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1
00:00:31,765 --> 00:00:34,678
Bernard, where's that
Civil Service Reform Bill?
2
00:00:34,845 --> 00:00:36,882
I thought you promised Sir Humphrey
you were going to abandon it.
3
00:00:37,125 --> 00:00:38,843
I never said abandon,
4
00:00:38,925 --> 00:00:40,563
I said we could put it
on the back burner.
5
00:00:40,765 --> 00:00:42,642
That's Civil Service speak
for abandoned.
6
00:00:43,165 --> 00:00:44,917
—Where is it, Bernard?
—It's gone.
7
00:00:45,445 --> 00:00:48,915
—What do you mean gone?
—Lost, discredited, shredded.
8
00:00:49,005 --> 00:00:51,076
One of those, ages ago.
I can't remember exactly.
9
00:00:51,805 --> 00:00:54,115
JIM: Bernard!
BERNARD: It really wasn't very good.
10
00:00:54,405 --> 00:00:57,761
Too general, badly argued,
impracticable, over specific...
11
00:00:57,845 --> 00:01:01,076
Too general and over specific?
12
00:01:01,165 --> 00:01:02,963
I kept a copy in your desk, Jim.
13
00:01:03,045 --> 00:01:04,843
Ah!
14
00:01:07,605 --> 00:01:10,199
Oh, yes.
15
00:01:10,885 --> 00:01:16,801
This will really cramp their style,
clip their wings, tie their hands.
16
00:01:16,885 --> 00:01:19,764
Nothing has hands and wings,
Prime Minister.
17
00:01:19,845 --> 00:01:21,119
Didn't you just promise Sir Humphrey
18
00:01:21,205 --> 00:01:23,560
that you were going to put
Civil Service reform on the back burner?
19
00:01:23,645 --> 00:01:25,761
And now I'm putting it back
on the front burner.
20
00:01:25,845 --> 00:01:28,121
Humphrey shouldn't have leaked
that we were joining the euro.
21
00:01:28,205 --> 00:01:31,197
Particularly, as I had no intention
of doing so.
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00:01:31,285 --> 00:01:33,515
—He was trying to twist my arm.
—I know, Prime Minister...
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00:01:33,605 --> 00:01:35,562
And he leaked it to
Golding Brothers Bank,
24
00:01:35,645 --> 00:01:37,363
where he has a directorship lined up.
25
00:01:37,685 --> 00:01:39,756
We cannot allow leaks to the City
26
00:01:39,845 --> 00:01:43,042
designed to increase one's
market value on retirement.
27
00:01:43,125 --> 00:01:45,275
This revolving door problem
must be dealt with.
28
00:01:45,365 --> 00:01:46,594
But the leak was inaccurate.
29
00:01:46,685 --> 00:01:49,916
That doesn't excuse it.
That makes it worse.
30
00:01:50,645 --> 00:01:52,477
And it caused the run
on the pound, remember?
31
00:01:52,565 --> 00:01:54,556
But it was done from
the best of motives.
32
00:01:54,965 --> 00:01:56,797
This loan from Kumranistan
33
00:01:56,885 --> 00:01:59,843
will help save your summit conference
at Lancaster House.
34
00:01:59,925 --> 00:02:02,041
His motive in leaking
was to feather his own nest.
35
00:02:02,125 --> 00:02:03,524
Full stop. Piss off.
36
00:02:07,005 --> 00:02:09,281
The country will love it. It's a winner.
37
00:02:09,485 --> 00:02:13,194
And it will remind Humphrey
who's running the country.
38
00:02:20,325 --> 00:02:22,760
Sir Humphrey, the PM wants
to talk to you again.
39
00:02:22,885 --> 00:02:24,478
Ugh. What is it now?
40
00:02:24,605 --> 00:02:28,041
I can't tell you. I am...
I was told it's a secret.
41
00:02:28,165 --> 00:02:30,395
Bernard, I am the one
who decides what's secret.
42
00:02:30,885 --> 00:02:33,001
But he intimated to me
that he sees himself
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as the proud successor to Pitt and Peel,
44
00:02:35,325 --> 00:02:37,601
to Gladstone and Disraeli and Churchill.
45
00:02:38,165 --> 00:02:41,237
He seems to think he's in charge
and we're just paid officials.
46
00:02:41,405 --> 00:02:42,554
Functionaries.
47
00:02:42,925 --> 00:02:44,040
Good God!
48
00:02:44,165 --> 00:02:48,124
It's not his business to interfere
in the way government is run.
49
00:02:48,885 --> 00:02:51,843
As the head of the Home Civil Service,
I am the true head of government.
50
00:02:52,045 --> 00:02:55,401
-But what's the Prime Minister then?
—Well, he's our marketing consultant.
51
00:02:57,565 --> 00:03:01,399
The party leaders pitch for our business
every four or five years, Bernard.
52
00:03:01,485 --> 00:03:03,920
And the electorate simply chooses
the mouthpiece of the moment.
53
00:03:04,045 --> 00:03:06,559
But politicians do have
their uses though, don't they?
54
00:03:06,645 --> 00:03:08,602
Yes, they make the case
for our policies on television
55
00:03:08,685 --> 00:03:10,119
better than you and I would.
56
00:03:10,205 --> 00:03:11,400
And when we write speeches,
57
00:03:11,485 --> 00:03:13,920
we need someone to read them out for us
in the House of Commons.
58
00:03:16,245 --> 00:03:19,397
But they come and 90, Bernard,
whereas we stay.
59
00:03:19,485 --> 00:03:20,805
Permanence is power.
60
00:03:20,885 --> 00:03:22,876
I'm really not sure
that's a good system.
61
00:03:22,965 --> 00:03:25,115
It's made Britain what she is today.
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00:03:25,805 --> 00:03:26,920
That's true.
63
00:03:27,005 --> 00:03:30,043
Ministers average 15 months
in their jobs, Bernard.
64
00:03:30,125 --> 00:03:32,480
And they're only
in their departments part-time.
65
00:03:32,885 --> 00:03:35,081
Their real job is getting re-elected.
66
00:03:35,165 --> 00:03:38,237
Their attention and skill,
well, such as it is,
67
00:03:38,325 --> 00:03:43,195
is focused on the House of Commons,
their constituencies, the media,
68
00:03:43,285 --> 00:03:45,003
and try to do down their opponents.
69
00:03:45,085 --> 00:03:48,715
Whereas we are here for 30 or 40 years.
70
00:03:49,645 --> 00:03:53,400
And we run a budget
of £600 billion, Bernard.
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00:03:53,485 --> 00:03:56,921
(CHUCKLES) It's quite obvious
who's actually running the country.
72
00:03:58,365 --> 00:04:00,356
Well, it's not obvious to the PM.
73
00:04:00,565 --> 00:04:03,079
Prime Ministers have a special talent
for missing the obvious.
74
00:04:03,445 --> 00:04:06,756
And this one is exceptionally gifted
in that regard.
75
00:04:07,885 --> 00:04:11,116
His capacity for self-deception
borders on genius.
76
00:04:12,005 --> 00:04:14,599
But the Prime Minister
is the democratically-elected leader.
77
00:04:14,765 --> 00:04:16,483
Oh, no, Bernard.
78
00:04:18,405 --> 00:04:22,638
Bernard, Prime Ministers are
the democratically-elected scapegoats.
79
00:04:24,365 --> 00:04:26,595
They are there to take the blame
on those rare occasions
80
00:04:26,685 --> 00:04:28,323
when we do something badly.
81
00:04:28,405 --> 00:04:29,918
But he makes policy decisions.
82
00:04:30,085 --> 00:04:33,282
Well, he makes policy decisions, yes,
but just trivial ones.
83
00:04:33,365 --> 00:04:36,118
If he's going to start doing real things
without our permission,
84
00:04:36,205 --> 00:04:37,559
he must be stopped.
85
00:04:38,765 --> 00:04:42,724
So your future, Bernard,
depends on your telling me his secret.
86
00:04:42,965 --> 00:04:44,638
Yes, Sir Humphrey.
87
00:04:45,445 --> 00:04:48,881
But I do have something else
you might find rather interesting.
88
00:04:48,965 --> 00:04:50,000
Well, go on.
89
00:04:50,085 --> 00:04:54,158
Well, it seems they've just discovered
another batch of MPs' expenses claims.
90
00:04:54,245 --> 00:04:55,724
—Yes.
—And some of them are
91
00:04:55,805 --> 00:04:58,445
from the Prime Minister
before he was Prime Minister,
92
00:04:58,525 --> 00:05:01,404
back when he was in Opposition,
after he was previously Prime Minister.
93
00:05:03,605 --> 00:05:04,675
And?
94
00:05:04,765 --> 00:05:07,644
And, well, um,
I'm not sure quite how to...
95
00:05:08,565 --> 00:05:11,637
Well, some of them are not
necessarily entirely, um...
96
00:05:11,725 --> 00:05:16,674
Well, they might be possibly construed
as, um, not completely honest.
97
00:05:17,765 --> 00:05:19,358
Really, Bernard?
98
00:05:21,405 --> 00:05:22,554
How shocking.
99
00:05:24,045 --> 00:05:25,274
Do tell me more.
100
00:05:25,925 --> 00:05:27,643
Well, it seems that for four years
101
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he claimed rental on a house
in his constituency.
102
00:05:30,725 --> 00:05:33,285
When, in fact, he actually
stayed at his parents' house
103
00:05:33,365 --> 00:05:36,835
—and sublet the constituency house.
—Ah.
104
00:05:36,925 --> 00:05:40,281
He failed to declare the rental income.
It's all here.
105
00:05:40,365 --> 00:05:42,925
Oh, this is terrible, Bernard.
106
00:05:44,325 --> 00:05:45,554
Yes, Sir Humphrey.
107
00:05:45,645 --> 00:05:48,159
If this got out, he'd have to resign.
108
00:05:48,245 --> 00:05:50,395
And this is tax fraud.
109
00:05:50,485 --> 00:05:51,998
That's prison.
110
00:05:52,725 --> 00:05:54,875
Anyway, he wants to see you now.
111
00:05:55,125 --> 00:05:56,399
Excellent.
112
00:05:56,885 --> 00:05:58,922
I want to see him now.
113
00:06:01,005 --> 00:06:05,283
Jim, just remember the old rule,
never corner the rat, it may bite.
114
00:06:05,405 --> 00:06:08,238
—Give him an escape route.
—He can't escape from this one.
115
00:06:08,325 --> 00:06:09,360
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
116
00:06:09,565 --> 00:06:10,964
He's coming.
117
00:06:12,165 --> 00:06:14,918
Ah, Humphrey. Do sit down.
118
00:06:19,445 --> 00:06:21,322
We've been talking about this leak.
119
00:06:21,525 --> 00:06:22,595
What leak, Prime Minister?
120
00:06:22,725 --> 00:06:25,285
About joining the euro.
Surely you've heard.
121
00:06:25,365 --> 00:06:27,003
It's all around the City, apparently.
122
00:06:27,085 --> 00:06:28,883
Oh, that, yeah, well.
123
00:06:30,605 --> 00:06:33,518
—What can you tell me about it?
—I, Prime Minister? Nothing.
124
00:06:33,605 --> 00:06:35,084
Except that I'm told
there all these rumours,
125
00:06:35,165 --> 00:06:36,314
it happens all the time.
126
00:06:36,405 --> 00:06:37,804
Oh, no, this is different.
127
00:06:37,885 --> 00:06:40,161
Hardly anybody knew about your plan
128
00:06:40,245 --> 00:06:42,805
and then Golding Brothers Bank
started buying up
129
00:06:42,885 --> 00:06:45,479
wads of euros this afternoon.
130
00:06:45,565 --> 00:06:46,794
Who tipped them off?
131
00:06:46,885 --> 00:06:49,081
Well, if anybody did,
we'll never find out.
132
00:06:49,285 --> 00:06:50,798
I think we will.
133
00:06:52,125 --> 00:06:54,321
Where did you have lunch yesterday,
Sir Humphrey?
134
00:06:54,405 --> 00:06:55,395
Oh, I don't remember.
135
00:06:55,485 --> 00:06:56,600
It was Le Gavroche, Sir Humphrey.
136
00:06:56,685 --> 00:06:57,914
Oh, yes.
137
00:06:59,725 --> 00:07:01,443
Thank you, Bernard.
138
00:07:02,245 --> 00:07:03,440
Le Gavroche. (LAUGHS NERVOUSLY)
139
00:07:03,525 --> 00:07:05,004
—Why?
—On your own?
140
00:07:05,085 --> 00:07:07,440
Do you know, I don't recall.
Who was it now?
141
00:07:07,525 --> 00:07:09,163
You don't remember that, either?
142
00:07:09,245 --> 00:07:10,565
One has so many lunches.
143
00:07:10,645 --> 00:07:12,682
One a day, in fact.
144
00:07:13,645 --> 00:07:14,840
Yes, yes.
145
00:07:14,965 --> 00:07:15,955
I understand.
146
00:07:16,045 --> 00:07:18,434
Bernard, ring Le Gavroche
and ask the head waiter
147
00:07:18,525 --> 00:07:20,163
who Sir Humphrey
had lunch with yesterday.
148
00:07:20,245 --> 00:07:23,442
Yes, now, now, I remember now.
It was some friends.
149
00:07:23,525 --> 00:07:25,084
—Who were they?
—Just friends.
150
00:07:25,165 --> 00:07:28,044
Not directors of Golding Brothers Bank?
151
00:07:28,245 --> 00:07:30,600
Prime Minister, one does not
cross examine one's friends
152
00:07:30,685 --> 00:07:33,074
as to which directorships
they may happen to hold.
153
00:07:34,045 --> 00:07:35,399
Well, we can easily find out.
154
00:07:35,525 --> 00:07:37,038
What is the point, exactly?
155
00:07:37,125 --> 00:07:41,278
The point is, there is bound
to be suspicion in cases like this.
156
00:07:41,365 --> 00:07:43,595
Well, I can't see why, Prime Minister.
157
00:07:43,685 --> 00:07:45,596
Surely you know the Civil Service
will always do
158
00:07:45,685 --> 00:07:47,278
what is best for the country.
159
00:07:47,405 --> 00:07:48,520
What about the government?
160
00:07:48,845 --> 00:07:51,155
Well, I presume
the government will, too.
161
00:07:51,685 --> 00:07:53,676
Humphrey, many people suspect
162
00:07:53,765 --> 00:07:56,234
the public officials are using
government information
163
00:07:56,325 --> 00:07:58,441
to get themselves directorships
164
00:07:58,525 --> 00:08:01,836
and lucrative quangos
for their retirement.
165
00:08:01,965 --> 00:08:05,117
I don't know how you could even
suggest such a thing.
166
00:08:05,205 --> 00:08:09,324
You think this suspicion is unfair
to loyal civil servants.
167
00:08:09,405 --> 00:08:10,520
Indeed I do.
168
00:08:10,605 --> 00:08:13,597
Well, I'm afraid I share
their suspicion.
169
00:08:13,685 --> 00:08:15,244
Perhaps I'm wrong.
170
00:08:15,325 --> 00:08:17,999
But, to be sure,
I have decided to go ahead
171
00:08:18,085 --> 00:08:20,679
with the Civil Service Reform Bill
after all.
172
00:08:20,765 --> 00:08:21,835
—What?
—Yes.
173
00:08:21,925 --> 00:08:24,314
I think you'll be very happy about this.
174
00:08:24,405 --> 00:08:27,921
It will include a ban
on any related jobs
175
00:08:28,005 --> 00:08:31,555
for civil servants for five years
after they retire.
176
00:08:31,885 --> 00:08:33,637
No revolving door any more,
177
00:08:33,725 --> 00:08:37,605
no paid directorships,
no paid consultancies.
178
00:08:37,885 --> 00:08:39,398
(STAMMERING)
179
00:08:40,245 --> 00:08:42,043
Prime Minister, this is absurd.
180
00:08:42,125 --> 00:08:43,718
Men of great wisdom, great experience,
181
00:08:43,805 --> 00:08:46,843
leading figures of their generation,
so much to offer.
182
00:08:46,925 --> 00:08:49,314
And they can offer it, Humphrey.
183
00:08:49,405 --> 00:08:50,839
Pro bono.
184
00:08:50,925 --> 00:08:52,199
That's Latin, Bernard.
185
00:08:52,445 --> 00:08:54,675
-Pro bono publico actually.
—Exactly.
186
00:08:55,365 --> 00:08:58,756
All that wisdom and experience
can be offered
187
00:08:58,845 --> 00:09:03,316
to the unpaid, voluntary sector,
Humphrey, for the public good.
188
00:09:03,405 --> 00:09:05,965
It will remove any temptation
189
00:09:06,045 --> 00:09:10,562
to betray government confidences
to commercial employers.
190
00:09:10,645 --> 00:09:12,761
That will be a relief, won't it?
191
00:09:12,845 --> 00:09:15,837
Well, it's never been a problem,
Prime Minister.
192
00:09:16,085 --> 00:09:17,405
We have a Clearance Committee.
193
00:09:17,485 --> 00:09:19,795
Everybody's new job
has to be approved by it.
194
00:09:19,885 --> 00:09:22,081
Who appoints the members?
195
00:09:22,165 --> 00:09:23,519
Oh, um...
196
00:09:25,085 --> 00:09:27,042
There is an established procedure.
197
00:09:27,285 --> 00:09:29,037
You appoint them, Sir Humphrey.
198
00:09:29,405 --> 00:09:30,554
Do I?
199
00:09:31,085 --> 00:09:33,440
(CHUCKLING) Oh, yes. So I do.
200
00:09:34,685 --> 00:09:36,039
Thank you, dear lady.
201
00:09:36,125 --> 00:09:37,843
I do. As it happens.
202
00:09:38,325 --> 00:09:41,841
We'll appoint
an independent Clearance Tsar.
203
00:09:41,925 --> 00:09:45,077
Oh, no, please, Prime Minister,
not another tsar.
204
00:09:45,165 --> 00:09:46,997
We need to bring outsiders in.
205
00:09:47,085 --> 00:09:49,235
I want a government of all the talents.
206
00:09:49,325 --> 00:09:50,474
The Civil Service acronym
207
00:09:50,565 --> 00:09:52,203
for Government Of All The Talents
is GOATS.
208
00:09:52,285 --> 00:09:53,605
Yeah.
209
00:09:55,805 --> 00:09:57,557
Thank you, Bernard.
210
00:09:58,685 --> 00:09:59,880
In the last three years,
211
00:09:59,965 --> 00:10:02,605
you've appointed an Enterprise Tsar,
a Youth Crime Tsar,
212
00:10:02,685 --> 00:10:04,676
a Welfare Tsar, a Pre-school Supremo,
213
00:10:04,765 --> 00:10:07,279
an Unemployment Watch Dog,
a Banking Regulator.
214
00:10:07,365 --> 00:10:09,356
Oh, a Science and Technology Supremo,
215
00:10:09,445 --> 00:10:11,561
and a Community Policing Tsar.
216
00:10:11,645 --> 00:10:14,717
If you go on like this,
you won't need a cabinet.
217
00:10:14,805 --> 00:10:16,443
—Perfect!
—SIR HUMPHREY: What...
218
00:10:17,125 --> 00:10:19,594
Perfect? Prime Minister,
we even have a Twitter Tsar.
219
00:10:19,725 --> 00:10:21,716
Her appointment was announced
as a tweet.
220
00:10:22,925 --> 00:10:24,518
Well, what is she supposed to achieve?
221
00:10:24,605 --> 00:10:27,074
None of these people have
ever achieved anything.
222
00:10:27,165 --> 00:10:28,883
They achieve their objective,
223
00:10:28,965 --> 00:10:32,117
at least 12 column inches
in every paper.
224
00:10:32,565 --> 00:10:34,522
Merely by announcing them,
it was achieved,
225
00:10:34,605 --> 00:10:37,597
it showed we were responsive,
we were doing something.
226
00:10:37,685 --> 00:10:39,278
And it shut the press up.
227
00:10:39,365 --> 00:10:40,799
—And it didn't cost anything.
—What?
228
00:10:40,885 --> 00:10:43,877
The Twitter Tsar earns £160,000 a year.
229
00:10:43,965 --> 00:10:47,003
Cheap at the price.
Headline news everywhere.
230
00:10:47,085 --> 00:10:48,155
It would have cost a lot more
231
00:10:48,245 --> 00:10:50,043
if we'd set them up
with offices and staff.
232
00:10:50,125 --> 00:10:52,639
But that would have meant
more index-linked pensions.
233
00:10:52,725 --> 00:10:54,398
Which is something else
234
00:10:54,485 --> 00:10:57,603
the Civil Service Reform Bill
will address.
235
00:11:00,605 --> 00:11:02,755
You're not really going to get rid
236
00:11:02,845 --> 00:11:05,280
of index-linked pensions,
Prime Minister?
237
00:11:05,365 --> 00:11:07,925
Prime Minister, you wouldn't want to
do that to the nurses, would you?
238
00:11:10,005 --> 00:11:11,234
Or the dedicated teachers,
239
00:11:11,325 --> 00:11:14,044
the courageous policemen,
the gallant firemen.
240
00:11:14,125 --> 00:11:16,196
The starving permanent secretaries.
241
00:11:17,845 --> 00:11:19,597
(LAUGHS MOCKINGLY)
242
00:11:20,885 --> 00:11:22,000
That is very droll.
243
00:11:22,205 --> 00:11:23,718
Uh, Prime Min... (STAMMERING)
244
00:11:23,805 --> 00:11:27,161
Actually, Prime Minister, I agree.
Yes, I agree.
245
00:11:27,245 --> 00:11:30,715
There are aspects of the organisation
and administration of the public sector
246
00:11:30,805 --> 00:11:33,319
which could certainly benefit
from measured consideration
247
00:11:33,405 --> 00:11:37,080
in the context of changing circumstances
and the structural metamorphosis
248
00:11:37,165 --> 00:11:39,236
precipitated by
the communications revolution.
249
00:11:39,765 --> 00:11:42,325
But it is important to bear in mind
250
00:11:42,405 --> 00:11:44,715
that the administrative
practical conditions of service
251
00:11:44,805 --> 00:11:46,603
have evolved over many years
252
00:11:46,685 --> 00:11:49,598
with manifold
and complex inter-relationships.
253
00:11:49,685 --> 00:11:51,596
So, any attempt to vary one of them
254
00:11:51,685 --> 00:11:53,756
could have serious
and unforeseeable effects
255
00:11:53,845 --> 00:11:56,155
and unpredictable repercussions
on others.
256
00:11:56,245 --> 00:11:58,316
So, to that effect, I...
257
00:11:59,325 --> 00:12:03,114
I would suggest setting up a series of
interdepartmental committees...
258
00:12:03,205 --> 00:12:04,843
Nope.
259
00:12:05,405 --> 00:12:06,520
No, Humphrey.
260
00:12:06,605 --> 00:12:09,358
No time for
interdepartmental committees.
261
00:12:09,445 --> 00:12:13,678
But there is one other change
I'd welcome your views on.
262
00:12:13,805 --> 00:12:14,954
Hmm, Prime Minister?
263
00:12:15,045 --> 00:12:19,039
Would you call yourself a generalist
with your degree in classics?
264
00:12:19,245 --> 00:12:21,839
Oh, yes, indeed, I would.
It's a first-class degree, actually.
265
00:12:22,165 --> 00:12:24,679
—Me, too.
—Claire got a double first.
266
00:12:25,085 --> 00:12:28,521
Claire, tell Sir Humphrey what your
PhD thesis at Cambridge was all about.
267
00:12:28,645 --> 00:12:31,876
It was called Civil Service,
The Pretence and the Practice.
268
00:12:34,085 --> 00:12:35,314
Very impressive, good lady.
269
00:12:35,405 --> 00:12:38,204
It was published
by the university press.
270
00:12:38,285 --> 00:12:39,275
What a pity.
271
00:12:39,365 --> 00:12:42,517
The publishers seem to be
struggling to survive nowadays.
272
00:12:42,605 --> 00:12:43,834
I wonder why?
273
00:12:44,765 --> 00:12:47,678
Claire has thought of a way
to improve the Civil Service.
274
00:12:47,765 --> 00:12:48,994
That's impossible.
275
00:12:50,005 --> 00:12:52,394
—To improve the service?
—Or that I thought of a way?
276
00:12:53,965 --> 00:12:59,119
The point is, I was over at
the Ministry of Defence last week.
277
00:12:59,205 --> 00:13:01,719
If tod them rather impressive,
don't you?
278
00:13:01,965 --> 00:13:03,080
Well, I do.
279
00:13:03,165 --> 00:13:05,520
And what was really impressive was
280
00:13:05,605 --> 00:13:08,484
they actually knew
what they were talking about.
281
00:13:09,165 --> 00:13:11,918
They were qualified professionals,
282
00:13:12,005 --> 00:13:16,920
soldiers, generals, admirals,
experienced commanders.
283
00:13:17,005 --> 00:13:19,918
Now, all our other government
departments are staffed
284
00:13:20,005 --> 00:13:25,478
by historians,
literature graduates, classicists.
285
00:13:25,565 --> 00:13:28,364
Ah, excellent.
Men with the wisdom of the ages.
286
00:13:28,445 --> 00:13:31,164
No, Humphrey! Amateurs!
287
00:13:32,125 --> 00:13:34,082
—Amateurs?
—We should have teachers
288
00:13:34,165 --> 00:13:35,803
at the Department of Education.
289
00:13:35,925 --> 00:13:38,121
Doctors and nurses at
the Department of Health.
290
00:13:38,325 --> 00:13:40,601
Accountants and actuaries
at the Treasury.
291
00:13:40,805 --> 00:13:44,480
Experts! People who actually know
what needs to be done!
292
00:13:44,565 --> 00:13:47,956
I think that would be
very dangerous, Prime Minister.
293
00:13:49,645 --> 00:13:52,637
I want advice from real people,
294
00:13:53,045 --> 00:13:56,197
who are living in the real world,
doing the real jobs.
295
00:13:56,285 --> 00:13:58,162
Prime Minister, you are striking
296
00:13:58,245 --> 00:14:00,441
at the very heart
of our whole system of government.
297
00:14:00,525 --> 00:14:05,122
Our success is founded upon staying free
from the taint of professionalism
298
00:14:07,085 --> 00:14:09,076
and the corruption
of specialist knowledge.
299
00:14:09,165 --> 00:14:10,314
You're not seriously going to...
300
00:14:11,805 --> 00:14:13,239
You wouldn't... Would he, Bernard?
301
00:14:13,365 --> 00:14:14,435
(MOUTHING)
302
00:14:15,325 --> 00:14:17,043
I would.
303
00:14:17,285 --> 00:14:20,641
Well, before you go any further,
Prime Minister,
304
00:14:20,725 --> 00:14:23,478
I have another problem.
305
00:14:23,565 --> 00:14:26,921
—You have another problem?
—Yes, Prime Minister.
306
00:14:27,085 --> 00:14:31,283
Oh, poor old Humphrey,
not your day, is it?
307
00:14:32,205 --> 00:14:33,434
No, indeed.
308
00:14:35,405 --> 00:14:36,998
Come on, then, out with it.
309
00:14:37,085 --> 00:14:39,076
Well, it's about MPs' expenses.
310
00:14:39,165 --> 00:14:40,439
I thought that was all over.
311
00:14:40,525 --> 00:14:43,165
Well, the Treasury auditors
have come up with another batch
312
00:14:43,245 --> 00:14:44,758
earlier than the ones
that have been published.
313
00:14:44,845 --> 00:14:47,200
Not a problem,
we deal with them like the last lot.
314
00:14:47,285 --> 00:14:49,401
Even if it means
more criminal prosecutions?
315
00:14:49,485 --> 00:14:52,557
Humphrey, if people break the law,
they have to take the consequences.
316
00:14:53,965 --> 00:14:56,195
—Even if it was some time ago?
—Of course.
317
00:14:56,365 --> 00:14:59,517
And even if some of the offenders have
now reached positions of eminence?
318
00:14:59,645 --> 00:15:02,763
—That depends.
—No, Claire, it doesn't.
319
00:15:02,845 --> 00:15:05,041
The law is no respecter of persons.
320
00:15:05,125 --> 00:15:08,481
Prime Minister, there are sometimes
extenuating circumstances...
321
00:15:08,645 --> 00:15:11,159
No, if people do wrong,
322
00:15:11,245 --> 00:15:13,361
they have to be punished
without fear or favour,
323
00:15:13,445 --> 00:15:16,164
no matter who they are
or how long ago it happened.
324
00:15:16,245 --> 00:15:19,203
—Does that solve your problem, Humphrey?
—No.
325
00:15:20,405 --> 00:15:21,884
Not entirely, Prime Minister.
326
00:15:21,965 --> 00:15:24,605
—Prime Minister, I really must...
—Quiet, Claire.
327
00:15:25,525 --> 00:15:29,405
Well, one of the claims
is clearly fraudulent and very large.
328
00:15:29,485 --> 00:15:33,877
It concerns an Opposition MP who claimed
the rental of a home in his constituency
329
00:15:33,965 --> 00:15:36,957
whereas he actually
stayed with his parents.
330
00:15:38,125 --> 00:15:39,638
He sublet the house
331
00:15:39,725 --> 00:15:42,319
and he pocketed the rental
without declaring it.
332
00:15:46,245 --> 00:15:49,920
—An Opposition MP?
—Well, he was in Opposition then.
333
00:15:50,205 --> 00:15:52,116
He's in government now.
334
00:15:53,005 --> 00:15:55,519
Not to put too fine a point on it,
Prime Minister,
335
00:15:55,605 --> 00:15:57,004
he's the Prime Minister,
336
00:15:58,165 --> 00:15:59,803
Prime Minister.
337
00:16:00,965 --> 00:16:02,285
It's all here.
338
00:16:04,445 --> 00:16:05,719
Ah, yes.
339
00:16:06,725 --> 00:16:09,797
Well, no, this... Uh, this is...
340
00:16:10,165 --> 00:16:15,080
I mean, you have to understand this,
this was years ago.
341
00:16:15,685 --> 00:16:17,642
Yes, but within
the statute of limitations.
342
00:16:17,725 --> 00:16:20,877
No, no, you don't understand,
there was... There was terrific pressure
343
00:16:20,965 --> 00:16:23,115
not to raise MPs' salaries,
344
00:16:23,205 --> 00:16:26,436
so the whips encouraged us
to find other ways.
345
00:16:26,525 --> 00:16:29,961
Everybody was doing it.
It was a sort of gentlemen's agreement.
346
00:16:30,045 --> 00:16:32,400
So, you're happy for me to release this?
347
00:16:32,485 --> 00:16:33,759
No!
348
00:16:34,805 --> 00:16:36,716
No, people wouldn't understand,
349
00:16:36,805 --> 00:16:39,877
and the press always make a meal
of this sort of thing.
350
00:16:39,965 --> 00:16:42,400
Yes, but you do see
my problem, Prime Minister.
351
00:16:42,485 --> 00:16:47,002
I mean, you command my complete loyalty.
I am your servant.
352
00:16:47,085 --> 00:16:48,917
But the law is the law.
353
00:16:49,005 --> 00:16:51,235
And the law concerning
being an accessory
354
00:16:51,325 --> 00:16:55,284
to a criminal act is very clear.
355
00:17:01,165 --> 00:17:04,123
—Is this a photocopy?
—Yes.
356
00:17:07,925 --> 00:17:10,235
It does put me in a very difficult
position, Prime Minister.
357
00:17:11,085 --> 00:17:12,155
I see.
358
00:17:12,365 --> 00:17:15,084
Prime Minister, may I have
a word with you in private?
359
00:17:15,925 --> 00:17:17,359
Oh, oh, yes.
360
00:17:17,445 --> 00:17:19,675
Um... Would you
excuse us please, Humphrey?
361
00:17:19,925 --> 00:17:23,236
Oh, yes. And the reform
to the Civil Service Bill?
362
00:17:23,325 --> 00:17:25,521
-You'll think about it.
—I'll think about it.
363
00:17:26,925 --> 00:17:28,962
Thank you, Prime Minister.
364
00:17:31,205 --> 00:17:32,764
Him, too.
365
00:17:32,845 --> 00:17:34,518
Really? Um...
366
00:17:34,965 --> 00:17:37,957
Bernard, Claire and I
are having a private word.
367
00:17:38,085 --> 00:17:39,234
Fine.
368
00:17:41,965 --> 00:17:44,559
Yes, it won't be private
until you've actually gone.
369
00:17:46,125 --> 00:17:47,399
Oh, I see.
370
00:17:47,485 --> 00:17:49,601
I thought that as I was your
Principal Private Secretary,
371
00:17:49,685 --> 00:17:50,755
I was privy to...
372
00:17:50,845 --> 00:17:53,234
-Oh, get out, Bernard!
—Yes, Prime Minister.
373
00:17:54,805 --> 00:17:57,194
—(DOOR CLOSES)
—Claire, what am I going to do?
374
00:17:57,285 --> 00:17:59,561
If I go ahead with Civil Service Reform,
375
00:17:59,645 --> 00:18:02,922
he'll spill the beans
about my expenses claims.
376
00:18:03,005 --> 00:18:04,075
It's blackmail.
377
00:18:04,165 --> 00:18:06,725
I think Humphrey would call it
a negotiating position.
378
00:18:06,805 --> 00:18:10,002
It isn't.
I'm not in a position to negotiate.
379
00:18:10,085 --> 00:18:11,314
I think you are.
380
00:18:11,405 --> 00:18:13,681
I told you I was
looking into Humphrey's affairs.
381
00:18:13,765 --> 00:18:16,598
Jim, have you ever heard of
Government Procurement Cards?
382
00:18:16,685 --> 00:18:17,914
No. What are they?
383
00:18:18,045 --> 00:18:19,558
They're just ordinary
credit cards really,
384
00:18:19,645 --> 00:18:21,556
except for the government
picks up the tab.
385
00:18:21,765 --> 00:18:24,484
Used by civil servants
for government purchases.
386
00:18:24,685 --> 00:18:27,643
You mean stationery,
rail fares, that sort of thing?
387
00:18:27,725 --> 00:18:29,045
In theory.
388
00:18:30,125 --> 00:18:31,195
And in practice?
389
00:18:31,285 --> 00:18:35,597
In practice, there are bills
from pubs, pizza parlours,
390
00:18:35,685 --> 00:18:40,122
karaoke bars, gift websites,
visits to Tesco.
391
00:18:40,325 --> 00:18:43,397
—Using public money?
—For private purchases, yes.
392
00:18:43,605 --> 00:18:45,596
And the person
ultimately responsible for this
393
00:18:45,685 --> 00:18:47,915
is the head of the Civil Service.
394
00:18:48,485 --> 00:18:49,759
BOTH: Humphrey!
395
00:18:50,725 --> 00:18:54,480
So, naturally, I checked
his personal Procurement Card.
396
00:18:55,405 --> 00:18:56,804
Naturally.
397
00:18:59,085 --> 00:19:00,917
Why didn't you tell me till now?
398
00:19:01,005 --> 00:19:04,919
I dint want to corner the rat,
but now that it's bitten you,
399
00:19:05,005 --> 00:19:07,360
I think we have no choice
but to kill it.
400
00:19:09,005 --> 00:19:11,645
Haslemere Riding School?
401
00:19:11,965 --> 00:19:13,239
His daughter likes horses.
402
00:19:13,925 --> 00:19:17,156
Thank you, Claire.
You are indispensable.
403
00:19:18,125 --> 00:19:21,243
I think we might have word
with him about this.
404
00:19:23,485 --> 00:19:26,762
Bernard, could you and Humphrey
come back in here, please?
405
00:19:27,565 --> 00:19:28,919
If you look on this page here,
406
00:19:29,005 --> 00:19:31,360
you'll find some
very interesting statistics
407
00:19:31,445 --> 00:19:33,482
about the whole
Procurement Card business.
408
00:19:33,965 --> 00:19:37,162
Extraordinary! I had no idea.
409
00:19:37,245 --> 00:19:38,394
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
410
00:19:38,485 --> 00:19:39,919
Ah!
411
00:19:40,005 --> 00:19:42,076
You wanted a word, Prime Minister?
412
00:19:42,445 --> 00:19:45,119
Well, really I want your help.
413
00:19:46,325 --> 00:19:49,158
Well, that could be difficult.
This is a serious criminal matter.
414
00:19:49,325 --> 00:19:51,441
Are you by any chance referring
to my expenses?
415
00:19:51,645 --> 00:19:53,522
Well, yes,
that is what we were discussing.
416
00:19:53,605 --> 00:19:55,755
Just to digress for a moment.
417
00:19:56,205 --> 00:20:01,120
Um, I want your help in understanding
Procurement Cards.
418
00:20:01,325 --> 00:20:05,558
Oh, well, they're just government
credit cards for official purchases.
419
00:20:05,765 --> 00:20:08,439
—How many civil servants have them?
—A few hundred, maybe.
420
00:20:08,525 --> 00:20:12,075
Well, if you include local government,
maybe getting on to 1,000.
421
00:20:12,285 --> 00:20:14,561
And how much is spent on them, roughly?
422
00:20:14,685 --> 00:20:16,278
Oh, a few hundred thousand, maybe.
423
00:20:16,365 --> 00:20:17,480
According to my information
424
00:20:17,565 --> 00:20:21,604
there are 140,000 Procurement Cards
circulating within the public sector.
425
00:20:21,965 --> 00:20:24,434
I can't imagine where
you got that figure.
426
00:20:24,525 --> 00:20:26,482
I got it from
the Controller—General's office.
427
00:20:27,045 --> 00:20:29,798
Oh, well, then, of course, yes.
Well, it...
428
00:20:30,805 --> 00:20:33,001
I mean, yes...
That really is surprising.
429
00:20:33,085 --> 00:20:35,918
—Did it surprise you, Bernard?
—No, Sir Humphrey.
430
00:20:37,125 --> 00:20:38,843
Well, it surprises me.
431
00:20:39,085 --> 00:20:42,760
But the annual cost is rather more
than a few hundred thousand pounds.
432
00:20:42,845 --> 00:20:45,359
Oh, well, if you include everything,
I suppose, at the end of the day
433
00:20:45,445 --> 00:20:48,244
with one thing or another,
it could be getting on for, um...
434
00:20:48,325 --> 00:20:50,123
Um, maybe a million.
435
00:20:50,205 --> 00:20:52,515
—Rather more.
—Million and a half.
436
00:20:53,565 --> 00:20:54,999
Two million?
437
00:20:55,685 --> 00:20:58,404
—Surely not.
—A billion, Sir Humphrey.
438
00:20:58,605 --> 00:21:00,881
One thousand million pounds a year.
439
00:21:00,965 --> 00:21:03,400
I can't believe that.
Can you believe that, Bernard?
440
00:21:03,485 --> 00:21:05,203
Yes, Sir Humphrey.
441
00:21:06,525 --> 00:21:09,643
Well, I can't!
It just goes to show, doesn't it?
442
00:21:09,725 --> 00:21:11,921
What an expensive business
government is.
443
00:21:12,005 --> 00:21:13,484
—Certainly does.
—Yes.
444
00:21:13,565 --> 00:21:17,001
Stationery, office furniture,
electrical goods, legal services...
445
00:21:17,085 --> 00:21:21,283
Pubs, pizza parlours,
supermarkets, karaoke bars...
446
00:21:21,365 --> 00:21:22,639
Surely not.
447
00:21:22,725 --> 00:21:25,638
Oh, yes, Humphrey, they're all in here.
448
00:21:25,725 --> 00:21:27,716
Thousands and thousands of them.
449
00:21:27,805 --> 00:21:29,478
I'm shocked.
Aren't you shocked, Bernard?
450
00:21:29,565 --> 00:21:31,203
No, Sir Humphrey.
451
00:21:32,645 --> 00:21:36,479
But, Humphrey,
aren't you responsible for this?
452
00:21:36,565 --> 00:21:38,636
Well, yes, but you cannot
expect me to monitor
453
00:21:38,725 --> 00:21:41,239
every item on every Government
Procurement Card...
454
00:21:41,325 --> 00:21:44,681
Now, Prime Minister,
if this is an attempt to distract
455
00:21:44,765 --> 00:21:47,757
from the serious matter
of your dubious expenses claim...
456
00:21:47,885 --> 00:21:49,159
Certainly not!
457
00:21:49,245 --> 00:21:52,601
But you are expected to know about
a billion pounds' worth of expenditure
458
00:21:52,685 --> 00:21:53,880
by your officials.
459
00:21:54,085 --> 00:21:57,043
Oh, yes, of course, thank you very much
for reminding me, dear lady.
460
00:21:57,885 --> 00:22:01,116
Any fraudulent offenders
will be very severely dealt with.
461
00:22:01,205 --> 00:22:04,436
With the full rigour of Service
disciplinary procedures.
462
00:22:04,525 --> 00:22:06,323
—Certainly.
—And criminal charges,
463
00:22:06,405 --> 00:22:08,123
—where appropriate.
—Most certainly.
464
00:22:08,285 --> 00:22:09,434
Good!
465
00:22:10,885 --> 00:22:16,358
Because I've been looking
at your own Procurement Card spending.
466
00:22:16,965 --> 00:22:19,844
Those are confidential documents,
they're not for disclosure!
467
00:22:19,925 --> 00:22:21,962
They've been disclosed
at the Prime Minister's request.
468
00:22:22,045 --> 00:22:24,514
You seem to have charged
a lot of restaurant bills,
469
00:22:24,605 --> 00:22:26,118
very expensive restaurants.
470
00:22:26,205 --> 00:22:27,878
Yes, it's government hospitality.
471
00:22:27,965 --> 00:22:33,517
Club subscriptions, the MCC,
golf clubs, the Athenaeum.
472
00:22:33,605 --> 00:22:35,243
Well, I have to socialise
473
00:22:35,325 --> 00:22:38,078
with many important people,
in the national interest.
474
00:22:38,165 --> 00:22:41,635
Three cases of Château Margaux
from Berry Brothers Wine Merchants
475
00:22:41,725 --> 00:22:43,477
delivered to your home address.
476
00:22:43,565 --> 00:22:46,478
Two weeks for you and Lady Appleby
at a hotel in Deauville
477
00:22:46,565 --> 00:22:49,364
coinciding with your summer leave.
478
00:22:49,445 --> 00:22:51,482
Riding lessons in Haslemere.
479
00:22:51,565 --> 00:22:54,034
Orchids from Haslemere Florists Limited.
480
00:22:54,485 --> 00:22:56,442
CLAIRE: Let's get to the point,
Sir Humphrey.
481
00:22:56,525 --> 00:22:59,199
If you reopen the question
of MPs' expenses,
482
00:22:59,285 --> 00:23:03,597
you will, in fact, be joining the
Prime Minister in a career suicide pact.
483
00:23:05,925 --> 00:23:06,995
Do you want that?
484
00:23:07,165 --> 00:23:10,442
Dear lady, how could you
even suggest such a thing?
485
00:23:11,845 --> 00:23:13,802
I am the Prime Minister's
humble servant.
486
00:23:13,925 --> 00:23:15,438
—Therefore?
—Therefore,
487
00:23:15,525 --> 00:23:17,596
his interests are paramount
in my thoughts.
488
00:23:17,765 --> 00:23:18,880
Therefore?
489
00:23:19,365 --> 00:23:23,040
Well, therefore, while it is true
that, in principle,
490
00:23:23,125 --> 00:23:24,923
the activities and procedures
of government
491
00:23:25,005 --> 00:23:27,997
should be conducted with
unimpeachable transparency
492
00:23:28,085 --> 00:23:31,601
and, indeed, punished
with unmitigated vigour,
493
00:23:31,685 --> 00:23:34,438
it would be unrealistic
and, indeed, rather foolish
494
00:23:34,525 --> 00:23:38,120
to ignore the possibility that, under
the pressure of unforeseen events,
495
00:23:38,205 --> 00:23:41,004
circumstances and situations can arise
496
00:23:41,245 --> 00:23:45,239
in which the principle of transparency,
if too literally applied,
497
00:23:45,325 --> 00:23:47,714
could precipitate a series
of consequences
498
00:23:47,805 --> 00:23:50,718
which might not only cause
grave embarrassment to the government,
499
00:23:50,805 --> 00:23:54,594
but also inflict severe damage
on the national interest.
500
00:23:56,485 --> 00:24:00,115
Rendering it, therefore,
not only tactically expedient,
501
00:24:00,205 --> 00:24:03,163
but also politically advisable,
nay, indeed imperative,
502
00:24:03,245 --> 00:24:05,839
to suspend,
purely temporarily of course,
503
00:24:07,605 --> 00:24:10,119
the principle of universal freedom
of information
504
00:24:10,205 --> 00:24:13,596
and to withhold,
entirely in the public interest,
505
00:24:13,685 --> 00:24:17,076
information which might simultaneously
bring unwarranted disrepute
506
00:24:17,165 --> 00:24:18,360
on the affairs of state
507
00:24:18,445 --> 00:24:21,722
and unfairly undermine confidence
508
00:24:21,805 --> 00:24:24,684
in the probity and competence
of those to whom has been given
509
00:24:24,765 --> 00:24:27,075
the responsibility
for the conduct of affairs.
510
00:24:30,605 --> 00:24:32,482
Sweep it under the carpet, you mean?
511
00:24:32,565 --> 00:24:34,078
Oh, no, Prime Minister.
512
00:24:34,165 --> 00:24:36,361
Nothing should ever be swept
under the carpet.
513
00:24:36,445 --> 00:24:38,322
Merely held over till the time is ripe.
514
00:24:38,485 --> 00:24:40,954
He means sweep it under the carpet.
515
00:24:41,525 --> 00:24:43,562
Excellent advice, Humphrey.
516
00:24:43,845 --> 00:24:47,315
Because we still have
this ongoing crisis.
517
00:24:47,405 --> 00:24:50,124
We still need this loan
from Kumranistan,
518
00:24:50,205 --> 00:24:52,674
which you say has to be in euros,
519
00:24:52,765 --> 00:24:55,803
but, as you know, I won't join the euro.
520
00:24:56,125 --> 00:24:57,798
Well, if you don't, Prime Minister,
521
00:24:57,885 --> 00:24:59,922
and if Europe does not get this loan,
522
00:25:00,005 --> 00:25:03,839
it will be engulfed in a complete
financial meltdown.
523
00:25:03,925 --> 00:25:07,600
And the Civil Service Reform Bill,
what shall we do about that?
524
00:25:07,685 --> 00:25:09,642
Yes, I've been thinking about that.
525
00:25:09,725 --> 00:25:13,844
And, alas, I don't think you've got time
for it in this parliamentary session.
526
00:25:13,925 --> 00:25:15,040
No.
527
00:25:15,125 --> 00:25:19,722
No, not if our share of the
Kumranistani loan comes in pounds
528
00:25:19,805 --> 00:25:22,194
because we'd have to pass
a new Finance Act.
529
00:25:22,685 --> 00:25:28,283
But if it were to come in euros,
it would all be handled in Brussels,
530
00:25:29,165 --> 00:25:33,398
leaving us plenty of time
for Civil Service Reform.
531
00:25:38,125 --> 00:25:39,445
Ah!
532
00:25:40,765 --> 00:25:43,075
So, you mean, Prime Minister,
533
00:25:43,205 --> 00:25:46,482
that if the European Central Bank agreed
534
00:25:46,565 --> 00:25:50,479
that the monies could go
direct to the individual countries...
535
00:25:50,565 --> 00:25:52,636
In their chosen currency.
536
00:25:52,925 --> 00:25:56,714
Then Civil Service Reform
would go back on the back burner.
537
00:25:57,005 --> 00:25:58,075
SIR HUMPHREY: Ah!
538
00:25:58,165 --> 00:25:59,678
But you said they wouldn't agree.
539
00:25:59,765 --> 00:26:01,995
No, I said I didn't think they'd agree.
540
00:26:03,285 --> 00:26:05,515
—I could be wrong.
—Ah!
541
00:26:05,925 --> 00:26:07,563
Say that again.
542
00:26:13,165 --> 00:26:15,554
I said, I could be wrong.
543
00:26:16,725 --> 00:26:18,636
Leave it with me, Prime Minister.
544
00:26:20,325 --> 00:26:21,554
Bernard.
545
00:26:23,565 --> 00:26:25,476
Well played, Jim.
546
00:26:29,085 --> 00:26:31,838
Oh, Gerhard. Can you spare a moment?
547
00:26:31,925 --> 00:26:33,245
Of course.
548
00:26:34,805 --> 00:26:37,763
It's about this Kumranistan loan.
549
00:26:37,885 --> 00:26:39,284
You know what I think.
550
00:26:39,365 --> 00:26:42,357
It's a lifeline for Europe and your
absurd government is blocking it.
551
00:26:43,125 --> 00:26:46,595
You think Humphrey can
square the European Central Bank?
552
00:26:46,685 --> 00:26:49,074
I think so. He'll be talking to
Gerhard Muller right now.
553
00:26:49,165 --> 00:26:51,759
The President of the ECB, he's here?
554
00:26:51,845 --> 00:26:54,758
Yes, to complete the arrangements
with Mr Aitikeev.
555
00:26:55,165 --> 00:26:58,635
—Could you go ahead without us?
—I don't see how.
556
00:26:58,845 --> 00:27:01,485
The Kumranistanis want a guarantee
of British oil purchases.
557
00:27:01,565 --> 00:27:03,954
You have over 60 million people
in your country.
558
00:27:04,045 --> 00:27:07,322
And the loan must be in euros?
559
00:27:07,605 --> 00:27:09,596
But it was you who insisted on that.
560
00:27:10,965 --> 00:27:13,081
It would be a major step towards
a United States of Europe,
561
00:27:13,165 --> 00:27:14,485
which you and I have always wanted.
562
00:27:14,565 --> 00:27:18,923
Well, yes, but the Prime Minister
won't go along with it.
563
00:27:19,165 --> 00:27:20,883
Then get another Prime Minister.
564
00:27:20,965 --> 00:27:23,400
Can't do that tonight, Gerhard.
Be reasonable.
565
00:27:23,485 --> 00:27:24,555
Well, I don't see why not.
566
00:27:24,645 --> 00:27:27,285
Most of his cabinet want the job.
They've all mentioned it to me.
567
00:27:27,365 --> 00:27:29,800
The Home Secretary,
the Foreign Secretary, the Chancellor.
568
00:27:29,885 --> 00:27:32,684
Yes, but none of them
will challenge him on this.
569
00:27:32,765 --> 00:27:35,598
We still have some elements
of a democracy in Britain,
570
00:27:36,005 --> 00:27:37,484
alas!
571
00:27:38,365 --> 00:27:40,083
So, is Britain blowing the deal?
572
00:27:40,285 --> 00:27:43,596
Not if we can get our share of the loan
in sterling.
573
00:27:44,645 --> 00:27:46,636
Well, that's too bad.
574
00:27:46,725 --> 00:27:49,683
Jim Hacker is against all the principles
of the European super state.
575
00:27:49,765 --> 00:27:51,995
—Yes.
—His request is contrary
576
00:27:52,085 --> 00:27:53,678
to the whole spirit
of the European movement.
577
00:27:53,765 --> 00:27:55,563
—Yes.
—He is setting back,
578
00:27:55,645 --> 00:27:58,285
by years, Britain's
final integration into Europe.
579
00:27:58,365 --> 00:28:01,278
Yes, but 10 trillion dollars.
580
00:28:01,485 --> 00:28:02,555
Exactly.
581
00:28:02,805 --> 00:28:05,797
—So you agree.
—Of course. I have no choice.
582
00:28:05,925 --> 00:28:07,757
Do you have to square it
with any other countries?
583
00:28:07,925 --> 00:28:09,199
No, that would be anarchy.
584
00:28:09,285 --> 00:28:11,356
Brussels decides,
then everyone does what we say.
585
00:28:13,245 --> 00:28:14,474
That's how we do things in Europe.
586
00:28:14,845 --> 00:28:16,836
—I'm envious.
—Of course.
587
00:28:19,965 --> 00:28:22,684
In my opinion,
Humphrey was just trying it on.
588
00:28:22,765 --> 00:28:25,564
Ramping up pressure on you
to agree to the join the euro.
589
00:28:25,645 --> 00:28:28,842
So that's why he leaked his plans
to his banking chums.
590
00:28:28,925 --> 00:28:30,518
I doubt if he meant to.
591
00:28:30,605 --> 00:28:32,755
I expect he was just sucking up to them.
592
00:28:32,845 --> 00:28:34,324
Showing how useful he could be.
593
00:28:34,405 --> 00:28:36,760
He was probably horrified
when they started buying euros.
594
00:28:36,845 --> 00:28:39,997
He has going to have to do some
explaining to Gerhard Muller.
595
00:28:40,285 --> 00:28:41,400
He'll blame you.
596
00:28:42,525 --> 00:28:44,721
Prime Minister, I've just had a word
597
00:28:44,805 --> 00:28:46,716
with the head
of the European Central Bank.
598
00:28:46,805 --> 00:28:48,125
Yes. And?
599
00:28:48,205 --> 00:28:50,640
Well, it seems that
the alternative economic arrangement
600
00:28:50,725 --> 00:28:53,444
which you stipulated
could conceivably be accommodated
601
00:28:53,525 --> 00:28:55,562
within the current proposed formalities,
602
00:28:55,725 --> 00:28:59,798
as long as they can be diplomatically
and democratically resolved.
603
00:29:00,125 --> 00:29:01,877
Is that a yes or a no, Bernard?
604
00:29:02,805 --> 00:29:03,875
Yes, Prime Minister.
605
00:29:04,205 --> 00:29:05,957
Yes, it's a yes, or yes, it's a no?
606
00:29:06,045 --> 00:29:07,479
No, it's a yes, Prime Minister.
46005
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