Yes, Prime Minister (TV Series)
The Ministerial Broadcast (1986)
Nigel Hawthorne: Sir Humphrey Appleby
Photos
Quotes
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Sir Humphrey : It's clear that the Committee has agreed that your new policy is really an excellent plan. But in view of some of the doubts being expressed, may I propose that I recall that after careful consideration, the considered view of the Committee was that, while they considered that the proposal met with broad approval in principle, that some of the principles were sufficiently fundamental in principle, and some of the considerations so complex and finely balanced in practice that in principle it was proposed that the sensible and prudent practice would be to submit the proposal for more detailed consideration, laying stress on the essential continuity of the new proposal with existing principles, the principle of the principal arguments which the proposal proposes and propounds for their approval. In principle.
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Sir Humphrey Appleby : [demonstrating how public surveys can reach opposite conclusions] Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?
Bernard Woolley : Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Do you think there is lack of discipline and vigorous training in our Comprehensive Schools?
Bernard Woolley : Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Do you think young people welcome some structure and leadership in their lives?
Bernard Woolley : Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Do they respond to a challenge?
Bernard Woolley : Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Might you be in favour of reintroducing National Service?
Bernard Woolley : Er, I might be.
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Yes or no?
Bernard Woolley : Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Of course, after all you've said you can't say no to that. On the other hand, the surveys can reach opposite conclusions.
[survey two]
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the danger of war?
Bernard Woolley : Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Are you unhappy about the growth of armaments?
Bernard Woolley : Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Do you think there's a danger in giving young people guns and teaching them how to kill?
Bernard Woolley : Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Do you think it's wrong to force people to take arms against their will?
Bernard Woolley : Yes.
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Would you oppose the reintroduction of conscription?
Bernard Woolley : Yes.
[does a double-take]
Sir Humphrey Appleby : There you are, Bernard. The perfectly balanced sample.
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Bernard Woolley : But he's the Prime Minister!
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Indeed he is Bernard. He has his own car, a nice house in London, a place in the country, endless publicity and a pension for life. What more does he want?
Bernard Woolley : I think he wants to govern Britain.
Sir Humphrey Appleby : Well stop him, Bernard.
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Sir Humphrey : Bernard, what is the purpose of our defence policy?
Bernard Woolley : To defend Britain.
Sir Humphrey : No, Bernard. It is to make people *believe* Britain is defended.
Bernard Woolley : The Russians?
Sir Humphrey : Not the Russians, the British! The Russians know it's not.
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[the Prime Minister wants to enact a policy that Humphrey opposes]
Bernard Woolley : He's going to say something new and radical in the broadcast.
Sir Humphrey : What, that silly Grand Design? Bernard, that's precisely what you were there to avoid! How did this come about, I shall need a very good explanation.
Bernard Woolley : Well, he's very keen on it.
Sir Humphrey : What's that got to do with it? Things don't happen just because Prime Ministers are very keen on them! Neville Chamberlain was very keen on peace.
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Sir Humphrey : Ah, Bernard. How is the Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury?
Bernard Woolley : Sleeping peacefully, Sir Humphrey.
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Sir Humphrey : I don't think we need to bring the truth in at this stage.