Dish and Dishonesty

"Dish and Dishonesty" is the first episode of the third series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder. Due to the thorough parody of the conventions of a British electoral declaration, it has been shown several times on the dates of real General Elections.

Plot

The newly appointed Prime Minister, Pitt the Younger (portrayed here as a petulant teenager), wants to strike the idiotic Prince Regent from the Civil List. Since the House of Commons is evenly divided on the issue, the Prince's butler, Mr. Blackadder, suggests to the Prince that they tip the scales in his favour by bribing an MP named Sir Talbot Buxomley with the position of High Court Judge. The Prince calls for Buxomley, who, after assuring the Prince that he will stand by him, promptly sits down in a chair and dies.

Moving quickly, Blackadder realises that Buxomley represented the constituency of Dunny-on-the-Wold, a rotten borough consisting of a tiny plot of land with several farm animals and only one voter. Blackadder chooses to instate Baldrick as the constituency's new MP to ensure that he votes in favour of the Prince. After an obviously rigged election (in which it is revealed that Blackadder is both the constituency's returning officer and voter, after both died in highly suspicious “accidents”), Baldrick is made an MP with a resounding 16,472 votes.

Upon entering the House of Commons, Baldrick is easily manipulated by Pitt into voting the wrong way, and the issue proceeds to the House of Lords. Blackadder then plans to get himself named to the House of Lords, where he will be able to vote against the bill, and he even purchases a ludicrously expensive catskin Lord's outfit in preparation. However, his scheme is ruined by Prince George's stupidity and Baldrick is elevated instead. He is also given ₤400,000, which he spends on a giant turnip.

The episode features a cameo by political commentator Vincent Hanna as "his own great-great grandfather" and additionally stars a dachshund called Colin Harwood.

Anachronisms

• In reality, Pitt the Younger was 24 when made Prime Minister and was 3 years older than George.

• Pitt the Younger had been dead for 5 years before Prince George became Regent.