Yes, Prime Minister (1986-1988) & Yes, Minister (1980)
Yes, Prime Minister(1986-1988) & Yes, Minister(1980) Anyone who has served in government should appreciate this hilarious, multiple video BBC series on the inner workings of the British Civil Service. Nigel Hawthorne, as Permanent Secretary then Cabinet Secretary, is dedicated to protecting the Civil Service way of doing things against the often sensible instincts of his politically-appointed minister (then prime minister). Mr. Hawthorne expresses horror whenever his ‘boss’ wishes to make an independent decision. Though the American Civil Service is not a dominant as what is portrayed by Mr. Hawthorne and his cronies, as a Foreign Service Officer I remember being briefed on how to provide ‘damage control’ when working for a politically-appointed ambassador.
