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Humphrey

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January 27, 2009, 19:13
<Asa Lovejoy>
Humphrey
My e-mail pen pal Paul in Gloucestershire, in discussing British politics, referred to a "Humphrey" or several "Humphries," as being the real power brokers of British politics. Not wanting to appear as ignorant as I am, I didn't query him, choosing to ask you British here, who already know the depth of my ignorance! Who are these people?
January 27, 2009, 23:20
arnie
A high-up civil servant.

In the excellent '80s BBC TV sitcom Yes Minister and its sequel Yes Prime Minister the Permanent Secretary (head of the department) is Sir Humphrey Appleby.

The minister (later prime minister), Jim Hacker, is a politician who starts out with reforming ideas but ends up disillusioned. Pretty well everything he does is politely, almost invisibly, frustrated by Sir Humphrey, who is anxious to maintain the status quo.


Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
January 28, 2009, 01:49
Richard English
To what Arnie has written I would add that the main point of the series is (and there are many who claim that it is an accurate reflection of British politics) that MPs, ministers and even the Prime Minister have little power, and that the country is really run by the permanent civil servants.

Whicu I suspect would be true of most democracies.


Richard English
January 28, 2009, 17:34
<Asa Lovejoy>
The only British Humphrey, or in this case Humphry I was aware of was the chemist surnamed Davy. Thanks for the enlightenment.
January 28, 2009, 18:02
<Proofreader>
What about Humphrey Dumphrey?
January 28, 2009, 18:52
<Asa Lovejoy>
Ah, yes, the eggsistentialist philosopher.
January 30, 2009, 06:51
arnie
Watch out! Watch out! There's a Humphrey about!

(Old UK commmercial for milk.) Smile


Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
January 30, 2009, 10:52
BobHale
As shown here.


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.