I’ve just discovered that complete versions of both Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister are available on DVD. On to the wish list they go. And I recommend you follow those links and buy them yourself, too.

Question for discussion: Compare and contrast the political culture that gave us this series to the one that produced The West Wing.

The Yes Minister website throws up a classic dialog from the show on the value of opinion polls. Here it is:

Sir Humphrey: “You know what happens: nice young lady comes up to you. Obviously you want to create a good impression, you don’t want to look a fool, do you? So she starts asking you some questions: Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the number of young people without jobs?” Bernard Woolley: “Yes” Sir Humphrey: “Are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?” Bernard Woolley: “Yes” Sir Humphrey: “Do you think there is a lack of discipline in our Comprehensive schools?” Bernard Woolley: “Yes” Sir Humphrey: “Do you think young people welcome some authority and leadership in their lives?” Bernard Woolley: “Yes” Sir Humphrey: “Do you think they respond to a challenge?” Bernard Woolley: “Yes” Sir Humphrey: “Would you be in favour of reintroducing National Service?” Bernard Woolley: “Oh…well, I suppose I might be.” Sir Humphrey: “Yes or no?” Bernard Woolley: “Yes” Sir Humphrey: “Of course you would, Bernard. After all you told you can’t say no to that. So they don’t mention the first five questions and they publish the last one.” Bernard Woolley: “Is that really what they do?” Sir Humphrey: “Well, not the reputable ones no, but there aren’t many of those. So alternatively the young lady can get the opposite result.” Bernard Woolley: “How?” Sir Humphrey: “Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the danger of war?” Bernard Woolley: “Yes” Sir Humphrey: “Are you worried about the growth of armaments?” Bernard Woolley: “Yes” Sir Humphrey: “Do you think there is a danger in giving young people guns and teaching them how to kill?” Bernard Woolley: “Yes” Sir Humphrey: “Do you think it is wrong to force people to take up arms against their will?” Bernard Woolley: “Yes” Sir Humphrey: “Would you oppose the reintroduction of National Service?” Bernard Woolley: “Yes!” Sir Humphrey: “There you are, you see Bernard. The perfect balanced sample.”