Leading Questions

"Yes, Prime Minister", 1986.

Sir Humphrey: You know what happens: nice young lady comes up to you. Obviously you want to create a good impression, you don't want to look a fool, do you? So she starts asking you some questions: Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the number of young people without jobs?

Bernard Woolley: Yes

Sir Humphrey: Are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?

Bernard Woolley: Yes

Sir Humphrey: Do you think there is a lack of discipline in our Comprehensive schools?

Bernard Woolley: Yes

Sir Humphrey: Do you think young people welcome some authority and leadership in their lives?

Bernard Woolley: Yes

Sir Humphrey: Do you think they respond to a challenge?

Bernard Woolley: Yes

Sir Humphrey: Would you be in favour of reintroducing National Service?

Bernard Woolley: Oh...well, I suppose I might be.

Sir Humphrey: Yes or no?

Bernard Woolley: Yes

Sir Humphrey: Of course you would, Bernard. After all you told me can't say no to that. So they don't mention the first five questions and they publish the last one.

Bernard Woolley: Is that really what they do?

Sir Humphrey: Well, not the reputable ones no, but there aren't many of those. So alternatively the young lady can get the opposite result.

Bernard Woolley: How?

Sir Humphrey: Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the danger of war?

Bernard Woolley: Yes

Sir Humphrey: Are you worried about the growth of armaments?

Bernard Woolley: Yes

Sir Humphrey: Do you think there is a danger in giving young people guns and teaching them how to kill?

Bernard Woolley: Yes

Sir Humphrey: Do you think it is wrong to force people to take up arms against their will?

Bernard Woolley: Yes

Sir Humphrey: Would you oppose the reintroduction of National Service?

Bernard Woolley: Yes

Sir Humphrey: There you are, you see Bernard. The perfect balanced sample.