PMQs 21/07/2021 - I know, what's the point?

His answer to every question whatever it is - Umm err, on the contrary we have delivered world beating vaccination programme, umm err, which the opposition would never… umm they would have…umm - prepared “joke” or three word sound bite, thump on despatch box hurrumph - then sits down

MaizieD

I think that if we didn't have PMQs, though, Johnson would never be seen in the HoC...

I think he would be out of the door like a shot. He is such an odious man.

I do wonder just how those who support Johnson in his lies deal with their own lives.

IT WAS CLAIMED: Vaccines have severed the link between Covid-19 infections and serious disease or death.
THIS IS INCORRECT. Vaccinated people are much less likely to catch Covid-19, or get seriously ill or die from it, but the link between infections and deaths has not been removed completely.

This is only one of the lies - but it matters. It's almost as if the Johnson supporters brush it away as if truth and accuracy are "not their thing". Is that how these people deal with those in their own lives? Does accuracy no longer matter to them. If I owed them £1,000 would they be happy to get £800 as being close but not exact?

Dawn Butlers been thrown out of the House for saying Johnson is a liar. Crazy that Mp’s can lie in the house but it isn’t permissible for someone to call them a liar. Good for her!

You have a good point there MaizieD

I think that if we didn't have PMQs, though, Johnson would never be seen in the HoC...

MoorlandMooner

In Rachel Johnson's book 'Rake's Progress' she describes how the Johnsons have an approach to life which her husband refers to as Johnsonitis. It's a condition peculiar to the family where they all view every single thing in life as either a game, a joke or a competition.

I watch PMQ and see the PM move between these three modes. The jokes always pre-prepared and not funny. The game played with the arrogance of someone who expects to win and bred to believe he can't loose. Then when the competition kicks in any tactic is played in order to win. When the competition doesn't seem to go his way...white hot rage.

As a result PMQ appears to me to be a huge waste of time, money and opportunity.

yes, that's spot on

It is the job of the Speaker to hold the PM to account, and to insist that he does answer the questions asked by Members of the House - and not fo on pre-prepared rants and attacks, or his own agenda. A fee times, the Speaker had told him to answer instead of doing above- and then sat down and let him continue his ranting and attacks.

The Speaker is NOT doing his job. He should stop Johnson if he does not answer, remind him of his duty, and then remind him again- then ask him to again to answer. If he does not, he should be held in contempt, asked to leave the House.

GillT57 You've got it right. It's a great shame that Bercow isn't Speaker. He wouldn't have put up Johnson's tantrums but I expect many would disagree with me.

I know what the function of PMQs is supposed to be in our “democracy” PippaZ but I think it has evolved into the pantomime that we see today.

the current speaker just isn't strict enough, there have been several incidents when Johnson has been in contempt of the House and very little has been done. I do think that Starmer gets the barb in sometimes though, and the sheer spluttering rage of Johnson is amusing to witness. I predict that one day he will just explode and there well be a huge F**k it type tantrum followed by him storming out.

Greeneyedgirl

You have to ask who is PMQs really for? Most of the public never watch it, so it’s mainly for journalists and media sound bites IMO. That’s what is important to a populist PM and government and explains Johnson’s antics. Otherwise meaningless charade.

In the first instance PMQs if for Parliament, both government and opposition, in order to hold the government to account. We may be able to watch it now but it is a process of Parliament.

Speaker Lindsay Hoyle is a big disappointment - I'm reminded of Denis Healey saying that being criticized by Geoffrey Howe was like being savaged by a dead sheep!

He's a pleasant enough chap but doesn't have an authoritative voice or manner to manage Johnson - sounds too friendly.

I would agree with that moorland, it's a very dysfunctional family and Johnson is partly a result of that.

In Rachel Johnson's book 'Rake's Progress' she describes how the Johnsons have an approach to life which her husband refers to as Johnsonitis. It's a condition peculiar to the family where they all view every single thing in life as either a game, a joke or a competition.

I watch PMQ and see the PM move between these three modes. The jokes always pre-prepared and not funny. The game played with the arrogance of someone who expects to win and bred to believe he can't loose. Then when the competition kicks in any tactic is played in order to win. When the competition doesn't seem to go his way...white hot rage.

As a result PMQ appears to me to be a huge waste of time, money and opportunity.

PMQT is for M.P.s to question the P.M. on what is happening. It is a means to hold them to account .I don't think it is meant as entertainment and for that reason it should continue. The P.M. is supposed to know what is going on in all his departments .The Speaker should call Johnson out for contempt .

You have to ask who is PMQs really for? Most of the public never watch it, so it’s mainly for journalists and media sound bites IMO. That’s what is important to a populist PM and government and explains Johnson’s antics. Otherwise meaningless charade.

He does whatever he likes - no-one truly challenges him. That is pretty unacceptable in normal times, but during a pandemic it is unforgivable.

As I said ...end of the pier show .
Wonder how long that will last. See there was a photo in Times showing Tory M.P.s not wearing masks in the chamber despite warnings from no 10."Tories ditch masks in snub to No 10 "
These are the M.P.s Johnson is wary of ...they could vote against him .

PippaZ

Blinko

Johnson is just being Johnson. No answers, no responsibility, no bloody idea!

But he is answerable to the Speaker who does not seem to see it as his responsibility.

True.

It's like the band playing while the Titanic sank. We are entertained (?) by a really bad comedian while our democracy disappears.

And a nice little sound bite. “We jab while they Jabber”. Such larks.

It is interesting that he can't answer yes or no to the pinging alerts on the NHS app

I love how answer is follows with 'hand har world beating vaccine program! scoff'

Blinko

Johnson is just being Johnson. No answers, no responsibility, no bloody idea!

But he is answerable to the Speaker who does not seem to see it as his responsibility.

Johnson doesn’t really do answers, but having said that, PMQ’s
Hasn’t ( for donkeys years) been a serious affair of the PM just answering questions, it has been a bear pit for the benefit of their own benches for all Parties in the House.
The only exception I can think of is Theresa May, who couldn’t do grandstanding or humour so didn’t try.She was probably the best ever for just answering a Q.
Cameron used urbane sardonic humour and Corbyn just did
Tetchy mini rants rather than ask questions.
Blair was the master of bland charming distractions. Anyone who tunes in hoping for good mannered serious Q and A
Session will always be disappointed.
Starmer is better (as an Opposition Leader )in that he does ask short enough questions and doesn’t get enraged.