PMQs
The history of Prime Minister's Questions
Posted by Mark Pack at Wed, 21/07/2010 - 9:35am in Political commentary
Today sees Nick Clegg take to the Despatch Box to answer Prime Minister's Questions in David Cameron's absence from the UK.
Several Liberal Democrats have taken to twitter expressing their anticipation, such as Jo Swinson:
reserving a seat to watch a little bit of Lib Dem history later today - Nick Clegg taking #pmqs, first Lib leader to do so since 1922
Save us from a po-faced Parliament
Posted by Jonathan Lomax at Wed, 24/06/2009 - 1:43pm in
The British people don't like yah-boo politics apparently. Well, that is if you believe one of the most oft-repeated cliches in UK politics. Supposedly it puts people off the whole political process. Well, far be it from me to disagree but I think the British public have got more to worry about with regards to our democratic health than whether people barrack the Prime Minister at PMQs.
No optimism please, we're British
Posted by Nick Laitner at Thu, 05/02/2009 - 1:55pm in
Gordon Brown unveiled his new line of attack on David Cameron at PMQs yesterday, castigating the Tory leader for talking Britain down:
PMQs 29th October
Posted by architect at Wed, 29/10/2008 - 3:14pm in
David Wills, currently on Mandate's intern programme, gives a blow-by-blow account of today's PMQs.
Like all good PMQ’s it started with a planted question about help for small business from Labour MP Adrian Bailey.
PMQs 15 October 2008 - Harman stands in for Brown
Posted by Alex Finnegan at Wed, 15/10/2008 - 12:12pm in
With the Prime Minister - otherwise known as Superman - off in Brussels sorting out the world's financial problems, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Harriet Harman, stood in for him today at PMQ's.
There is always a frisson of excitement in the Chamber when Harman stands in for Brown. On the last two occasions she has faced William Hague across the despatch box. Usually, their encounters are rather enjoyable and Harman has put in competent, combatative performances.
But today, in light of the financial chaos, the tone of the debate was serious and sombre.
It's only words - or is it, Harriet?
Posted by Nick Laitner at Wed, 09/07/2008 - 10:35am in
Harriet Harman came up with one of the strangest political gags of recent times at PMQs today. Ms Harman, who was standing in for Gordon Brown, has been the subject of some speculation that she is currently manoeuvring to replace the PM (who is today solving the world’s problems at the G8).
PMQs - 9th July 2008
Posted by Theo Blackwell at Wed, 09/07/2008 - 10:19am in
PMQs were taken by Harriet Harman and William Hague, owing to the absence of Gordon Brown at the G8.
Harman has stepped in for the Prime Minister before, confounding critics with an adroit performance against William Hague and today too she discharged her function adeptly, albeit with less panache than before.
As ever stand-in PMQs have something of the silly season about them. ‘Prescott PMQs’ resorted to baiting
PMQs - 2nd July 2008
Posted by sarah at Wed, 02/07/2008 - 10:32am in
Gordon Brown entered PMQs today after a torrid week which saw the year anniversary of his long awaited premiership marked by a disastrous election result in Henley with Labour coming fifth behind the BNP. The weekend brought further bad news with his trusted leader in Scotland, Wendy Alexander, stepping down after being embroiled in questions about her expenses. Finally, to ca
PMQs 25th June 2008
Posted by Ed Jones at Wed, 25/06/2008 - 10:47am in
Today’s PMQs featured long-overdue but positive announcements on Zimbabwe, before somewhat more tired rhetoric on public pay and the unions. Cameron challenged the PM to define exactly what actions the Government was taking to oppose Mugabe’s leadership. Sanctions on individuals associated with Mugabe and work to ban the Zimbabwe cricket team competing in Britain were promised. Brown made plain that Mugabe should no longer be at the crease – he had lost an election and his violent refusal to walk would not be tolerated.
PMQs 18th June 2008
Posted by andrewscoones at Wed, 18/06/2008 - 10:02am in
What a relief! After today's PMQs Mandate can confirm that merging the British and French navies is not on the cards: that was the most memorable revelation from today’s unremarkable PMQs.
On the day that it emerged that Labour will not field a candidate to stand in the by-election forced by David Davis, the session was dominated almost entirely by foreign affairs.
