THE PM'S QUESTION TIME

This important occasion in parliamentary life really is becoming more like a Punch & Judy show. Sometimes you see Gordon, sometimes you see Harriet, his lady-in waiting and if both are too busy on more important matters, there is always another Jack in the box ready to cover any absence !!!

This is "As You Like It" as the Bard would have said, where Gordon plays the role of the unwilling schoolboy winding his weary way to the Commons. This could be true if Gordon did not play truant so often !!!

Alas, this serious Parliamentary occasion should not be glibly treated as a sideshow. This occasion has been created to give the Opposition the chance to question the Prime Minister on current events which would not normally be debated in Parliament. Gordon Brown should normally be available and present each week !!!

It seems to me that basically the problem of the Prime Minister's absence from the weekly "Prime Minister's Question Time" debate stems from the timing of this debate.

Would it not be better to reschedule the debate for the Monday morning at 11am instead of on Wednesday as at present ?

This would enable Gordon Brown to work on his files on Saturday and Sunday, and then leak his best ideas to the Cabinet and the Press on the Monday morning before "Prime Minister's Question Time " at 11am to midday. He could then grab some sandwiches and be off on his next trip.

The advantage is quite clear. It would leave him four and a half days each week to travel without interruption instead of twice two days as at present.

Additionally, since all MPs now have a first or second home near Parliament, none should have a problem of clocking-on before 11am on Monday mornings to assist in the debate.