Yes, Minister - Equal Opportunities (season 3, episode 1)

So, Kathy, the Prime Minister saw fit to invite one into the Cabinet and, well, here one is.

Isn't it a terrific responsibility?

I suppose, if one chooses to dedicate one's life to public service, responsibility is something one accepts.

- But all this power!
- I know, I know!

Frightening sometimes.
But it also makes one very humble.

There one sits at the Cabinet table, Number 10 Downing Street, and one realises
Bernard rang, O humble one.

Central House want you to watch a programme on BBC2.

Maureen Watkins, MP.
One of the backbench MPs.

Not my favourite lady.
A rampaging feminist.

I don't think I'll bother.
Don't write that down.

I like Maureen Watkins.

Don't you think that women are still the exploited sex?

All of us in 5B think that women are exploited at work and at home and still it's a world designed by men
and run by men for men’s convenience.

- Like she says.
- Not any longer, surely?

She doesn't carry any weight in the House.

No, it’s full of men.

Thank you.
Anything else you'd like to ask?

Just one last question.

As a minister with all this power, what have you personally achieved?

Achieved?
Oh, well, all sorts of things.

Membership of the Privy Council, the Party Policy Committee...

No, things you've done that makes life better for other people.

- Makes life better?
- Yes.

For other people?
There must be a number of things.

That's what one's job is all about.
18 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Could you give me examples?

- Makes it a bit boring otherwise.
- Examples.

Difficult to know where to start.

So much of government is collective decisions.

All of us together, best minds in the country, hammering it out.

But what will you look back on afterwards and say “I did that.”

You know, like a writer can look at his books.

Government is a complex business.
So many people have to have their say.

These things take time.
Rome wasn't built in a day...

Good heavens, is that the time?

I really must be getting my boxes.
Excuse me.

- Oh, thank you.
- Thank you so much.

Such fun, having this little talk.

And you'll let me approve the article, as we agreed?

- Bye.
- Bye.

Bright kid.

Last interview I give for a school magazine.

She asked some difficult questions.

Just innocent. She assumed there was some moral basis to your activities.

- Well, there is.
- Oh, Jim, don't be silly!

What are you sighing for?

I'm not sighing.

Out with it.

Well, what have I achieved?
She's right.

- It really does make you humble!
- I can't get any bills through.

- The time’s taken up for two years.
- Reform the Civil Servlce.

- Impossible. Catch 22.
- Why?

Supposing I suggested 50 terrific reforms, who would have to implement them?

The Civil Servlce.

All right, I tell you what.

Not 50 reforms, just one.

Huh! What?

If you achieve one import reform, that'd be something.

Get me in the record books!
What do you suggest?

Make them put more women into top jobs.

Women are half the population, they should be half the Permanent Secretaries.

How many women are there at the top?

Not many.

Equal opportunities.

I'll have a go.
After all, there's a principle at stake.

You're gong to do something out of pure principle?

- Yes.
- Oh, Jim.

Principles are excellent vote winners.

- We don't have to do anything?
- No.