/ Register

British House of Commons Prime Minister's Questions

Discussion in 'Off Topic [BG]' started by rustyshakelford, Jul 14, 2003.

  1. Jul 14, 2003 #1
    rustyshakelford

    rustyshakelford

    Jul 9, 2002
    Esteemed Colleagues,

    Does anyone else watch this show?

    In the US, one of the cable channels broadcasts this program.

    I have several questions:

    - Why do some MP's stand while the other asks a question?

    - Who determines who gets to ask a question?

    - What is that big book Tony Blair has in his lap? He never seems to refer to it.

    Thank you.

    RS
     
  2. Jul 14, 2003 #2
    Bruce Lindfield

    Bruce Lindfield Unprofessional TalkBass Contributor Gold Supporting Member In Memoriam

    Dec 13, 1999
    Brighton, England, UK, Europe
    I thinnk this tells you a lot about the British people - i.e. they like a good argument in public, with as much mud-slinging as possible and their favoured weapon is sarcasm!! ;)

    In answer to your questions - I think they are trying to attract the attention of the speaker or have just got carried away in the excitement.

    There is a schedule of questions, but I think the speaker can get more in if it finishes ahead of time.

    I always though that Tony Blair had his briefings from ministers, civil servants, spin doctors in front of him - he does refer occasionally and has bookmarks to facts that he checks - he has to put his glasses on for this!!

    But it is considered very bad form to read things out in these sessions - except to quote somebody else or statistics - so the speakers are expected to talk without notes and improvise - although a lot of their jokes are obviously pre-written - it would seen as weakness to admit this!!

    So - if anybody does this the opposing party will shout out - "He's Reading" or something scathing like that!! ;)