People Over Performances: End Bear‑Pit PMQs
Our political system is based around conflict. Prime Minister’s Questions, where MPs shout, jeer and boo represents the worst of our Parliamentary System. It normalises aggression and sends a message to the public that in politics anything goes.
At a time when democracy is under threat and violence against politicians is on the rise, the weekly spectacle of MPs behaving as if they were in a school playground not only normalises aggressive behaviour and point-scoring it also makes politicians look ridiculous. Other countries look at our Parliament and wonder what on earth is going on.
Politicians hold our lives in their hands. A lot of their work involves respectful collaboration and co-operation across party lines but if you watch PMQ’s you’d be excused for thinking you’d ended up in a school playground. Like it or not, PMQ’s sets the tone for how politicians are perceived by the public.
Our polling shows that a majority of the public think such behaviour should have no place in parliament. Yet parliament clings on to this out-moded tradition.
We need a parliament fit for the 21st Century. We need our leaders to behave in ways that model civility and respect. That’s why we are asking you to sign our letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons asking him to replace PMQ’s with a functional and effective system of accountability.
We have already submitted evidence on the harmful impact of PMQ’s to the Speaker and the House of Commons Modernisation Committee but they need to know that you care too. That’s why we’re asking you to sign our letter to the Speaker saying you want things to change
Our Letter to the Speaker
To: The Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons
Dear Mr Speaker,
Prime Minister’s Questions in its current form has become a deeply flawed spectacle, where jeering, personal attacks, and disruption overshadow serious political scrutiny. This archaic style of debate diminishes the dignity of the House and damages public confidence in Parliament.
Recent incidents, including moments where Members have been visibly distressed, highlight how the boundaries between robust debate and personal humiliation are all too easily crossed. Such behaviour not only undermines the decorum of the Chamber but also fosters a toxic environment that is harmful to the wellbeing of all Members.
While vigorous political accountability is vital, it must be conducted with respect and professionalism. The House must commit to replacing this outdated format with a modern system of accountability—one that restores dignity to debate, prioritises constructive dialogue, and reflects the standards of conduct expected in any professional workplace.
Replace Prime Minister’s Questions with a Modern System of Accountability
Scrap the current PMQs format. Its outdated style of jeering, booing, and personal attacks undermines serious debate and public trust.
- Introduce a modern system of accountability that replaces PMQs with respectful, constructive, and effective scrutiny of the Prime Minister.
- Ensure the new system promotes clear, evidence-based questioning without interruptions or disrespect.
- Hold MPs to professional standards of behaviour, reflecting the respect expected in any workplace.
We believe these steps would make a meaningful difference—not only to the way Parliament works, but to how it is perceived by the public. Thank you for considering our request and for all you do to uphold the dignity of the House.
Yours sincerely,
The Undersigned
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Traditional it may be but the toxic nature of political debate spreads far wider and actually encourages the toxicity within the media and social media
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I would like to see how debates operate in the devolved areas to show Westminster ‘debate’ isn’t usual anymore. PMs (of any hue) never answer the questions as they are scared of the answers. It’s a farce
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Totally agree that the way MPs speak to each other is despicable.
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When teaching, I expected my students to debate respectfully. I wanted to teach them more about how Parliament worked, but had to avoid introducing them to PMQs because it was, and still is, such a disgraceful display of intolerably bad behaviour.
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Politics should be about seeking the best way forward for our country. Adults debating and exploring issues. Currently, PMQs comes across more like an unruly classroom (indeed a teacher would be ashamed to have their class behave like that), petty point-scoring and jeering. Our country should not be run as a pantomime: I want a democracy I can be proud of.
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Our confrontational systems encourage polarisation rather than informed debate.
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PMQ has been a disgrace for years, but never more than now. I would so love to see it go!
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