Yes, Prime Minister (TV Series)
The Ministerial Broadcast (1986)
Derek Fowlds: Bernard Woolley
Photos
Quotes
-
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.
-
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.
-
Jim Hacker : So let us be abundantly clear about this. We cannot go on paying ourselves more than we earn. The rest of the world does not owe us a living. We must be prepared to make sacrifices and... Who wrote this rubbish?
Bernard Woolley : You did, Prime Minister. It's one of your old speeches.
-
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.
-
James Hacker : [reading a speech written for him] "We shall of course be reviewing a wide range of options over the whole field of government expenditures." Bernard, this doesn't say anything.
Bernard Woolley : Oh, thank you, Prime Minister.
James Hacker : It's completely lacking impact.
Bernard Woolley : You're too kind, Prime Minster.
-
[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.
-
Sir Humphrey : Ah, Bernard. How is the Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury?
Bernard Woolley : Sleeping peacefully, Sir Humphrey.
