Satirical sitcom set in the office of a UK Cabinet minister, Jim Hacker MP, who struggles with Civil Service bureaucracy and political machinations as he tries to get on with government business.
The Rt Hon Jim Hacker, newly appointed Minister for Administrative Affairs, finds his idealism challenged from the start.
Jim receives an African President, who turns out to be a friend from his university days.
Jim attempts to initiate an economy drive within the Civil Service.
Sir Humphrey is concerned about a new National Integrated Database.
Jim Hacker MP is considering the introduction of identity cards.
Sir Humphrey is bothered by the controversy surrounding an endangered badger colony.
Jim seeks help from a banker when a pet project seems near to collapse.
Minister for administrative affairs Jim Hacker struggles to cut administrative staff in the Health Service.
Humphrey's old school network come in handy when he wants to scupper Jim's budget plans.
The minister is shocked to discover that his department is responsible for supplying all of the government's electronic surveillance equipment.
Jim discovers that the outcome of scientific reports can be manipulated if needs be.
The date of a cabinet re-shuffle coincides with Jim's appointment in Brussels.
Jim's eco-friendly policies are compromised when plans are hatched to turn a city farm into a Civil Service car park.
Hacker and Sir Humphrey are called to appear before a Select Committee looking into government expenditure, and Hacker must choose between toeing the party line and doing what the Civil Service want him to do.
Jim attempts to instigate a policy of sexual equality in Whitehall, much to Sir Humphrey's disapproval.
Jim's efforts to make local authorities financially accountable are thwarted by an interview with Ludovic Kennedy.
A normally efficient local council is late with some paperwork, and Sir Humphrey wants to make an example of them.
Jim's plans to expose bribery are cancelled when Bernard manages to get a valuable vase under-valued, because Mrs Hacker has her eye on it.
Jim takes on an unpopular role developing a national transport policy.
Jim faces opposition from all sides when he tries to expose a munitions deal.
Jim and Sir Humphrey clash over those pillars of British culture: art and football.
