The master is of course the cabinet secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, one of the greatest characters ever to appear on TV. Yes, Minister and its sequel Yes, Prime Minister are British television shows that were broadcast between 1980 and 1988. Sir Humphrey is machiavellian and delights in the exercise of power. At last he is in a position of power and can carry out some long-needed reforms, or so he thinks.

Sir Humphrey The European Council’s membership consists of the heads of member states while the Council of the European Union, on the other hand – which is often still referred to as the Council of Ministers – is the real voice of EU member governments, adopting EU laws and coordinating EU policies. Sir Humphrey Appleby: "You see, the British foreign office has had the same basic goal for at least the last five hundred years, and that is to create a disunited Europe. The Right Honorable James Hacker has landed the plum job of Cabinet Minister to the Department of Administration. Standing before the desk, sedately (as usual) is the PM’s Private Secretary, Bernard Woolley.

The Minister has been in talks with the European Commissioner about …

Sir Humphrey Appleby speaks on the Foreign Office, Europe, and British foreign policy The text below is from the Yes Minister episode "The Writing on the Wall" (Series One #5 – first BBC broadcast March 24, 1980).

I need him. Sir Humphrey Appleby: For the same reason. All episodes were written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn.The principal cast is as follows: Paul Eddington – The Right Honourable James Hacker MP; Nigel Hawthorne – Sir Humphrey Appleby; Derek Fowlds – Bernard Woolley Sir Humphrey: Minister, Britain has had the same foreign policy objective for at least the last 500 years: to create a disunited Europe. In that cause we have fought with the Dutch against the Spanish, with the Germans against the French, with the French and Italians against the Germans, and with the French against the Germans and Italians. Brexit is a mess – what would Yes Minister’s Sir Humphrey do? Sir Humphrey has made a long career out of confusing and manipulating Ministers, and Jim Hacker is to be no exception.

It starred Paul Eddington as the … Scene: the PM’s private office.

Jim Hacker: What appalling cynicism! The main characters were Jim Hacker MP - played by Paul Eddington - and Sir Humphrey Appleby, his Permanent Secretary, played by Nigel Hawthorne. Sir Humphrey Appleby: “It is just like the United Nations in fact.

Slowly though the unthinkable evolves, Hacker, with tacit aid from Wooley (who has dual allegiances), begins to exert some measure of authority. However, he has not accounted for Sir Humphrey Appleby, his Permanent Under Secretary. Prime Minister Jim Hacker at his desk, head in hands, worried (as usual). The more members it has, the more arguments it can stir up. It's just like the United Nations, in fact.

... the former permanent secretary at the Department for Exiting the European Union, chose loyalty to … We call it diplomacy, Minister.” ― Jonathan Lynn, The Complete Yes Minister Sir Humphrey Appleby: Yes. This episode is posted to give some insight into understanding the mind of Sir Humphrey Appleby as the 'Venetian way': This takes place as the technocrat Sir Humphrey Appleby is explaining Britain’s relationship with the European Union to Government Minister Jim Hacker. A clip from the 1980s BBC comedy 'Yes Minister' is being shared widely online in the wake of the EU referendum vote.

With Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds, Diana Hoddinott. The more members it has, the more arguments it can stir up, the more futile and impotent it becomes. Sir Oliver Robbins KCMG CB (born 20 April 1975) is a senior British civil servant who served as the Prime Minister's Europe Adviser and the chief Brexit negotiator from 2017 to 2019. Sir Humphrey Appleby: 'You see, the British foreign office has had the same basic goal for at least the last five hundred years, and that is to create a disunited Europe. Hacker: Where is Humphrey? When the Right Honorable Jim Hacker lands the job of Cabinet Minister he thinks he is, at last, in a position of power.