Hosted by David Dimbleby, Question time is a weekly show in which members of the public are invited to ask questions to MPs. All 3 main political parties are usually represented and the 4th member of the panel is usually not politically affiliated with anyone. The 4th member, in truth, can be a bit hit and miss. If they are a broadcaster or writer, then it's usually ok, but if it's a TV 'personality' or someone from TOWIE, it can be a bit cringeworthy as you watch them try to bluff their way through topics they know nothing about or have any interest in. For this reason they are usually more in touch with people than the politicians.
I have 2 reasons why Question Time gets me angry and neither of them is the program's fault.
Firstly, in the 80's, when politics in the UK had teeth and personalities, any questions asked would normally go along the lines of this:
A question would be asked, maybe 'why are all the pits closing?', the Conservative MP would make a statement. The Labour MP would argue completely the opposite, no matter how daft it sounded or how ludicrous it was. The Lib Dem would take a stance in between the Tory and Labour viewpoint and an argument would break out amongst them. The 4th member, Ben Elton, would make a 'right on' remark followed by a knob gag, laughter ensues, everyone settles down and prepares themselves for the next question.
It could be entertaining, which, even though they're serious issues, is a good thing as it engaged the audience and got people to think about and get involved with the debate.
The problem today is that politics is bland and ministers are too busy creating sound bites, toeing the party line and not saying anything too controversial. Therefore, question time now follows this pattern:
A question is asked, the Conservative MP gives the party's answer, being very careful not to stray from the prepared answer. The Labour MP takes an ever so slightly different approach and gives a Tory lite response, being careful not to stray from the party line. And the Lib Dem, being careful not to offend their coalition partner, give another version of a Tory lite response. Joey Essex claims he doesn't even know what deficit means but as long as he can keep bleaching his teef and 'aving a spray tan once a day, then fack it!
These type of responses brings me onto my last point as to why Question Time makes me angry. If the question involves an answer that would be too controversial or puts their party in a bad light, they just don't bother answering the question. For example:
'What does the panel think about today's figures which shows we are back in recession. Will they now admit that plan A just isn't working?'
'Dave Smug-Bastard?'
'Well I think the question your audience member was trying to ask is the real issue of how I like my eggs in the morning? I happen to agree with a recent report which says 70% of people like them with a kiss'.
Foot through telly, invoice sent to the House of Commons and a letter written to the BBC asking them to change the name of the show to Avoid The Question Time.
Question Time is on every Thursday at around 10.35pm on BBC1.
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