AS we looked for who was appearing on this week's typically disappointing Question Time panel, we stumbled upon their FAQ.
One entry caught our eye: "How does Question Time select its audiences and panel members?"
We clicked through, with the promise of a "former executive editor" of the show explaining the process, and were treated to a rather old-looking page – from 2005, to be exact.
So, what does it say about the process?
"Question Time is rooted in politics and therefore has to achieve a fair and appropriate representation from the various political parties across the UK.
"In normal programmes, that means Labour and the Conservatives are virtually always represented; in the majority of editions, so are the Liberal Democrats.
"We keep these proportions – and those of smaller parties – under constant review, taking as our guide the level of electoral support at national level which each party enjoys."
You might be aware that the situation has somewhat changed since 2005 ... the SNP are the now third largest party in the Commons, and have the second highest membership numbers.
You'll definitely be aware that they are certainly not represented in "the majority of editions". The last SNP politician to appear on the weekly show was in Perth on May 31, and the previous in Leeds on March 22.
Even allowing for the SNP having a slightly smaller proportion of seats than the LibDems had at the time, the fact they represent Scotland should play into that "across the UK" line rather nicely.
Perhaps the process has changed? We'd love to see an updated FAQ if so.
And to return from that detour, you won't be surprised by this week's panel, appearing from King's Lynn.
The full #bbcqt panel this Thursday in Exeter: @SuellaBraverman, @labourlewis, @The_Real_JSP, @helenlewis and businessman Johan Eliasch
— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) June 27, 2018
10.45pm on @bbcone pic.twitter.com/aZ7Y4kxWtO
So, we have...
- Suella Braverman, a Tory MP and Brexit Minister
- Helen Lewis, deputy editor of the New Statesman
- Janet Street-Porter, broadcaster and former editor
- Johan Eliasch, a Swedish-born businessman and environmentalist
- Clive Lewis, Labour shadow treasury minister
The topic of Brexit will come up. One of most high-profile and important debates on the EU Withdrawal Bill is the threat it poses to devolved parliaments.
Which of these panellists will raise that issue – and which will represent the voice of the devolved parliaments?
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel