Deborah Norton

The Government runs into a financial crisis just as MPs and top civil servants are due for a pay increase. Sir Humphrey relies on all his finest skills to push through his own claim.

True to the law that says people rise to the level of their incompetence, James Hacker MP, Minister for administrative Affairs, has ascended to the highest political office in the land. Fortunately for the country, however, his scheming adversary Sir Humphrey Appleby - now Cabinet Secretary - is more than willing to help him steer the unsteady ship of state through the perilous waters of government.

True to the law that says people rise to the level of their incompetence, James Hacker MP, Minister for administrative Affairs, has ascended to the highest political office in the land. Fortunately for the country, however, his scheming adversary Sir Humphrey Appleby - now Cabinet Secretary - is more than willing to help him steer the unsteady ship of state through the perilous waters of government.

The Government runs into a financial crisis just as MPs and top civil servants are due for a pay increase. Sir Humphrey relies on all his finest skills to push through his own claim.