Rincewind Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 There is a petition calling for MP's to update Prime Minister Question time and be more answerable to the general public and not have set questions to please the TV company's. Here is an email I received. Ambitious, connected, ruthless, rich and male. This is how Mumsnet users described politicians in a survey we published this weekend. One of the biggest turn-offs is Prime Minister’s Questions: the weekly showdown between the PM and the leader of the opposition. Half of people who responded to our survey said it damaged the reputation of parliament, and three-quarters said it was outdated and unprofessional. Too often, it can feel as though the people who represent us are making a mockery of democracy. As one Mumsnet user put it, "Might as well get some preschoolers to call each other poo-heads and be done with it." For ages now it seems we’ve all accepted that Parliament is out of touch with the people it represents. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Prime Ministers can make changes to PMQs when they want to. In 1997, for instance,Tony Blair replaced the two weekly 15-minute sessions with one half-hour session. So we’re calling on David Cameron to give this huge Parliamentary showcase a much needed shake-up. Let’s reform the way we run PMQs. The Hansard Society have proposed a new kind of politics: a new, engaging way to conduct PMQs which can help rebuild trust in politics and politicians. This could include introducing rapid-fire Q&As, more open questions, taking questions directly from voters via social media, and penalties for MPs who behave badly. Britain is one of the world's oldest Parliamentary democracies, and we want our children to grow up proud of that and eager to engage. At the moment, worrying numbers struggle to find the will to vote. PMQs should be about holding power to account - not about planted questions, scripted answers and 10-second soundbites for the TV news. Join me in calling on David Cameron to pilot changes to PMQs along the lines proposed by the Hansard Society - before the next election. Justine RobertsCEO Mumsnet Sign the Petition
Raj Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 i actually enjoy PMq ..just like being back at School...hate that smug Bastard Ed Balls though
Rincewind Posted 1 July 2014 Author Posted 1 July 2014 i actually enjoy PMq ..just like being back at School...hate that smug Bastard Ed Balls though Exactly. It should not be like being back at school. One reason why I do not watch it.
Guest MattP Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 I like it. It's unique and very British. Give me our Pmqs over the senate everytime. Mumsnet?
Unabomber Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 I'm not but I'm really enjoying the thread You should get on it, I bet you would provide all manner of stories.
Guest MattP Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 You should get on it, I bet you would provide all manner of stories. I'm too old for that sort of thing now...
Unabomber Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 You know what they say...you're only as young as the woman you are sexually harassing on tinder.
Vacamion Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 PMQs is great. If I could change anything I would allow the PM to swear (With the greatest of respect, the honerable gentleman is a fvcktard and his suggestions are a load of old pony) Maybe also let him make Joey Deacon "Nnnnnggggoey" faces and slowly shake his fist in the "willy puller" sign whilst disdainfully mouthing the word "Tosser" any time HM Leader of the Opposition is on his feet. Mumsnet can do one.
Finnegan Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 PMQs is hilarious but it's often embarrassing. It's basically just the majority party ripping the piss out or the minority like a bunch of naughty school boys. Probably not what you want from the rulers of the nation but it does often make funny viewing. God, it'll never happen but can you imagine it with Boris, Farage or Prescott as PM?
Guest MattP Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 Farage and Galloway across the box,would be tremendous.
Vacamion Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 IMO, Bercow has been a disgrace recently, alternating between preening superiority complex and schoolmaster threatening detention. Loves himself too much, that one...
Guest MattP Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 IMO, Bercow has been a disgrace recently, alternating between preening superiority complex and schoolmaster threatening detention. Loves himself too much, that one... A joke of a speaker. Fact he was a Tory voted in by Labour says it all. Can't even control his wife so what chance of him controlling 600 odd blokes who have spent all morning in the bar.
Rincewind Posted 1 July 2014 Author Posted 1 July 2014 A joke of a speaker. Fact he was a Tory voted in by Labour says it all. Can't even control his wife so what chance of him controlling 600 odd blokes who have spent all morning in the bar. I think you have summed up what it is like to be a MP. And I thought you loved them.
Guest MattP Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 I think you have summed up what it is like to be a MP. And I thought you loved them. What on earth has given you that impression?
Strokes Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 I think you have summed up what it is like to be a MP. And I thought you loved them.
Rincewind Posted 1 July 2014 Author Posted 1 July 2014 What on earth has given you that impression? When I have said they are a bunch of dickheads (or words to that affect) you have said they are loveable dickheads. (or was that Moose?) Did you know politicians are allowed to lie? As long as they are doing it whilst on duty in their seat it is OK. I got that from someone who considered running as a candidate until they found out that they would be too honest for most of the time (and no it was not Tory)
The Doctor Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 Farage and Galloway across the box,would be tremendous. Only problem with that is that one of the two needs to be somewhere near power, and farage doesn't so much have no coherent policies beyond get out of Europe as no policies at all beyond that - he essentially leads a pressure group that's got far larger than anyone would expect, and El Galloway is a ****.
Guest MattP Posted 1 July 2014 Posted 1 July 2014 When I have said they are a bunch of dickheads (or words to that affect) you have said they are loveable dickheads. (or was that Moose?) Did you know politicians are allowed to lie? As long as they are doing it whilst on duty in their seat it is OK. I got that from someone who considered running as a candidate until they found out that they would be too honest for most of the time (and no it was not Tory) I don't ever remember using the term 'lovable dickhead'. Everyone is allowed to lie Ken, we all do. Only problem with that is that one of the two needs to be somewhere near power, and farage doesn't so much have no coherent policies beyond get out of Europe as no policies at all beyond that - he essentially leads a pressure group that's got far larger than anyone would expect, and El Galloway is a ****. No chance, they would both be arrested and jailed long before they had any chance of genuine power if they looked like doing so.
MooseBreath Posted 2 July 2014 Posted 2 July 2014 Rapid fire questions, questions from social media, more open questions... If all they want is to see politicians struggling, occasionally tripping up and saying silly things in the face of an onslaught of aggressively bitter pedantry, then they should just listen to the today show on radio 4 because they do that all the time. No doubt provides comfort in the form of somebody to blame for people who are that way inclined, but it doesn't ever really achieve anything.
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