PMQs Wednesday 29th October ‘08 - A view of British Politics
Whilst still resident in the UK I am finding the time to soak up the culture of British politics, as it will be the last time for a while it will directly affect me.
Each week the BBC affords every license paying British citizen the ups and downs of global politics and I commend them for such great coverage. My favorite part without a doubt comes every Wednesday at 12pm when the Prime Minister is bombarded with questions from constituent representatives in so called Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs). The time is one of reflection on contemporary issues both nationally and internationally but most importantly a time for answers from the most influential figure in British politics; currently held by Gordon Brown PM.
There is, however, one aspect of British politics that taints every parliamentary debate, party conference and public appearance by constituent representatives, to the point where I become intolerant of the system. I refer to the incessant, and in my view, puerile Punch and Judy nature of political discussion in this country.
This feature of cross party engagement has never been as apparent to me before today’s PMQs. Watching David Cameron (Con. Leader) participate in endless percentage and figure exchange with PM Brown, I couldn’t help but feel neither of them were making any progress on the issue in hand; the recession we have just entered.
A remark from David Davis (Con. former Shadow Home Secretary) during today’s Daily Politics show highlights this attitude amongst British politicians. Following a question from Hazel Blears (Lab. Communities Secretary) along the lines of ‘Why does the conservative party insist on arguing against Labours actions during this difficult time, if they do not have themselves a better plan?”, David Davis responds “We are the opposition, this is what we do, oppose.”