Question Time with Boris

On Wednesday 3rd of March four Nonsuch politicians sat in the illustrious surroundings of Harrow’s Speech Room eagerly awaiting the arrival of our London Mayor Boris Johnson. For the next two hours Boris and the London Assembly (minus its BNP member) ‘answered’ the questions posed by audience members gathered from the surrounding areas of Brent and Harrow.
Despite the best efforts of a thoroughly incompetent chairman (“No, Mr Mayor – I’m not going to allow you to speak!”) the meeting proved a great success covering the major issues of crime and policing, the Olympics, the environment and transport. The atmosphere remained largely positive in spite of several controversial comments from the audience and the regular interruptions of a highly enthusiastic euro-sceptic who amused us all by continually yelling “leave the EU!”
Boris was easily the most accomplished politician on the stage and was generally popular, his Etonian wit saved him from several sticky situations and we suspect proved useful in preparation for his appearance on the more high profile BBC Question Time broadcast the following evening.
For more information please follow this link to the London Assembly Website which includes a full webcast of the event.

Many thanks to Nonsuch's CM and CF for that report! All contributions to the blog are very welcome - if you have anything political or historical you would like to share, please get in touch with Mr Coy or Mrs Budden.

BNP on Question Time

Is the BBC right to allow Nick Griffin to speak for the BNP on Question Time tonight? Please let us know what you think, and if you watch the programme, post your reaction here.

PS: Here is a strongly worded comment on the subject from The Guardian
PPS: Here is some early reaction to the programme. The BNP is claiming that Griffin was hounded by the panel and the audience.
PPPS: Question Time got more viewers than Strictly Come Dancing this week! Here is the verdict of several writers in The Times. Here is the verdict of Bonnie Greer (a panellist on the programme) in the Daily Mail.
PPPPS: Here's Nick Robinson's observation of the situation, and 300+ comments on his blog post.

Starkey on Brown

Here's David Starkey on Wednesday's Question Time discussing whether politicians should keep details of their health private. Check out how Ben Bradshaw struggles to maintain his composure despite getting increasingly irritated and how Starkey manages to compare Brown to both Chairman Mao and Henry VIII.

PS: The Adam Boulton clip showing Brown grimacing and getting up to leave while his microphone is still attached is here.

Question Time comedy moments

Some light relief on Question Time here and for those of you budding politicians out there, some guidance on public speaking here.