The show centers on three primary characters whose interactions highlight the struggle for power and influence within the Department of Administrative Affairs (DAA):
: Sir Humphrey is known for long, grammatically perfect sentences that ultimately mean very little, a tactic used to avoid giving "straight answers to straight questions". Yes Minister
( Paul Eddington ): Initially the Minister for Administrative Affairs, Hacker is often idealistic but easily swayed by concerns about his public image, votes, and status. The show centers on three primary characters whose
( Nigel Hawthorne ): The Permanent Secretary of the DAA (and later Cabinet Secretary). He is a master of obfuscation, using complex language and bureaucratic maneuvers to maintain civil service control and prevent radical changes. He is a master of obfuscation, using complex
: Politicians, including Margaret Thatcher , famously praised the show for its accuracy, with some referring to it as more of a "documentary" than a comedy.
"Yes Minister" The Skeleton in the Cupboard (TV Episode 1982)