Yes, Prime Minister (TV Series) A Real Partnership (1986) User Reviews

Two hats with two faces

[snoozejonc · 9/10 · 24 August 2021]

Hacker deals with the implications of the financial crisis on MP and Civil Service salaries.

This is another excellently written episode that shows the self-serving behaviours of government ministers and senior civil servants.

The plot showcases the best of Sir Humphrey as he tries to snake his way to a pay rise, while appearing impartial and self sacrificial. All this comes with a valiant effort from Dorothy Wainwright to prevent government officials leeching off the taxpayer as the country suffers economic strife.

This episode has razor sharp, rapid fire banter between numerous characters. It's hard to pick a favourite exchange, but I love the moment that Bernard intervenes to stop Humphrey going in all guns blazing. Also every scene involving Wainwright is fantastic, as she makes an awesome blunt, no-nonsense foil to the polite, two-faced shenanigans of the main characters. The eventual resolution is cynical and typically a 'Yes, Prime Minister' solution

All performances are superb as ever with the main stars on great form and supported very well by Deborah Norton, John Nettleton and Peter Cellier.

Salaries

[safenoe · 10/10 · 27 December 2023]

A rather thorny issue arises with potential pay rises for politicians and the civil servants because let's face it, it's hardly a vote winner init. Hacker's SPAD, Dorothy Wainwright, is settling in well and she provides much support and political nouse against Sir Humphrey.

Jonathan Lynn co-created and co-wrote Yes, Minister with Antony Jay. Interestingly, Antony Jay received a knighthood to become Sir Antony Jay but to this day Jonathan Lynn hasn't. Yet Jonathan Lynn went on to direct Clue, Nuns on the Run, My Cousin Vinny, and The Whole Nine Yards so it's strange init that Jonathan has been overlooked for a knighthood.