PMQs – Prime Minister’s Questions (House of Commons)

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“This (P45) is important to you …”

Yes, I realise there is another PM in the hot seat now. Not MY fault – or as some like to say – not in MY name. There’s a bit about whatsisname down below if you must.

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Below you can view past videos of Tony Blair at the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions sessions in the House of Commons through Windows Media Player or Real Player. Most recent PMQs: Go here for links to transcripts of PMQs. [Pic below: Demob happy?]

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[Pics – unprecedented standing ovation from cabinet colleagues & all MPs]

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3rd August 2007-BLAIR’S LAST LIAISON COMMITTEE APPEARANCE

Go here to read my new page link on this site of the transcript for this meeting.

Or go to the Parliamentary site to view this and other documents. Link to the transcript of the last Liaison Committee Meeting (of Parliamentary Select Committees) on 18th June, 2007.

It seems to be only available to view when the Parliament Channel broadcasts it. So, sorry, can’t provide a visual link. Blair was as effortless as ever – praised at the end for his innovation of this regular grilling at which he speaks without notes or assistance from aides.

Wonder if GB/PM (sorry still find it hard to spit out his full name with ‘PM’ anywhere near it!) … I wonder if he will keep it going – and if he does, how will he compare. Think I know the answer to that.

LATEST PMQs

17th October, 2007

Yes, I know I told you that you’d have to look yourself for Brown’s PMQs, since nobody does it better than Blair, and I just can’t be bothered watching the stammerer (apologies to anyone with the real affliction). Brown’s is caused by nervousness and is a useful delaying tactic while he thinks what to say next without putting his foot in it.

You can find all PMQs at the Downing Street website. But this short excerpt of today’s ‘performance’ – came through to me by e-mail so you can have a quick look if you’re interested.

WARNING:

If I were you I’d be inclined to take my (BlairSupporter’s) comments on Brown’s abilities with a pinch of salt – since I’m not exactly unbiased. But I have only seen this small excerpt so I don’t know how well he handled it in the rest of the 30 minutes. You can take a look at the BBC’s Nick Assinder’s thoughts here. He’s paid to be even-handed.

A quick glance at the body language of the backbenchers told me quite a bit.

11th July, 2007

SECOND BROWN PMQs

If you want to see Brown’s PMQs go to Downing Street’s website – I can’t be bothered pasting them here. What!? Do you think I’m a civil servant or something?!

UPDATE TO THE BELOW:

“GORDON BROWN KILLS TONY BLAIR …( pause)

…’S SUPER CASINOS “

So said Eddie Mair – with the pregnant pause – on PM tonight!  Ahhh – but, Eddie. You don’t do the anticipatory, heavily-laden, can’t wait-to-hear-what-he-really-thinks pause like Tony! You didn’t fool me! I knew GB hadn’t killed TB. More or less hadn’t, that is. Yes, politics is a cruel business, but not THAT bad, surely?

Oh ye wordsmith Mair; should be in politics. All you need to work on is the pregnant bit.

BETTER THAN LAST WEEK – JUST!

Well, Brown was better than last week – using some of the Blair hand gestures and ripostes to the opposition on THEIR record. And I know that physically he is heavier than Blair so will never be as quick to his feet. That Blair lightness of touch, humour, courteous but pointed reply will always be missing factors. But Brown signalled his wish, as was Blair’s, to extend the 28-day detention period for terrorist suspects. THAT was good. And perhaps he read here last week that he will be unable to do away with Blair’s innovation of naming the war dead; this time he listed them.

NO DEAL

But as for Blair’s super-casinos! Are they ‘dead in the water’. Whole lotta fun, this son of the manse, isn’t he? I think one or two people in Manchester might have something to say if he thinks he can just shelve them without reference to the Cabinet OR the people in Manchester who have heavily wasted council tax payers’ money on the plan already.

Oh, and by the way, Mr Brown, and I hate to be picky, but it’s my Scottish education, what the HELL is “preVELence” … as in your phrase, ” looking at the prevalence of gambling problems”?

The word is “prevalence” – “a” in the middle, not “e”. Emphasis on the first syllable – PREvalence. This ‘genius” guy is worrying me; can’t even talk properly. Bring back the Scots born PM (TB) who can REALLY speak English!

Brown’s score? Six out of ten – better than last week’s four out of ten – BUT (and everybody knows that here comes the ‘but’), I still ache for the real thing.

HONEST TO GORD!

And as for his pre-Queen’s speech summer mini policy do-da thingy – well, if he REALLY does think consultation is the answer, he should remember Blair’s words at Sedgefield, “the trouble is they don’t all agree”. That’s why we elect governments, Mr Brown – for the courage of their convictions, and so THEY can make the decisions. It’d have been more honest to have admitted that this summer statement was for three reasons only:

1. To wrongfoot Cameron – and get policy out there before he does
2. To keep momentum going over the summer
3. To pretend that there is much that is new and different from Blair

4th July, 2007

FIRST PMQs FOR GB/PM

PLEASE NOTE: Let’s get something clear – I won’t be pasting any links to view Brown’s PMQs here, no matter how many points it’d score against him, let’s be honest. His first effort was just – embarrassing. THIS site is NOT about the UK’s PM per se. Go to the Downing Street website for that. Scroll down to see and read about Blair’s last PMQs.

I could write a crit on Brown’s first session, but ‘Not Blair’ was clearly not Blair, more’s the pity, but I thought I’d mention this:

NO MENTION OF THE FALLEN by our new PM/GB

For the first time since Iraq and Afghanistan there was no mention by the country’s prime minister of those who have recently died in action in those conflicts. Yes, I realise such tributes were an innovation of Blair’s and are not a requirement for Brown. But if GB/PM thinks he can hide away from the government’s Iraq policy by ignoring the deaths he has another think coming. Today a Lib Dem MP mentioned the names of those who had died.

Every week, someone will remind us and him. Have the courage, Mr GB/PM that Blair had. Do not try to hide the facts from us in your new changed open way. It won’t go away just because you ignore it.

Wednesday 27th July, 2007

BLAIR’S LAST PRIME MINISTER’S QUESTIONS

If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. If you don’t – what are you doing here, then. This is a sad place, or say they tell me.

There is a short clip here where Mr Blair winds up after 10 years by admitting he has ‘never stopped fearing’ PMQs. Emotion almost overcomes him as he mentions that politics is ‘where people stand tall’ and is ‘the place for the pursuit of noble causes’. See the standing ovation. This is NOT the USA, nor an emotional latin land. But staid, mean old Britain saying farewell to an amazing and unique son of parliamentary democracy.

Mr Blair’s final PMQs was as good as it gets. A blend of tones, he left us wanting more. Especially BBC24 watchers, it seems, whose enjoyment was cut off just as Mr Blair said, “… and finally”! Never mind you can see it ALL here.

• 26th June, 2007 – Windows Media Player
• 26th June, 2007 – Real Player
• Read transcript

• 20th June, 2007 – Windows Media
• 20th June, 2007 – Real Player
• Read transcript

Only one more Prime Minister Questions to go under Tony Blair

Listen to comment on 13th June, 2007 PMQs and wonder … will you miss him?

• 13th June, 2007 – Windows Media
• 13th June, 2007 – Real Player

Quote from above: Blair: “[Cameron] has the imprint of the last person who sat on him”.

• 6th June, 2007 – Windows Media
• 6th June, 2007 – Real Player

• 23rd May, 2007 – Windows Media
• 23rd May, 2007 – Real Player

• 16th May, 2007 – Windows Media – Deputy PM ‘laugh-a-minute’ John Prescott standing in while PM in USA.
• 16th May, 2007 – Real Player

• 9th May, 2007 – Windows Media
• 9th May, 2007 – Real Player
• 2nd May, 2007 – Windows Media
• 2nd May, 2007 – Real Player
• Mr. Cameron: Two years ago, the Prime Minister told us that he would serve a full third term. Yesterday, he said that he would be off in weeks. He has told us who is going to wear the crown; can he tell us who wielded the knife?

• 25th April, 2007 – Windows Media
• 25th April, 2007 – Real Player

• 18th April, 2007 – Windows Media
• 18th April, 2007 – Real Player

• 28th March, 2007 – Windows Media
• 28th March, 2007 – Real Player

• 21st March, 2007 – Windows Media
• 21st March, 2007 – Real Player

• 14th March, 2007 – Windows Media
• 14th March, 2007 – Real Player

• 7th March 2007 – Windows Media
• 7th March 2007 – Real Player

• 28th February 2007 – Windows Media
• 28th February 2007 – Real Player

• 21st February 2007 – Windows Media
• 21st February 2007 – Real Player

• 7th February 2007 – Windows Media Player
• 7th February 2007 – Real Player

• 31st January 2007 – Windows Media Player
• 31st January 2007 – Real Player

• 24th January 2007 – Windows Media Player
• 24th January 2007 – Real Player

• 17th January 2007 – Windows Media Player
• 17th January 2007 – Real Player

• 10th January 2007 – Windows Media Player
• 10th January 2007 – Real Player

• 15th November, 2006 – Opening of Parliamentary Year
• Queen’s Speech Debate Tony Blair – “Big Clunking Fist”

• 11th October, 2006 – first since attempted “coup” and party conference W Media

David Cameron asked at 11th Oct PMQs: “Does he back the Chancellor as his successor, yes or no? I do, does he?”

• 11th October, 2006 – Real Player

Watch Youtube clip of Prime Minister’s Questions, House of Commons, 11 October 2006. The first PMQ since the “coup” attempt. Cameron asks if PM supports Gordon Brown as next leader. Blair offers to deport the foreign secretary, er, prisoners ;0)

Watch “From Beaconsfield to Baghdad – The Rise of Tony Blair”– Robert Orchard –

(Picture left) Tony Blair at his last Parliamentary Liaison Committee Meeting – Monday, 18th June 2007

Members and cross-party Chairs of Committees admit the PM is a master at this gathering, which HE started. He speaks without notes and answers questions on every issue thrown at him over a 90 minute period.

Video below – A bit of a cruel one, I suppose, but I couldn’t resist this from March 21st PMQs. Is this how we pick our prime minister? You’re on TV, Gordon. Use a hankie please!

Older PMQs of interest:

• 25th May, 2005– first PMQs after May 2005 general election – Lab: 356 seats to Con: 197 – 3rd Labour win under Blair.
• 19th May, 2005 – Tony Blair is hit by a purple substance in the Commons by “Fathers 4 Justice” group. House suspended. View in Real Player

Tony Blair and John Prescott turn towards the demonstrators in the public gallery. A few seconds later a bag hits the Prime Minister on his back, bursts and spills its purple contents in front of the Chancellor.

The Speaker suspends the House. The PM had been inclined to ignore the incident, but others seemed to panic and rushed outside, particularly from the Tory benches in defiance of all conventions. Had this been ricin or another deadly chemical, our politicians would have (inadvertently) spread the contagion to the streets of London. It was in the end harmless coloured flour, but the incident highlighted concerns about the safety of parliamentarians.

• 27th June, 2001– first PMQs after 7th June general election – Lab: 413 seats to Con: 166 – 2nd Labour win under Blair.

No 10 Downing Street Website

Previous PMQs – No 10’s website

View The Parliament Channel Live

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