American Reacts Sir Humphrey's Trick for Pay Raise | Yes Prime Minister

[@Steve-gc5nt]

Why are they there at all? Yea, we ask ourselves that a lot too Connor.

[@steveturriff8530]

Backbenchers are all those MPs that aren't in the cabinet. The cabinet members sit on the front bench next to the PM.

[@lestermay5878]

Surely a junior minister (and others with ministerial rank not in the cabinet) is also not a backbencher?

[@steveturriff8530]

@@lestermay5878 You could be right but it's generally a term used simply to describe the ordinaries.

[@paulmidsussex3409]

@John Ashtone Ahh so Labour backbenchers is the same as opposition backbenchers?

[@stevefrost64]

@@steveturriff8530 Aka The Cannon Fodder!

[@RB747domme]

@John Ashtone opposition shadow ministers can also be on select committee too. And therefore have a relevance in day to day government.

[@Steve-gc5nt]

Politicians and their friends benefit from loopholes.

[@amysutt]

Backbenchers are mp's that don't have additional duties like leader of the house or education minister or a whip.

[@barrymarshall]

One of the funniest British comedies of all time. Sir Arnold, played by the late John Nettleton, is my favourite character.

[@kentthompson3836]

Each episode always ended with someone, usually Humphrey, saying 'Yes Prime Minister'

[@peadarruane6582]

In the UK, you have the Prime Minister and Cabinet who form the Government. MPs who aren't in the cabinet are 'back bencher'.

[@andreathompson7896]

In the UK parliament, any MP with a specific job in the government, eg Junior Minister for Health, Minister for Sports, etc, is considered to be a member of the Government. (there are about 200 of these jobs!). The opposition parties will usually nominate someone from their party to be a Shadow Minister for xyz, Although usually no junior shadow ministers. The Shadow ministers job is to question and debate with the actual minister for that department about the changes they are proposing, or raise issues. Any MP who does not have a government job, or a Shadow government job is considered to be a back bencher. They are MPs, elected to the House of Commons, and there to vote but with no specific role other than that. The front benches in the House of Commons are where the Ministers and Shadow Ministers sit. In the Conservative party, the back benchers have formed a group called the 1922 committee, and one of the roles of that committee is to receive letters of no confidence from their own party mps, about their own prime minister. When the 1922 committee has received enough letters then they call for a vote of no confidence. This happened last year with Boris Johnson. The 1922 committee is an interesting concept because it is all of the conserverative back benchers. Which means that they can actually wield some power or influence as a group, which they don't have as individuals... almost like a .... union. A government won't get a bill passed in parliament unless it can persude its back benches to vote in favour of the bill. MPs who are members of the government *have* to vote in favour of a bill, or resign from their role in that government, which means the back benchers are the ones that have to be persuaded. One way to get an annoying back bencher to be on-side is to dangle a government role for them as a carrot to tow the line. I can't remember all the plot lines from Yes Prime Minister but I'd be stunned if that wasn't one of them!

[@Ingleborough111]

Our late prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, was a fan of this show and said how true to life it was.

[@jakedee4117]

The "Firsts" "Seconds" and "Upper Seconds" was the system of grading degrees from British Universities. Sir Arnold saying a second from Oxford is equal to an upper second is just him being a snob. Of course there are people who see all the loop-holes but who really wants to close them ?

[@paulmidsussex3409]

I am pretty sure he feels a second from Oxbridge is superior to an upper second from somewhere else. Have you met someone from Oxbridge? or for that matter Durham or Imperial.

[@philmus1]

University degree grades, First - usually the top 5 or 10% of graduates, Upper Second (2:1) the next 10 to 15% of graduates, Lower Second (2:2) the next 10 to 15%, third - those who have scraped a degree. Oxford and Cambridge also issue double firsts to the very brightest graduates.

[@Ingleborough111]

On the radio a couple of years ago, they interviewed a Government official, who was talking about tax avoidance, and he said that companies employ some very clever accountants to find loopholes. I thought, so who in the Government was paid to write the rules and leave loopholes.

[@johnkemp8904]

‘Why are backbenchers there at all?’ This equates to Connor’s comment in another video when the diligence of Her late Majesty in attending to her red boxes was pointed out - ‘Why?’ Because they are essential parts of how our constitution works! It is a little like my saying ‘You already have a Senate, so why do you need a House of Representatives too?’

[@hildajensen6263]

Yes. And if you don't know the system, it is a reasonable question to ask, so you can get the explanation.

[@douglasthompson296]

Hi Connor, great to see you watched 2 parts of an episode this time. Now you realise how the full episodes have a start, middle and ending. You would do well to watch some full episodes away from the reaction constraints of YT for your private pleasure. You wouldn't regret a minute. The whole series is as relevant now as when it was first written. Cheers

[@TheVRSofa]

also, theres a few youtube short vides on how our parliment works, usa is almost the same. but backbenchers, are just people from a party who kinda lean towards the other party. so theyre hard to please.

[@benedict79ZG]

Back benchers are MPs (members of the Parliament) from the majority party not selected to be in the cabinet (executive). In UK all cabinet positions are selected from MPs. Selected are ministers, not selected are back benchers (because they are sitting behind the government)

[@bigbird2100]

Great video 👍 Yes satire or Good comedy can give a window into how the real world works .Prime minister Margret thatcher said the program was very close to fact in regards to the civil service.

[@philmus1]

Back benchers are MPS who are not ministers or who are not opposition equivalents e.g. the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Shadow Chancellor. The role of backbench MPs is to represent their constituents in parliament, scrutinise government policy, take part in debates, bring in private members bills, to question ministers and to sit on parliamentary committees e.g. the standards committee or the health committee

[@pogo930]

Great reaction. I love 'Yes Prime Minister', it's just as accurate a parody of politics today as it was when first produced. You should also take a look at some 'Bird and Fortune' clips, they are a little older than 'Yes Minister', but similar in many ways and very funny.

[@pauld201]

‘So why are they there at all?’ 😂 good question, I often ask that myself. 😂

[@ianwalker2250]

There are 650 elected Members of Parliament - from several political parties the main ones of which are Conservative (aka Republican), Labour (aka Democrat) and Liberal Democrat (aka - twits). The Leader of the party in government forms their "cabinet" of secretaries of state and government ministers from the pool of Members of Parliament who belong to the party in government, whilst the party in opposition forms their shadow cabinet from members of party belonging to their part.. Anyone who has not been given a ministerial (or secretary of state) roll is considered to be a "back bencher" (an ordinary Member of Parliament representing his/her/their constituents. These members of parliament always sit in the rearward benches - thus are back benchers.

[@pascalcoole2725]

I was watching a Yes Minister show yesterday and then it resembled me to how official reports are written. Just exactly like in this show.... pfff 50 years later and nothing has changed.

[@raycornford283]

'Firsts' and 'Upper Seconds' are levels of degree from universities. Back-benchers are the majority of MPs - those without a particular office

[@leehallam9365]

In the UK the government ministers are members of Parliament, they sit on the front bench. Opposite them sit the spokesmen for the Opposition, on the front bench on the other side. Those MPs on either side who haven't been picked by their leader to be Front Benchers are back benchers.

[@LeftLib]

In the UK we elect 650 Members of Parliament (MPs). The governing party has MPs who are ministers and they run the government departments and are considered to be running the government. The opposition party has MPs who are shadow ministers. These are senior positions in Parliament. Any MP who is not a minister or shadow minister - the vast majority - is a backbencher.

[@MisterChrisInTheUK]

Another little English vs. American English difference: In the UK it is a 'pay rise' rather than a 'pay raise'.

[@mlee6050]

I am English and to me it a pay raise but when you get a pay raise you ended up with a pay rise Pay raise when want more pay Pay rise when received it

[@garyloader1416]

I heard once that the Aussies thought this was a documentary.

[@petervenkman69]

Backbenchers are "normal" MPs, ones who don't have any special extra position such as a government minister or a shadow minister (an MP in the opposition who deals with the same subject as the minister but from the opposition's point of view. )

[@Ingleborough111]

A back bencher is an MP, but does not have a special job, like say an MP who is the Foreign Secretary does.. The special job people sit on the front bench in parliament as they are most likely to be asked questions

[@tbrooke3016]

Back bench mps are members of Parliament who don't have a cabinet position (in American terms like secretary of defense ect ect) and aren't a member of the oppositions shadow cabinet (in the UK the opposition has a cabinet with the same positions as the governments cabinet but those shadow ministers just say what they would have done without actually doing anything to try and show the virtues of the opposition over the government for the next general election when they hope to get elected)

[@katherineforbes9440]

As part of the Westminister system cabinet members are all members of parliament. Shadow ministers are members of the opposition who have responsibility for holding the government to account in the various portfolios. The other members are called back benches they represent individual seats but do not have special responsibilities for a department

[@PatrickBrown924]

"Firsts" and "upper seconds" are grades of university degrees. First class honours, upper second class honours (aka a 2:1), lower second class honours (aka a 2:2), third class honours.

[@gwaptiva]

2:2 aka a Desmond

[@knowledge-seeker-x7u]

(in the UK) a Member of Parliament who does not hold office in the government or opposition and who sits behind the front benches in the House of Commons.

[@stevefrost64]

Backbenchers = any MP who does not hold front bench (ministerial, shadow ministerial etc. rolls)

[@naqwnaqw3712]

The thick of it show is a modern version of the yes, minister/ prime minister shows

[@heliotropezzz333]

Sir Humphrey says 'pay rise' which is what we'd say in the UK.

[@johnharling5246]

It was so funny because it was so accurate.

[@adriancox2705]

Backbenchers are government MPs who don't have government positions (are not ministers or secretaries of state). In the House of Commons, those with government positions sit on the benches at the very front, while those MPs who don't have government positions sit on the back benches. The same is true of the opposition as opposition leaders appoint 'shadow' ministers who have a role of opposing the relevant minister.

[@alecbuxton5515]

The problem with loop holes in the government system is that it is someone in the government changes the rules so that they can just every so often change all the loop holes so it looks like they are cleaning up the system but in fact they are getting more but In a different way

[@shopldt538]

A back bencher is an Elected MP but has no position in a department. As in the are hundreds of MPs but only a few government offices. They still can speak to represent their area on issues. They still vote on government issues. They just dont have a position in the ministry of defense, education, home office, foreign office and and the other departments.

[@robertnairn7353]

Back benchers are the MPs that sit on the benches behind the member of the governments on the front benches near the dispatch box. if you watch London parliament you will see the prime minister and the leader of the opposition on the other side they are sitting on the front bench.

[@sykeassai]

If you have not figured it out yet. a Back Bencher is an elected member of Parliament which is a member for one of the larger parties but does not have an official position of any kind.

[@knowledge-seeker-x7u]

Firsts and Upper Seconds are the levels of Degrees you get at Oxford and Cambridge, etc.

[@Mike-rw2nh]

1:27 UK Uni Grading: 1st = A grade Upper 2nd = B grade Lower 2nd = C grade 3rd = D grade

[@thomasmount3530]

First and upper seconds are the best two possible marks for a degree from a british university.

[@colourfastt]

Both of them

[@grahamgresty8383]

one of the writers of these series was married to the daughter of a real prime minister (Harold Wilson)

[@newuk26]

What was so amazing about this show was it was all about politics, without being the slightest bit partisan. Labour or Conservative, you would find this funny. Absolute genius writing.

[@dnxls_]

So why are they there at all. Best reaction to: what is a backbencher? I ever heard

[@josefschiltz2192]

Note to Connor. You can still get the scripts for Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister so you can peruse from your bookshelf at leisure. Sherry? One must take care, however, not to imbibe too much. It does, if taken in moderation, add an air of class to proceedings. In addition to a well stocked library, an additionally large cellerage replete with the finest liquors does add to the well-cushioned life. Don't you agree?

[@jimmysaber]

Backbenchers are like freshman congressman

[@bearrichards2667]

It's funny because it's true. This is how the world is run.

[@CowmanUK]

As for political loopholes, consider this, as far as economics goes: The people that the governments employ to create rules about tax then pop off and work for accountants that charge a lot of money to use the loopholes they helped put into place. Quite often the politicians use those accountants too. Sometimes the politicians have shares in those accountancies. Nah, loopholes are part of the establishment. Oh, and backbenchers are Members of Parliament that were voted by their constituents (their local town voted for them!) to be their MP but do not hold any special positions within government (ministerial positions, for example Minister for Transport, etc) nor, if they are an opposition MP, are they in the Shadow Cabinet (opposition government in waiting) so therefore only exist to represent their constituents in Parliament... or more realistically do what they are told by those above them. Some backbench MP's are independent and are not representatives of any of the main political parties.

[@Seagull6819]

49 weeks notice - search on “Christmas at the Ministry” 😂😂😂

[@paulbromley6687]

Imagine what you suggested about closing loopholes would be a whole episode for Sir Humphrey realising how important loopholes are and are almost planned in to any new legislation as a way out should it go wrong.

[@mort8143]

Masters of comedy the Brits.

[@MENSA.lady2]

Yes Minister works because it had a brilliant script writer, Peter Jay. Peter was an insider. He was UK Ambassader to the USA and has first wife was the daughter of James Callaghan, the UK Prime Minister. His father was Baron Jay. How closely connected to you need to be. ?

[@Extra_050]

You asked what a backbencher was the last time you reacted to this clip! I also seem to recall the last time you referred to Sir Arnold Leese (the gentleman to whom Sir Humphrey goes at the beginning for financial advice) as "the Yoda of politics". This is more or less true- depending on whether, or to what extent, you see Sir Humphrey as the hero of the series. (If you don't, then, still using the Star Wars analogy, I suppose Sir Arnold is the Emperor to Sir Humphrey's Darth Vader.)

[@TheVRSofa]

so glad i saw this one haha, CLASSIC. its all real stuff as well, so the jokes arent really jokes here at all, upur 1000% right. we need this back on tv. XD haha, just the funny complexity of how corupt it all is

[@AlmosttheGoodlife]

Degree grades:- First (highest) 2:1 (top second) 2:2 (lower second) Third Fail

[@Bosspigeon230]

Backbenchers are elected MPs belonging to a party but hold no office in Government itself, no Office. So can be troublesome if they don't like what their party leadership is doing. Not least because they have no government position to lose. ie: they won't lose their job in cabinet for not following the wishes of the Cabinet. This is one way splits in Party's are expressed, given the wide spectrum that exists in all Parties.

[@paulbromley6687]

MPs who are simply back benchers represent their constituents (electorate) but don’t hold a job like Secretary of State for education or health where they head a department of government but all have a vote and are party members

[@newuk26]

This is basically the train drivers, on £70k a year hiding behind the cleaners on minimum wage

[@philipcochran1972]

Morals evaporate in the face of money and power

[@neilgriffiths6427]

Think of UK Backbenchers as Congressmen/Women who don't chair committees - not very powerful, until the whole House (yes, same word in the UK as the US) gets to vote. THEN you'll find that you - the government (elected representatives with real power) - had have to have kept them happy, or they won't support you, even if they are in your party...

[@horacesinclair1861]

Firsts and Upper seconds are grades of University degrees in England

[@jamesfisher1827]

Politicians love loopholes that work in their favour, as long as the plebs don’t find out.

[@jaccilowe3842]

Still asking what backbenchers are every time!!! 🤣

[@vaudevillian7]

He’s watched this video at least once before too

[@ruk2023--]

The reason we don't have a show like this on now is because nothing has changed.

[@peadarruane6582]

Those people to find the loopholes, they would be working for the civil service in the UK lol

[@DerrickWhittle-mm7jz]

Back bencher is like a congress person.

[@vallee3140]

good to see you Connor,and I love this ,and I am not usually interested in politics🤔

[@FrankCastlesConscience]

Backbenchers are 95% of the MPs. Only a small % of the ruling party become department ministers, backbenchers is just a slang word for MP.

[@josephcash218]

Back benchers are they to vote with the government to get policy or laws through the House of Commons

[@TheRealist2022]

A "first" and "upper second"....refers to the grade of the degree. A first class Degree, or an upper second class. Degrees go like this. First. Upper second class. Lower Second class. Third. A lower second class ( a 2:2) is often referred to as a "Desmond"...after The Late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Archbishop of South Africa. Tutu=2:2. Geddit?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[@benellis9665]

650 MPs. If one party has at least 326 then that forms a majority in the house and they become the government. Out of that minimum 326 there are about 100 government offices, and consequently there are the opposite offices for the opposition (known as the shadow). Government and shadow office holders sit on the front benches. Everybody else is a back bencher.

[@garyford3533]

a minister is a politician

[@kimbirch1202]

If those in power didn't find loopholes, they wouldn't be in positions of power to ignore them

[@cpnlsn88]

The government is made up of ministers who are chosen from sitting MPs. These sit on the front benches. Likewise the Opposition has shadow ministers for each position who likewise sit on the opposing front benches. Those not on the front bench are back benchers. Why are they there? They are MPs but because they're not in the government can have more leeway in their voting - a government needs the votes of its backbenches. Reasons for being a back bencher? People too junior to be a minister; people who have resigned from the government; people who have been sacked from the government (but are still MPs) and more independent-minded MPs who want to speak out against a particular government line (rebels). Also some back benchers take up senior positions in select committees which they prefer to do as opposed to be in the government or the Opposition front bench. Being in the government or Opposition front bench means accepting collective responsibility so if you have a disagreement that you can't somehow suppress you need to leave the government (by resigning) in which case you'd join the back benches.

[@ruk2023--]

Backbenchers are members of parliament who don't have a position in government. They contribute to votes on issues and can bring up issues raised by their constituents. You know how you have hundreds of congressmen and senators but they don't all have day jobs that are directly involved in running the government like being in the cabinet? They would be your backbenchers.

[@duncanmit5307]

💜👍💜👍💜 great show.... But. So true😀😂😂😂

[@JohnDuffy-bq8wg]

Yes they do have people to look into fraud in politics, I believe they are from a civil service department, I think they are forming a committee at the moment, for a long and in depth review

[@skellzzed8255]

Could you do a reaction to Jose Mourinho Funny Press Conference Moments??

[@vaughanellis7866]

If this program was offered to the BBC today the woke management would refuse it as it is too close to the truth of how government runs. And heaven forbid they upset MP's when the TV Licence is coming up for review.

[@MrDaiseymay]

Back bencher's are not in the government, but they vote on any legistration because they are part of the ruling Party.

[@knowledge-seeker-x7u]

Members of P are elected by the constituencies.

[@davidmarsden9800]

It's actually happening now. Times never change, Britain is like it's back in the 1970s again currently.

[@stevenredacted1322]

You seemed a bit co fused by “firsts and upper seconds” those are uk university grades you can get on diplomas.

[@RB747domme]

I don't really understand what you mean by why are they there? ..They have been voted in as a member of parliament. I don't get your point?

[@Richardturpentine]

Loopholes used by the wealthy absolutely

[@derrickwhittle9012]

Back benches regular MPs no ministerial mandate. Like a more powerful congress person.

[@derrickwhittle9012]

A first is the highest score you can get for the end of your whole collage time I got a 2:2 not a first.

[@wessexdruid7598]

As in, a first _class_ honours degree. Seconds are divided into upper and lower second (i.e. 2.1 & 2.2). Then there is a third - allegedly the mark of a wider education than just studying...

[@nedludd7622]

There was an American political satire series "Spin City". It was good, but not up to this level. As to your presentation, "uh" is not the only problem. You need to get rid of "like" which is used nine times out of ten when it means nothing. It is another way of saying "uh".

[@MrSheepytoo]

Are you out of your mind, close the loopholes?.... Really? The foxes are guarding the hen house, you'll get more loopholes not less

[@peterdauda3351]

Political philosophy or political satire?

[@colinwilson4658]

FARE FROM CLOSING LOOPHOLES governments add them to tax law so wealthy people will donate to them

[@yottaforce]

You seem to forget this is just a comedy. IT'S NOT REAL!

[@maxmoore9955]

HOW YOUR GOVERNMENT WORKS , AND OURS JUST SWAP LONDON FOR WASHINGTON DC.

[@ilesalmo7724]

Closest to today's version of this is Veep, but not nearly as funny

[@heperile]

joke at 1:31 reference to university degrees in UK en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_undergraduate_degree_classification