Some Women too feeble for PMQs according to John Bercow
Discussion
Sounds like Big John is on the warpath again. Apparently some Female MPs, who are 'not shrinking violets', no longer attend PMQs because they find the atmosphere so unpleasant. I would say 'if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen', but that might mark me out as an atavistic sexist, and I do rather empathise.
Isn't it about time that our politicians behaved in civilised manner at their weekly showcase event, and left behind the boorish childlike behaviour that alienates so many.
Isn't it about time that our politicians behaved in civilised manner at their weekly showcase event, and left behind the boorish childlike behaviour that alienates so many.
No.
PMQs serves 2 purposes. It does something (though not enough) to hold the PM to account in a very open way, and secondly it is an entertaining window into the world of Westminster for those with a passing interest who don't have the patience to sit through hours of debate about some ammendment to the Weights and Measures Act or whatever nonsense they spend the rest of the week discussing.
Making it less boisterous and confrontational would undermine both of these purposes.
PMQs serves 2 purposes. It does something (though not enough) to hold the PM to account in a very open way, and secondly it is an entertaining window into the world of Westminster for those with a passing interest who don't have the patience to sit through hours of debate about some ammendment to the Weights and Measures Act or whatever nonsense they spend the rest of the week discussing.
Making it less boisterous and confrontational would undermine both of these purposes.
Being boisterous isn't unique to males and supposed feminisation of PMQs isn't the answer to female MPs staying away, they need to realise that some aspects of jobs aren't to everyone's liking but you get paid to do the job not be absent from it for a non-reason, however semi-plausible and politically correct it may be.
UK politics is adversarial in its present form and in that context PMQs could equally be seen as robust rather than childish. In any case children are generally better at taking turns.
There's no point in replicating any aspect of the Strasbourg chamber in its frequent dreary and sterile moments.
There's no point in replicating any aspect of the Strasbourg chamber in its frequent dreary and sterile moments.
turbobloke said:
UK politics is adversarial in its present form and in that context PMQs could equally be seen as robust rather than childish. In any case children are generally better at taking turns.
It's supposed to be business. Not show business.I would prefer it was taken seriously as a chance to be held to account, not an opportunity for newbie MP to be told to stand up and say how excellent the Sure Start or whatever is, disguised as a 'question'.
voyds9 said:
I agree with him that PMQ's aren't a good example of democracy, it's like a school yard slanging match with both sides trying to score cheap points.
What will he suggest as an alternative, all sit down with a cup of tea and talk about the one who doesn't turn up.
I'd say the alternative is for people just to behave in a normal professional manner. I'm sure some civil servants (who work for them) would be happy for them to sit in at a few meetings to see how it's done.What will he suggest as an alternative, all sit down with a cup of tea and talk about the one who doesn't turn up.
It's just a televised Punch & Judy show with a bunch of posing s
theads trying to out-shout each other in order try to to score puerile brownie points.
The day they decided to televise this spectacle was the day that the last vestige of respect for our parliamentary system was lost.
By all means televise debates on specific subjects for the minority who may be interested but the midday Wednesday bunfight should be terminated.
Along with the majority of the participants btw.
theads trying to out-shout each other in order try to to score puerile brownie points.The day they decided to televise this spectacle was the day that the last vestige of respect for our parliamentary system was lost.
By all means televise debates on specific subjects for the minority who may be interested but the midday Wednesday bunfight should be terminated.
Along with the majority of the participants btw.
smegmore said:
It's just a televised Punch & Judy show with a bunch of posing stheads trying to out-shout each other in order try to to score puerile brownie points.
On which basis have a couple of brownie points. A bit more swearing, dial in more hypocrisy with bile dripping off each word and it could have been three points.theads trying to out-shout each other in order try to to score puerile brownie points.turbobloke said:
Being boisterous isn't unique to males and supposed feminisation of PMQs isn't the answer to female MPs staying away, they need to realise that some aspects of jobs aren't to everyone's liking but you get paid to do the job not be absent from it for a non-reason, however semi-plausible and politically correct it may be.
Please note that this salutary rule does not apply to UKIP MEPS in the Europarliament, who show what a brilliant job they do for the grateful masses by, er, not turning up much.(Apols for cross-threading, but too good to miss.)
AJS- said:
No.
PMQs serves 2 purposes. It does something (though not enough) to hold the PM to account in a very open way, and secondly it is an entertaining window into the world of Westminster for those with a passing interest who don't have the patience to sit through hours of debate about some ammendment to the Weights and Measures Act or whatever nonsense they spend the rest of the week discussing.
Making it less boisterous and confrontational would undermine both of these purposes.
Nah. Britain now is mostly run by Brussels and Washington. PMQs today is just theatre for people in the provinces, tourists and Eton rahrahs.PMQs serves 2 purposes. It does something (though not enough) to hold the PM to account in a very open way, and secondly it is an entertaining window into the world of Westminster for those with a passing interest who don't have the patience to sit through hours of debate about some ammendment to the Weights and Measures Act or whatever nonsense they spend the rest of the week discussing.
Making it less boisterous and confrontational would undermine both of these purposes.
turbobloke said:
smegmore said:
It's just a televised Punch & Judy show with a bunch of posing stheads trying to out-shout each other in order try to to score puerile brownie points.
On which basis have a couple of brownie points. A bit more swearing, dial in more hypocrisy with bile dripping off each word and it could have been three points.theads trying to out-shout each other in order try to to score puerile brownie points.turbobloke said:
UK politics is adversarial in its present form and in that context PMQs could equally be seen as robust rather than childish. In any case children are generally better at taking turns.
There's no point in replicating any aspect of the Strasbourg chamber in its frequent dreary and sterile moments.
The Crown Court is adversarial and robust. The atmosphere is also dignified unlike Parliament.There's no point in replicating any aspect of the Strasbourg chamber in its frequent dreary and sterile moments.
smegmore said:
It's just a televised Punch & Judy show with a bunch of posing stheads trying to out-shout each other in order try to to score puerile brownie points.
The day they decided to televise this spectacle was the day that the last vestige of respect for our parliamentary system was lost.
By all means televise debates on specific subjects for the minority who may be interested but the midday Wednesday bunfight should be terminated.
Along with the majority of the participants btw.
I remember when they first talked about televising it; someone reckoned it would make MPs better behaved because then they would be subject to public scrutiny. Possibly the same guy who turned down the Beatles for Decca, saying "guitar groups are on the way out".theads trying to out-shout each other in order try to to score puerile brownie points.The day they decided to televise this spectacle was the day that the last vestige of respect for our parliamentary system was lost.
By all means televise debates on specific subjects for the minority who may be interested but the midday Wednesday bunfight should be terminated.
Along with the majority of the participants btw.
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