Sir Humphrey is confident that he can rush it through Cabinet as the last item on the agenda.
However, all is not plain sailing. Dorothy Wainwright
, the PM’s political advisor, is looking into the pay claim and has come up with a series of pertinent questions for Hacker to ask Sir Humphrey. She rings Bernard and asks to be put through to the PM, who lists her misgivings — but Bernard is still on the line.
Sir Humphrey later arrives at the Cabinet Room, but Bernard intercepts him and, by “walking the tightrope”, successfully informs his master that there have been developments. Inside, Hacker is keen to hear Sir Humphrey’s views on his new information. The PM is genuinely surprised that the Cabinet Secretary is in total agreement with him: he suggests that Hacker speaks to Sir Frank Gordon, since he should be in possession of the relevant facts. The PM thanks Sir Humphrey for his impartiality in the light of his possible financial gain.
Sir Humphrey lunches with the former Cabinet Secretary, Sir Arnold Robinson, and asks his advice. Since Sir Frank’s proposal is now discredited, Sir Humphrey still needs to get the 43% rise through. Sir Arnold has a range of methods by which this can be achieved, including increases in both the London allowance and Outstanding Merit Awards (neither of which are classed as salary). By the end of their conversation, the desired figures have been realised, and Sir Arnold is happy to have obliged — especially with the Birthday
honours
coming up.
Sir Frank faces an inquisition by Hacker and his political advisor, with Sir Humphrey on the sidelines. However, whenever the latter’s help is sought, he points out that he is unable to offer an opinion as Sir Frank is in charge of civil service pay. However, neither are immune from Dorothy, who makes some salient points regarding their honours and index-linked pensions. After the meeting, Sir Humphrey presents the PM with his new pay proposal: an apparent rise of around 6% (provided it is not examined too closely). He also recommends that MPs should be graded in line with civil servants, so that every time the latter get an increase, the former would as well. He suggests that Hacker be equivalent to a Permanent Secretary, causing the PM to remark that they are indeed a partnership.
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 6 February 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...
goes back to his apartment above 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....
after a 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 that has not gone well. He explains to Annie, his wife, that there is a financial crisis looming and every department must cut expenditure. Furthermore, he is about to receive a deputation of MPs
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
to whom he has promised a pay rise—and he has no sympathy for them.
Later, Hacker is in the Cabinet Room and berates 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...
, 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...
, for the late circulation of papers relating to the last meeting. Sir Humphrey points out that this was in fact the responsibility of 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...
. He adds that the Treasury generally takes the view that if urgent action is needed on the economy, then the Cabinet shouldn’t have too much time to think about it. However, the PM insists on the relevant papers being available 48 hours in advance from now on, and Sir Humphrey leaves to speak with Sir Frank. Hacker remarks on Sir Humphrey’s loyalty in the matter, which is uncharacteristic of 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...
officials, who normally stick together. 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:...
suggests that it may be to do with the PM’s recent idea to transfer Sir Humphrey’s duties as Head of the Home Civil Service to Sir Frank.
In the Cabinet Office, Sir Humphrey informs Sir Frank of the PM’s displeasure, but assures the Permanent Secretary that he defended him gallantly. Sir Frank then brings up a new problem: the MPs’ pay rise must be denied owing to the financial crisis, but the pay review for the civil service is also about to be brought forward. They agree that their unselfish proposal must be put in just before the next Cabinet meeting to minimise any scrutiny by the MPs. However, the pair are at loggerheads when Sir Frank recommends that they present it jointly. Sir Humphrey emphatically refuses, but persuades his colleague that he will back his findings when the time comes. They also agree that they can’t let the Cabinet adjudicate on the matter, and Sir Humphrey has an “impartial committee” lined up, of which the chairman is a renowned idiot who will follow Sir Humphrey's lead.
The night before the next Cabinet meeting, Hacker receives Sir Frank’s proposal, and is wise to his intentions. He meets with Sir Humphrey, who argues that if the civil service remuneration is not implemented, then low morale could lead to public sector strike action
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
. The PM counters that neither backbench
Backbencher
In Westminster parliamentary systems, a backbencher is a Member of Parliament or a legislator who does not hold governmental office and is not a Front Bench spokesperson in the Opposition...
MPs nor the Cabinet will wear it. The mandarin advises that the Cabinet should look at it in principle, before referring it to an “independent group of assessors”.
Back in the Cabinet Office, Sir Frank shares his salary recommendations with Sir Humphrey. For Under-Secretaries and above, they amount to an increase of 43%. This has been carefully hidden within seven large files, which will dissuade the committee from digging too deeply. The one-page summary for the Cabinet (to which Sir Frank refers as the “Janet and John bit”) makes the case by comparing similar jobs in industry, namely the directors of BP
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
and IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
. The two civil servants are heartened by the knowledge that they will each be getting a £26,000 per annum rise, and Sir Humphrey is confident that he can rush it through Cabinet as the last item on the agenda.
However, all is not plain sailing. Dorothy Wainwright
Dorothy Wainwright
Dorothy Wainwright is a fictional character in the 1980s British sitcom, Yes, Prime Minister. She was portrayed by Deborah Norton.During the time that James Hacker served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Wainwright served as his Chief Political Advisor. She had already served his...
, the PM’s political advisor, is looking into the pay claim and has come up with a series of pertinent questions for Hacker to ask Sir Humphrey. She rings Bernard and asks to be put through to the PM, who lists her misgivings — but Bernard is still on the line.
Sir Humphrey later arrives at the Cabinet Room, but Bernard intercepts him and, by “walking the tightrope”, successfully informs his master that there have been developments. Inside, Hacker is keen to hear Sir Humphrey’s views on his new information. The PM is genuinely surprised that the Cabinet Secretary is in total agreement with him: he suggests that Hacker speaks to Sir Frank Gordon, since he should be in possession of the relevant facts. The PM thanks Sir Humphrey for his impartiality in the light of his possible financial gain.
Sir Humphrey lunches with the former Cabinet Secretary, Sir Arnold Robinson, and asks his advice. Since Sir Frank’s proposal is now discredited, Sir Humphrey still needs to get the 43% rise through. Sir Arnold has a range of methods by which this can be achieved, including increases in both the London allowance and Outstanding Merit Awards (neither of which are classed as salary). By the end of their conversation, the desired figures have been realised, and Sir Arnold is happy to have obliged — especially with the Birthday
Queen's Official Birthday
The Queen's Official Birthday is the selected day on which the birthday of the monarch of Commonwealth realms is officially celebrated in Commonwealth countries and in Fiji, which is now a republic. It is an invention of the early 20th century...
honours
British honours system
The British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals' personal bravery, achievement, or service to the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories...
coming up.
Sir Frank faces an inquisition by Hacker and his political advisor, with Sir Humphrey on the sidelines. However, whenever the latter’s help is sought, he points out that he is unable to offer an opinion as Sir Frank is in charge of civil service pay. However, neither are immune from Dorothy, who makes some salient points regarding their honours and index-linked pensions. After the meeting, Sir Humphrey presents the PM with his new pay proposal: an apparent rise of around 6% (provided it is not examined too closely). He also recommends that MPs should be graded in line with civil servants, so that every time the latter get an increase, the former would as well. He suggests that Hacker be equivalent to a Permanent Secretary, causing the PM to remark that they are indeed a partnership.
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 Nettleton John Nettleton (actor) John Nettleton is an English actor.One of his most notable roles was that of Sir Arnold Robinson, the Cabinet Secretary in Yes Minister and President of the Campaign for Freedom of Information in the follow-up Yes, Prime Minister... |
Sir Arnold Robinson |
| 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 |
| Diana Hoddinott Diana Hoddinott Diana Hoddinott is an English actress. She was born to Winifred Doris, née Dibble and Alan Hoddinott , who married in 1934 in Langport.... |
Annie Hacker |