Commons debates

[Defcon5]

Forgive me, for I am a simple northener.

Just watching the Dale Farm eviction on Sky News, and they are currently showing The House of Commons.

What are they actually acheiving here? They have just been jeering at each other in posh tones for the last half an hour. Occasionally a load of them stand up for some reason.

Someone asks a question, the Cameron then says something which doesnt really answer the question, and the whole opposition jeer and make gestures. Then someone calls out a different name and the whole process starts again.

Could someone explain what they are actually doing?

Does anything actually get done as a result of it?

[Thom987]

Its just a chance for NI MPs to ask questions imo. None of which matter.

[TankRizzo]

It used to be an opportunity for members of the House to put important questions from their constituents to the Prime Minister, and it certainly used to be a rather dignified and respectable matter.

Nowadays, it is simply an opportunity for all sides to indulge in petty one-upmanship in front of the cameras. The PM will get asked leading questions from his own backbenchers, prepared in advance, which he can use to attack the Opposition. The Opposition will repeat the process on their side for the Leader of the Opposition.

Enjoyable to watch sometimes, but largely pointless today.

[theaxe]

PMQs isn't a normal commons debate. Take a look at the wiki to find out more. For me it's pure entertainment and a chance to see who is the more quick-witted.

[0a]

Milliband should put the PM on the spot, he seems unable to do so, I therefore agree that whilst it can be amusing to watch it achieves very little in holding the government to account. Perhaps when Labour get a new leader it might turn back into a worthwhile exercise.

[Fittster]

0a said:

turn back into a worthwhile exercise.

When was it last a worthwhile exercise?

[elster]

TankRizzo said:

It used to be an opportunity for members of the House to put important questions from their constituents to the Prime Minister, and it certainly used to be a rather dignified and respectable matter.

Nowadays, it is simply an opportunity for all sides to indulge in petty one-upmanship in front of the cameras. The PM will get asked leading questions from his own backbenchers, prepared in advance, which he can use to attack the Opposition. The Opposition will repeat the process on their side for the Leader of the Opposition.

Enjoyable to watch sometimes, but largely pointless today.

Indeed PMQ is basically soundbite central for both sides and merely created for this purpose.

It is nothing to do with how the house works on the day to day business.

[mattviatura]

Couple of questions please.

Who selects the question, presumably more are submitted?

And why do MPs stand up between questions, notably Dennis Skinner?

Thanks

[MX7]

It would probably be better to take the cameras out for PMQ. It's almost entirely pointless now.

[elster]

mattviatura said:

Couple of questions please.

Who selects the question, presumably more are submitted?

And why do MPs stand up between questions, notably Dennis Skinner?

Thanks

It is a random ballot, bit like a lucky dip,done by the Speaker as to who gets picked to say their question at PMQs.

Standing up means they want to speak and are catching the attention of the speaker.

If they shout give way, it means they want to person who is speaking to give way and make a point about what they are speaking about. The MP does not have to give way and usually will allow so many during their 'time' speaking.

[mattviatura]

elster said:

Standing up means they want to speak and are catching the attention of the speaker.

Thanks for answering but if it's random, then what's the point in standing up?

[elster]

mattviatura said:

elster said:

Standing up means they want to speak and are catching the attention of the speaker.

Thanks for answering but if it's random, then what's the point in standing up?

Sorry, the random selection is for the questions. The speaker is allowed to accept 'intervention' questions. More often than not it is shown as they have something to say on the issue.

In PMQs it is pretty pointless other than to show they have something to say. On other questions it does serve a purpose.