The Thick Of It

Hugh feels overwhelmed as his Snooper Force policy is quashed by Malcolm, who tells him to come up with something new before a press conference begins.

Malcolm worries that Hugh is out of touch with the people as he seeks advice from a focus group on which of two policies to choose.

Tucker thinks an empty flat in London could pose a problem for the minister's Housing Bill which is currently being debated in the House of Commons.

Something goes terribly wrong at a ministerial visit to a factory and only Malcolm can help. Meanwhile, Ollie is seconded to work at Number 10 with Malcolm, but only because he has an insider view of the Opposition after a one-night stand.

There's a reshuffle in the offing and the pressure is on at the Department of Social Affairs when the PM's new 'blue skies' advisor, Julius Nicholson, begins investigating the structure of all government departments.

After Hugh returns from holiday, he accidentally lies in front of the Educational Select Committee, leaving Malcolm to clean up the fallout along with the three other Ministries in the same building.