The play tells the story of Jim Hacker, a member of the opposition's shadow cabinet, who, after helping his party win the election, is appointed as the Minister of the Department of Administrative Affairs (DAA). From then on, he begins to face the bureaucratic system led by the department's secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, while trying to navigate his role with the help of his public-appointed private secretary, Bernard, who is also a civil servant caught in the middle. Amidst various conflicts arising from policies between the politicians represented by Hacker and the civil servants represented by Appleby, the relationship between the two constantly changes, sometimes covering up for each other and sometimes exposing each other's secrets. Meanwhile, the various hidden flaws and dark sides of the British political system (including the party system and the civil service) are laid bare for the audience. Of course, all of this unfolds through a multitude of comedic plots and dialogues. In the latter half of the series, 'Yes Prime Minister', Hacker rises to become Prime Minister through internal party maneuvering, while Appleby has already stepped into the role of Prime Minister's Secretary, and their stories continue to unfold at Number 10 Downing Street.