The trick to doing Question Time

While preparing for my first Question Time last night, talking to former panellists, I discovered a strata of politics I didn’t know existed. With five million viewers it’s the most-watched political TV programme and is taken incredibly seriously by all parties. Blair expected his Cabinet to do it, and face the public (although one G. Brown never did). “Clear the whole day for it,” one Shadow Cabinet member advised me. “No lunch, no nothing, just prepare”. Some of the advice was chemical (half a beta blocker to calm the nerves, it turns out, is a trick of the trade). Most MPs advised ignoring the questioners, and saying what you wanted to say. Melanie Phillips’ advice was to do exactly the opposite. One minister suggested practising an array of facial gestures and postures: this speaks louder than words, he said. I was amazed that a seasoned TV veteran said his only advice was not to do it at all.