How to be Home Secretary

Michael Cockerell's guide to the job of Home Secretary, where the incumbent is responsible for protecting the public from crime, running the security service, and directing government policy on nudist beaches, mad dogs and massage parlours. Transmitted on 24 January 1999.
Interviewees: current and former Home Secretaries Jack Straw, Douglas Hurd, Roy Jenkins, Michael Howard, Kenneth Clarke, Robert Carr, Kenneth Baker, David Waddington, Merlyn Rees; civil servants Richard Wilson and Sir Brian Cubbon.

[@insertclevername4123]

One can only imagine the strain that an attack on Number 10 would put on the government--nay, the nation itself. At that moment, what kind of serious-minded and steely-eyed determination must it take for the Home Secretary to help steady and guide his country to... 9:50 Never change, Ken. Never change.

[@Peter-ov6xh]

If Jack Straw, as a Labour frontbencher, used the phrase "gypsy's warning" in 2021, he'd be sacked forthwith.

[@passiveaggressive6175]

This has to be a Michael Cockerell documentary. Not only the narration, but the production design, music etc 😅

[@antr7493]

lol I never thought bombing a shipwreck oil tanker was an option.

[@MrSpasticdancer]

and labour thought diane abbot would be an adequate candidate for this job.

[@user-pv4hx8hs3f]

Fuck i forgot about that🤦🏼‍♂️

[@nadrini300]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Bungle-UK]

“Decent people fiddle their expenses” says Mr Straw….including 99% of his parliamentary colleagues, though the term ‘decent’ is too generous for most of them.

[@tomharrison1849]

He said 'otherwise decent'.

[@ChrisGWGreen]

"If you didnt like the bishop...rarr rarr rarr..." really have the finger on the pulse of the public there!

[@ryanjones8283]

Merlyn Rees is my great grandmother’s cousin!

[@mrflyingsourcer3515]

David Waddington was my Grandfather! Amazing to know that relatives of past government officials are here

[@HIOP0]

Just when we thought this programme content couldn't be topped, in you step with that amazing fact, thanks very much...

[@zulkiflijamil4033]

I can never become a Home Secretary but why I watch this

[@MisunderstoodMisanthrope]

Oh dear, Sir James Savile OBE and Rolf Harris in the same programme... I guess this will never be repeated then!

[@belbrighton6479]

You are an MP! You make the laws and Govern. Things don’t just happen. Things happen in response to your policy. It should not be a shock.

[@MSA3568]

The first steer I would offer the PM is to go straight to the Dentist and sort out his formidable front teeth!

[@craigwilson5232]

Leon Brittan was by far and away the most efficient Home Secretary Britain has had.Totally underestimated and undermined by non thinking people.

[@RehabProjectSRCB]

@@bluechurchowl7641 arnt they all

[@wilverbal]

@@bluechurchowl7641 he was cleared.

[@vico6261]

lol he was a NONCE

[@th8257]

Very niche view. I don't think anyone thinks that of him at all

[@lindymcbroom953]

Is this the first in the series ?

[@DBIVUK]

I think 'How to be Chancellor' was first in 1997, 'How to be Foreign Secretary' followed in 1998, and this one was the third in series. Then there was 'How to be an ex-Prime Minister' in 2007.

[@danielgonzalezjr8350]

Can upload a documentary on how to be speaker

[@DBIVUK]

I don't think anyone has made one.

[@danielgonzalezjr8350]

@@DBIVUK hopefully they make one

[@tomharrison1849]

Bercow could have used it.

[@Touhou-forever]

I'm surprised that Priti Patel is still Home Security since is a very difficult job that could kill your political career

[@Steve-lb2gm]

Why does politics and politicians in general seem so impotent and inconsequential compared to a couple of decades ago and more?