《No, Minister.(存一下英文版)》用其他笔名

19、【Interlude】S01E02.5 Cyril's Diary and Memos (1980.1.28-31)

　　Monday, 4 February 1980. Office of the Secretary of State for Synergy Coordination.
　　Two documents lay before Charles. One was an invitation to appear on the BBC's Newsnight. The other was a risk assessment memorandum on the matter, submitted by Alistair.
　　MEMORANDUM
　　Department of Synergy Coordination
　　Ref: DSC/MIN/MEDIA/002/80
　　To: The Secretary of State (The Rt Hon Charles Hyde MP)
　　From: A. Cavendish, Acting Permanent Secretary
　　Date: 4 February 1980
　　Subject: Risk Assessment and Recommendation Regarding Participation in BBC's Newsnight
　　Minister,
　　Further to the invitation from the BBC's Newsnight programme for you to discuss the "vision for a new department in a new government," I respectfully submit the following assessment and recommendation.
　　1. Background:
　　The media reaction to your recent visit to Cornwall has placed both the DSC and yourself at the centre of public discourse. Your current public image is complex and susceptible to negative interpretation.
　　2. Opportunities & Risks:
　　a) Opportunity: The programme offers a potential platform to articulate the purpose, working methods, and future vision of the DSC, thereby improving the public image of both the department and yourself, and fostering public understanding.
　　b) Risk: As a newly launched current affairs programme (premiered 28 January 1980), Newsnight's style is likely to be sharp and focused on generating headlines. The host may pose pointed questions regarding your Cornwall visit, the ambiguous remit of the DSC, and the state of Whitehall bureaucracy. A slip of the tongue could trigger another public relations crisis.
　　3. Recommendation:
　　a) Considering the current media environment and the sensitive, formative stage of the DSC, it is recommended to temporarily decline such high-risk, high-exposure interviews. Priority should be given to stabilising operations through internal departmental mechanisms and gradually accumulating quantifiable "synergistic outcomes," responding to criticism with facts rather than words.
　　b) Should you still resolve to accept the invitation, to minimise risk, the Private Office will prepare a "Standard Safety Script" for your use. This script will adhere strictly to Whitehall conventions, employing cautious wording, focusing on departmental procedures and macro-level vision, and avoiding commentary on specific policy disputes or any impromptu remarks that could cause inter-departmental misunderstanding. We will also coordinate with the BBC to ensure the interview topics remain within a pre-agreed framework.
　　Please advise.
　　A. Cavendish
　　Cyril stood to one side, watching the Minister read the memo.
　　Alistair's recommendation was, as always, "correct"—mitigate risk, proceed with caution.
　　Charles did not hesitate. He wrote a single word next to recommendation 'b': "Agreed".
　　"Yes, Minister." Cyril prepared to carry out the instruction.
　　"Wait, Cyril," Charles stopped him. He picked up the telephone receiver and pressed the internal line connecting to the adjacent office.
　　The call was answered almost instantly.
　　"Alistair," Charles's tone was as calm as if he were discussing the London weather. "Regarding the Newsnight interview, I've decided to participate. Your 'Standard Safety Script' is excellent, but I'd like to make a few minor adjustments."
　　An equally calm voice came from the other end. "Your instructions, Minister."
　　Charles leaned back in his chair. "First, on the programme, I will personally follow up on the three commitments I made in Cornwall. I want the public to know that the Department of the Environment, the Ministry of Defence, and the Treasury have received formal inquiries from our Department of Synergy Coordination. Second..." He paused. "I will publicly announce that the DSC is establishing a working group to study the feasibility of an 'Emergency Hardship Fund for Fishing Communities'."
　　Cyril held his breath.
　　There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line.
　　"Minister," Alistair's voice betrayed no emotion, "that is a very... courageous proposal. Announcing it publicly before securing Treasury approval could provoke serious inter-departmental tensions."
　　"Precisely," a hint of a smile entered Charles's voice. "And that is why I need you, Alistair. I am responsible for opening the door under the spotlight, and you are responsible for ensuring that when I walk through it, I am not stepping into an abyss. I imagine that also falls under the umbrella of 'synergy and coordination,' does it not?"
　　Another moment of silence.
　　Finally, the reply came, concise and clear: "Yes, Minister."