Alf Garnett is a working-class bigot whose only loyalties are to the Queen, the Conservative Party and West Ham United FC. He is constantly at war with his "silly old moo" of a wife Else; their daughter, Rita; and her husband, long-haired "Scouse git" Mike. The quartet live together in a cramped, long-decrepit Victorian terrace in Wapping, amidst the heart of east London's dock lands.

Regularly reactionary, judgemental and hypocritical, Alf's poor education leads to a half-understanding of every fact or news story that arises, putting him ever at odds with family, friends, neighbours and workmates. But whilst his hotter temper may initiate most arguments, everyone else is just as bad and all give as good as they get!

Alf's family in particular are as stubborn and antagonistic as he is, regularly victimising and provoking his temper and frustrations at the modern world for their own entertainment. If only they could learn to live together peacefully...