Question Time and smaller political parties

the_modgardener · 05-07-2008, 02:52 PM

What are peoples opinions on BBC's Question Time programme.

I ask this as week afetr week we have representatives from the three main political parties (plus the SNP or Plaid Cymru if it is broadcast from scotland or Wales), plus either a journalist, a broadcaster, a professor, author, actor, commentator, comedian etc as the extra guest.
How often are the likes of the smaller parties given a shared platform?
The answer, very, very rarely.

I do feel this is wrong, as Question Time is a political programme and therefore representatives from various political parties should be given preference over comedians, authors and the like.

Perhaps if you share my opinion, and feel smaller parties should be represented on the panel at the expense of the 'non-political party' guest, you will join me in contacting the BBC and asking for Question Time to become an opportunity for the audience to question representatives of political parties, and not media personalities.

arden forester · 09-07-2008, 04:21 PM

I think Question Time is OK as it is. There should be political party panellists, but at least two others should be that - "others". Just because somebody is a comedian it doesn't mean they haven't got a view or can act as "salt" in the discussion.

I used to like Paul Foot and his way of moving a debate up into fifth gear. Ian Hislop is good too. You need one or two fiesty types - left or right, it doesn't matter - who will get a debate going and sustain it!

kernow · 14-07-2008, 11:06 AM

I know a lot of people on this forum knock QT, I love it! It is my wine drinking shouting at the "Telly" time! There are too many left of centre pannelists for my taste, but I suppose that is what the BBC is made of nowadays!

Westcountryman · 14-07-2008, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_modgardener

I ask this as week afetr week we have representatives from the three main political parties (plus the SNP or Plaid Cymru if it is broadcast from scotland or Wales),

Eh? They broadcast the same version in Wales as they do in England! (Not sure about Scotland, I'm sure someone will inform us).

Smidgey · 14-07-2008, 06:42 PM

Yep, they broadcast the same version in Scotland too.

I think he meant if the show is being hosted in, say, Edinburgh or Cardiff then the panel will have a Plaid or SNP member on it.

HM · 14-07-2008, 06:47 PM

I think it's important that journalists, writers, economists etc. are on the show because they aren't enslaved by party opinion, don't have to lie and are able to pose difficult questions where they think it is necessary. And how could anyone want to deprive QT of that Polly Toynbee vs. Richard Littlejohn fight a few weeks back? Explosive viewing.

Westcountryman · 14-07-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smidgey

Yep, they broadcast the same version in Scotland too.

I think he meant if the show is being hosted in, say, Edinburgh or Cardiff then the panel will have a Plaid or SNP member on it.

Ah, that makes more sense.

I think the issue here is political capital. You're far more likely to get seats (as a political party) if you have elected representatives (something beyond local councillors). The SNP and even Plaid Cymru are far more successful than all of the minor parties in England.

Westcountryman · 14-07-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HM

I think it's important that journalists, writers, economists etc. are on the show because they aren't enslaved by party opinion, don't have to lie and are able to pose difficult questions where they think it is necessary. And how could anyone want to deprive QT of that Polly Toynbee vs. Richard Littlejohn fight a few weeks back? Explosive viewing.

YouTube - Littlejohn bitchslaps Toynbee

"Do you think about global warming when you fly to your villa in Italy?"

the_modgardener · 19-07-2008, 04:55 PM

So whilst comedians, journalists and the like can grab the QT spotlight, smaller political parties, and their arguments, have the door slammed in their face. Such is BBC democracy.

Westcountryman · 19-07-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_modgardener

So whilst comedians, journalists and the like can grab the QT spotlight, smaller political parties, and their arguments, have the door slammed in their face. Such is BBC democracy.

Get some people elected and then maybe you'll be taken seriously. Given the sheer number of political parties now registered in the UK, I can't say I blame the BBC for not inviting every boring minor party onto the programme.

05-07-2008, 02:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
the_modgardener Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7 Party: Free England Party	Question Time and smaller political parties What are peoples opinions on BBC's Question Time programme. I ask this as week afetr week we have representatives from the three main political parties (plus the SNP or Plaid Cymru if it is broadcast from scotland or Wales), plus either a journalist, a broadcaster, a professor, author, actor, commentator, comedian etc as the extra guest. How often are the likes of the smaller parties given a shared platform? The answer, very, very rarely. I do feel this is wrong, as Question Time is a political programme and therefore representatives from various political parties should be given preference over comedians, authors and the like. Perhaps if you share my opinion, and feel smaller parties should be represented on the panel at the expense of the 'non-political party' guest, you will join me in contacting the BBC and asking for Question Time to become an opportunity for the audience to question representatives of political parties, and not media personalities.

09-07-2008, 04:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
arden forester Uber Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Solihull, in The Forest of Arden, Warwickshire! Posts: 2,659 Party: None	QT on the QT! I think Question Time is OK as it is. There should be political party panellists, but at least two others should be that - "others". Just because somebody is a comedian it doesn't mean they haven't got a view or can act as "salt" in the discussion. I used to like Paul Foot and his way of moving a debate up into fifth gear. Ian Hislop is good too. You need one or two fiesty types - left or right, it doesn't matter - who will get a debate going and sustain it! __________________ www.ardenforester.blogspot.com www.westminster-whispers.blogspot.com

14-07-2008, 06:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Smidgey Uber Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 2,151 Party: Libertarian Party	Yep, they broadcast the same version in Scotland too. I think he meant if the show is being hosted in, say, Edinburgh or Cardiff then the panel will have a Plaid or SNP member on it. __________________ How vain is man, who boasts in fight the valour of gigantic might! -Georg Friedrich Händel

14-07-2008, 06:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
HM Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 933 Party: None	I think it's important that journalists, writers, economists etc. are on the show because they aren't enslaved by party opinion, don't have to lie and are able to pose difficult questions where they think it is necessary. And how could anyone want to deprive QT of that Polly Toynbee vs. Richard Littlejohn fight a few weeks back? Explosive viewing. __________________ Respice post te; hominem te esse memento!

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14-07-2008, 11:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
kernow Uber Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 4,991	I know a lot of people on this forum knock QT, I love it! It is my wine drinking shouting at the "Telly" time! There are too many left of centre pannelists for my taste, but I suppose that is what the BBC is made of nowadays!

19-07-2008, 04:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
the_modgardener Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7 Party: Free England Party	So whilst comedians, journalists and the like can grab the QT spotlight, smaller political parties, and their arguments, have the door slammed in their face. Such is BBC democracy.