PRIME MINISTER'S QUESTIONS
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE SCORE
John Major
Surprised by Blair's line of questioning (mixed wards on the NHS), his strategy was to pretend Blair had asked about the state of the NHS overall, and reply to that. His answers to other questions were also poor.
3/10
Tony
Blair
Forced Major close to admitting that despite government promises two years ago, the abolition of mixed wards had not been made a priority and nothing had been done.
7/10
THEMES OF THE DAY
"Low levels of unemployment in my constituency" (Ann Winterton, C. Congleton; Graham Riddick, C. Colne Valley)
Education Boards in Northern Ireland (John Hume, SDLP Foyle)
Beef (Roseanna Cunningham, SNP Perth and Kinross)
BLAIR'S ATTACK
Blair had been expected to ask questions about handguns but instead asked three questions on the government's promise to end mixed-sex wards in NHS hospitals. Major did not know whether to be glad or worried by Blair's choice.
GOOD DAY.. ...BAD DAY
MARGARET HODGE
asked whether Major was aware that fifty per cent of women who are put into psychiatric hospitals have a history of sex abuse, and asked for a date for the abolition of mixed wards. Major replied she should not `paint a picture of the NHS that does not exist for the people who actually use the NHS'.
GRAHAM RIDDICK
hopefully the last in a long line of Conservative MPs to stand up and tell Major how marvellously low unemployment is in their constituency, and ask whether he thinks this is thanks to the Conservative Government.
QUIP OF THE DAY
"If you vote red, you live in the red". The best attack a flustered Major could manage, focusing on Labour's proposals for a windfall tax.
UNANSWERED QUESTION
Hume: "Could you explain to me why your Minister of Education has proposed that the number of education boards... in Northern Ireland be reduced from five to three... every MP from Northern Ireland... the leaders of all the political parties...and the leaders of all the churches have disagreed with him... all the local authorities have disagreed with him". "Well I don't believe that... I don't believe that is the position..." began Major, but he did not know. He said he would find out and write Mr Hume a letter.
CREEP OF THE DAY
Bernard Jenkin (C. Colchester N): "Is my Rt Hon Friend aware that the average household electricity bill in the Eastern area is pounds 272; in France it's pounds 366; and in Germany it's pounds 394. Doesn't this demonstrate the success of privatisation?"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments