"When I was writing the sequel Yes, Prime Minister in 1986, I went to the Daily Telegraph's offices in Fleet Street to read stories from 1956. I was curious to see how much things had changed. Guess what? They hadn't. The biggest story was about war in the Middle East (the Suez crisis). The government had lied about its Middle East adventure, which was an abject failure, and the truth was seeping out in spite of its attempt to suppress it."
"Soviet troops invaded Hungary, creating a refugee crisis in Europe. The special relationship with the US was in doubt because of Washington's disapproval of UK and French defence policy. Questions were raised about the impartiality and independence of the BBC. There was fear of inflation, and a plan to improve regional disparities. I could continue but you get the idea."
Yes Minister remained relevant because many political patterns and crises repeat across decades. 1956 news headlines mirrored modern issues: the Suez crisis, government deception, Soviet invasion of Hungary and refugee flows, strain in the UK–US relationship, concerns about BBC impartiality, inflation fears, and plans to address regional disparities. Recent events echo those themes: an education secretary promised legislation to protect free speech and academics, while hundreds of university teachers accused her of delaying action. Ministers' intentions often collide with departmental inertia; officials can obstruct policies to protect institutional priorities. Public caricatures of civil servants as bumbling mask their real intelligence and influence.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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