Ep 7. The National Education Service

In the episode "The National Education Service" of the British political satire sitcom Yes, Prime Minister, Prime Minister Jim Hacker, played by Paul Eddington, is confronted with a new policy proposal by his Education Secretary, which is to create a National Education Service (NES) that would amalgamate all educational institutions in the country under a single authority. Initially, Jim sees it as an opportunity to give each student an equal opportunity at education. However, as he learns more about the proposal, he realizes that it could lead to chaos in the education system.

The proposal is justified on the basis of eliminating bureaucracy and ensuring equal access to education for all. But as Jim learns more, he discovers that the Education Secretary is not acting in good faith. The proposal turns out to be a power grab by the Secretary who sees it as an opportunity to consolidate their power within the education sector.

To make matters worse, Jim receives some bad news from the Treasury, which informs him that the proposal would cost the government more than it could afford. Jim is now faced with the dilemma of whether to support the proposal and risk the potential consequences, or to oppose it and face the wrath of the Education Secretary.

The episode is a commentary on the dangers of unchecked power and how politicians often use policy proposals to further their own agendas. It also highlights the importance of robust scrutiny and critical thinking in the formulation of government policies.

As usual, the show is peppered with wit and humor, as the writers take a satirical look at the machinations of politics. The cast is impressive, with Paul Eddington delivering yet another superb performance as Prime Minister Jim Hacker. Nigel Hawthorne is excellent as Sir Humphrey Appleby, the civil servant who tries to steer the Prime Minister towards the 'right' decision. And Derek Fowlds is equally effective as Bernard Woolley, Jim's personal secretary.

The National Education Service is a well-written and well-executed episode that touches upon a number of issues that are still relevant today. It is a testament to the show's enduring popularity and its ability to remain topical despite being made over 30 years ago. Fans of the original series or political satire in general will find much to enjoy in this episode.