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
Like this to spread the word
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Greig Thomson signed via CiP Admin 2025-07-04 18:35:17 +0100 -
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Harnam Gill signed via CiP Admin 2025-07-04 18:19:02 +0100
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Hilary Ellwood signed via CiP Admin 2025-07-04 18:04:18 +0100Prime Minister’s Questions is an outdated, nasty, public-school-type mode of behaviour which is disgusting. Yes the Government needs to be held to account but this can be done in a different, precise but measured way where stupid point scoring is outlawed. The current system does not concentrate on getting real answers to questions but on making the questioner look ‘clever’ – as they think – and the opposition look ‘stupid’. For Gods sake lets stop this.
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Catherine Graham-Harrison followed this page 2025-07-04 17:49:10 +0100
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Rob Hill signed via CiP Admin 2025-07-04 17:48:56 +0100Some participants need to grow up, and start to actually do some good
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Robert Dickson signed via CiP Admin 2025-07-04 17:43:04 +0100
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Maurice Whitehead signed via CiP Admin 2025-07-04 17:40:17 +0100
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Mr Hoyle, Ms Badenoch’s remarks on Wednesday concerning a clearly distressed Ms Reeves were cruel and appalling but typical of the behaviour regularly seen during PMQs, where point scoring rather than reasoned political scrutiny seems to be the norm. What kind of example do you think this behaviour usually accompanied by baying MPs sends to our young people?? Whilst young people may not regularly watch PMQs there’s no doubt that the worst and most notorious snippets make it on to social media or extracts can be seen on News bulletins etc.
I’m in my 70s and I have to say that in recent years I’ve found myself increasingly disillusioned with our politicians, so much so that I no longer vote for any of the main Parties but choose an independent candidate who appears to have sensible and good moral aims and views. I value my vote and am keen to always use it even if nowadays it has absolutely no impact on the result in my constituency. I’m sure that I’m not alone in feeling like this and isn’t it sad and a great pity that it has come to this?
Thanks for taking the time to read this and I would value any comments you might have. -
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Marilyn Garvie signed via CiP Admin 2025-07-04 17:04:38 +0100This behaviour would not be tolorared in any other work place, so why are the people that we have elected to speak on our behalf, act so viciously towards a colleague, albeit an opposition colleague.
If I had spoken to a work colleague or a member of the public in this manner whilst doing my job, I would have been dismissed and maybe even taken to court.
They are supposed to be adults doing a serious job, not out and out bullies. -
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Sarah Linnell signed via Barbara Bacon 2025-07-04 16:48:30 +0100
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This weeks debacle with the speaker and
Kemi’s comments were totally uncalled for. -
There is enough conflict and war and general unpleasant behaviour in the World right now. I do not want to see politicians debasing each other in the House of Commons, its dehumanising and unrespectful. Stop the bullying !
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Barbara Bacon signed via CiP Admin 2025-07-04 16:28:46 +0100
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R Ainscough signed via CiP Admin 2025-07-04 16:19:28 +0100Nobody deserves to be treated in an unkind and humiliating way. Teachers and parents work hard to get this message across to children and adolescents. That work is undone by those shameful people who think politics is some sort of tit-for-tat game. This is not respectful adult behaviour.
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