23 October 2003

Find out what you had to say about the topics discussed on Question Time, broadcast on 23 October from Worcester.

The topics discussed this week were:

• Conservative leadership
• Police and racism
• Concorde
• George Galloway
• Diana, Princess of Wales
• General comments on the programme

Conservative leadership

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Audience question: Is the Conservative Party doing this country a terrible disservice by continuing not to remove the clearly unelectable IDS? You said:

Who needs a Tory party? We have a perfectly good opposition in the Lib Dems.
Dave, Teignmouth

I dont think IDS should go - his policies are sound, which is the most important thing. However, he must go - because he no longer has the support required, and the perception of him is not that of a credible leader.
Jason Hancock, Coventry

Leave Iain Duncan Smith as leader. He's the best tool Labour has for keeping the Conservatives out.
Phillip McLoughlin, Liverpool

IDS was elected by the members of the Tory Party who rejected Ken Clarke for the second time. He should not resign.
Mrs W Smith, Dalgety Bay, Dunfermline

If the Conservatives want to get back in office they should ditch IDS. He is useless and doesn't deserve loyalty as he was a key rebel who caused John Major so many problems. What they need is someone who understands real people's problems and lives in the real world. Vote Portillo.
Chris Broom, Dundee

I really want to vote for a party which is capable of beating Labour. IDS stands no chance of becoming PM.
Peter Ribbens, Rochester, Kent

Text: Michael Portillo has the charisma and ability to lead the party and I would vote Tory if he were elected.
Rachel P, London

Text: IDS does not deserve to be treated like this and neither did William Hague.
David, Yeovil

Iain Duncan Smith will never defeat Tony Blair in a general election for the same reason that Neil Kinnock never stood a chance against Margaret Thatcher. To bring down a strong personality, you need to have one, and however much IDS may keep the PM on his toes in the Commons, he has completely failed to reach the general public.
Wayne Spillett, Folkestone

People should at least call Iain Duncan Smith by his full name and not IDS (an insult). I don't hear Tony Blair being called TB!
Peter Fulmyk, London

Text: Ken Clarke, IDS, Tony Blair with a pacemaker... Who cares?
Justin, Abergavenny

When are we going to stop being fooled by this myth that Tony Blair is a great and charismatic leader? He is an appalling speaker and never ever sounds sincere. Iain Duncan Smith has never sounded any worse or any less charismatic than Tony Blair.
E Bell, Birkenhead

Text: IDS is a weak leader. The Tories need a strong leader if they are to win the next election.
Tim, Bude

Iain Duncan Smith should be given the chance to continue with the excellent policies he has already put forward but the media are determined to screw the Tory party.
K S Smith, Dalgety Bay, Dunfermline

Text: The Tory party is doing itself a disservice by arguing about IDS. Get behind him and provide a strong opposition for the government.
Darren, Surrey

Are the people of this country so gullible that a person's image is more important than what they stand for? Tony Blair can do anything yet still gets in because of his image and spin, yet the Tories are not given a chance because they do not look so good in front of the camera. It is time this country woke up.
Loraine, Hailsham

Text: Michael Portillo is the only man to lead the Conservatives to a victory at the next election.
HS, Warrington

The Tory party is a puzzle. The only person who can win the next election for them is Michael Portillo and yet the whole of the party seems to hate him - perhaps because of "youthful indiscretions". While the stalwarts of the Tory party continue in their ignorance, they do not deserve power.
Christopher Davis, Glossop

Text: I don't think any party is providing answers to the needs of this country. We need action not fighting between politicians. Let's get down to business and help the people of this country. Action is needed.
Jon, Preston

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Police and racism

Audience question: Does the panel believe that racists are attracted to the police force because it enables them to bully the objects of their hatred under the disguise of law enforcement? You said:

The Secret Policeman documentary was chilling in its contents and implications. It showed how little has changed within the police force since the Lawrence Report.
Milena Buyum, London

I was disappointed by the weak, non-committal responses to the questions raised by the recent television programme exposing the abhorent racist attitude of some of our police force.

As long as no-one is prepared to actually stand up and tell the whole truth about the fundamental issues within our police force, the institution will continue to chug along in its usual ineffectual way with the odd gesture of change thrown in now and again.
Fiona Campbell, London

The behaviour of the recruits on the programme was disgraceful but people seem to be generalising and tarring the whole police force with the same brush. Even the programme acknowledged that those recruits were a minority - 99% of the police are good and decent people and charges of institutional racisim only undermines their authority.
Chris, London

I am an Indian male serving Police Officer, with only three months in service after my training. I was very upset to hear about these comments in the programme on BBC One last Tuesday regarding racist individuals in the training centre. Throughout my short service I have had NO COMMENTS as such against me. My message to any person from an ethnic minority who has been affected by this programme in a negative way is to see for themselves. DON'T GIVE UP A WONDERFUL CAREER FOR THE SAKE OF A FEW IGNORANT INDIVIDUALS.
Manoj Masuria, West Midlands

On the subject of racism in the police force, how do you legislate for a frame of mind? Surely we should be looking at why those recruits thought the way that they did? We need to look at the way we educate our children.
Ian Swann, Congleton

You don't have to look at the police force to find racism in the UK. It exists in just about every profession. The problem is that a multi-cultural society isn't working and widespread racism just proves it!
David George, Redditch

After watching the police programme on television the other night, I was left feeling shocked, horrified and really quite disturbed. I am a 35-year-old Indian woman, born and brought up in this country. At present I am training for a degree in mental health nursing and really love it. However three or so years ago I was considering whether to apply for the police force and put it off for a while. After watching that programme it just made me realise what an absolutely unjust society I live in.
Miss Pauline Gill, Derby

Despite the good intentions of this journalism, I fear that the exposé will only drive the hardcore racists further underground.
J Higgins,

They did not know they were being filmed and were talking in a boastful fashion. Their true attitude could be completely different.
W Aul, Romford

Text: I am a police officer with 20 years' service. I applaud the journalist for an excellent piece of investigative journalism. If nothing else we are rid of some deceitful recruits. I hope that the rumour that he is to be prosecuted for damaging his uniform to install a hidden camera is ill founded.
Paul McElhinney, Birmingham

Text: Racism is a problem across society not just in the police. The vast majority of us are not racist but we all get tarred with the same brush.
Sam, Notts

Unfortunately I believe that the issues raised by the BBC investigation are not only relevant to the police themselves, but speak volumes about the views of many white twenty-something males in this country towards different ethnic groups. The police recruits mainly reflect this group of society and, rather than isolating the police themselves, we need to confront and educate about racism in this population as a whole. With the recent rise of the BNP and such studies as this one conducted by the BBC, the trends show a wider ranging racism within the population that needs to be confronted.
Tony, Liverpool

Text: The views of those trainees are so extreme that they cannot be "trained out". They should be identified before joining.
PD, Gwent

I have been a Met police officer for the last 15 years. I have never encountered anything like the racist comments shown in the programme. Don't let us forget that ever since the Lawrence report, the public have been told that the police are racist. It's no wonder that people who ARE racists think it's a good place to work. We don't want them!
Mary Phillips, Chalfont St Giles

Text: It's unfortunate but a certain amount of racism is bred into children by their parents whether they are black, white, yellow or green.
Malcolm, Liverpool

What is shocking is that everyone seems so shocked about the fact that there are racist elements in the police force. Black people have been saying this for years. Why does it take a covert interview for this reality to be accepted? Did you think we were lying?
K Sonaike, London

In relation to the "fly on the wall" investigation programme about the police, I've been in the force for 13 years and have NEVER EVER come across the attitudes shown. Had I done, I can categorically say that any person making such remarks or comments would have been sacked/disciplined. Whilst I appreciate what the programme found - which personally and professionally I found horrific - I would urge people not to paint us all with the same brush. We are here to serve and protect you. And 99.9% of the time you will meet an officer who will treat you with fairness and courtesy regardless of race, colour, gender etc. I am proud of the job that myself and a vast amount of my colleagues do.
Andrew McCarthy, Cardiff

I think the policeman in your audience who says he saw no racism in nine years on the police force is talking rubbish. We have all seen how endemic this problem is. I think the sooner we ALL admit there is a problem and that it is HUGE, the sooner we may begin to deal with it and attract more black and Asian people into the force.
Mike Holt, London

With regard to the debate about institutionalised racism, none of the panel or members of the audience have raised the issue of black-on-white racism. Why is this always a taboo subject? Racism is both ways. However, the people in power are so obsessed with being seen to protect ethnic minority groups, largely to secure votes and be politically correct, I think. This comes from a person who has many coloured friends but who has been attacked by black racists as well.
Nick Roberts, Stoke on Trent

Text: The police do a fantastic job. This constant slamming will only force more good officers out.
AD, Hull

As far as police racism is concerned, I think people are missing the main driver of racism. I think the driver presently is fear - the fear that is stirred by media coverage of Muslim extremist groups which (according to the media) pose a threat to normal people living their lives.
Mick, Manchester

With regard to racism in the police service, would it not be an idea to send officers and recruits to Pakistan and India and Africa to experience the diverse cultures of mankind and develop a broader mind-set of what makes up the views and feelings and lives of ethnic groups in Britain? I think racism develops through a lack of knowledge and experience of cultures worldwide.
Fergus Davidson, Cardiff

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Concorde

Audience question: In 100 years' time, will Concorde be remembered more as an economic failure than as an engineering triumph? You said:

Concorde was paid for by the British people, and now it has come to the end of its commercial life, it is still morally owned by us. It is a marvel of British engineering skill and ingenuity, and I'm appalled that British Government can't get their act together to find a way to save Concorde for the nation's heritage.
Neil read, Hornby, Nr Lancaster

I would like to comment on Richard Branson's remarks about Concorde. I am in full support of his views that this great icon of British engineering should be kept in flying condition for our future generations - it is a major part of our aviation heritage. I hope BA recognise the value of his support and allow this plane grace our skies on special occasions in the future.
Will Norman, Coventry

Text: Concorde is a classic that has failed its MoT.
EB, Surrey

I'd just like to say I wish there was more that the public and Richard Branson could do to save a major part of our terrific modern history. My late father helped spray some of the first Concordes and would be very upset to see that part of his life destroyed as would (I imagine) the rest of the work force and crew who have put their lives into this visual masterpiece. Long live the safest plane ever built.
Dee Lawrence, Bath

Text: Virgin should have been allowed to buy the Concorde fleet!
Steve Maguire, Kent

Text: Branson can't run trains let alone Concorde.
Jason, Aberdeen

What makes you think you can fly around the world in 80 hours, when it takes 4 hours (PLUS delays) to get from London to Liverpool?
Greg Barratt, Liverpool

As the tax payer has paid for Concorde, why did Branson not get it?
Jen, Southampton

I am very saddened that Concorde will not be seen in the skies any more after tomorrow. Concorde will be remembered for being a great engineering feat and I think progress should have been made in supersonic development in this country. The grounding of Concorde is a great step backwards for aviation development and history for Britain. I would like to see Sir Richard Branson be given the chance to buy and run the Concorde fleet commercially if he so wishes.
Steve Fuller, Hove, East Sussex

It is outrageous that BA should be permitted to consign them to the scrap heap when Sir Richard Branson wanted to keep them flying.
Stuart Hewlett-Clarke, Manchester

Text: Is Concorde broke? No - so why ground it? That just seems like a waste.
Phill, Wrexham

Text: Should Concorde be allowed to be retired so soon after the millions spent on refitting them?
M Concannon, Hemel Hempstead, Herts

Although I understand BA's decision to withdraw Concorde, I believe this is an extremely sad loss to the whole world. I fully support, and strongly applaud Richard Branson in his efforts to keep Concorde 'alive' by including her in future air shows. Keep up the fight Richard!
Vivienne Mitchinson, Blaydon-on-Tyne

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George Galloway

Audience question: Was Labour justified in expelling George Galloway from the party? You said:

Is the expulsion of George Galloway not just another blow against democracy and free speech?
Scott Clarke, Greenock

If George Galloway can be suspended for making what could be construed by some as "treasonable" comments then, by the same token, why can't individuals from previous governments who helped to supply Saddam Hussein's regime with arms also be investigated?
Garth B, Hull, UK

Text: We argue about Galloway but everyone forgets about the people suffering in Iraq.
Rajeed, Bristol

I would frankly like to see George Galloway thrown out of Parliament, not only because of his disgraceful comments encouraging people to fight against our troops, but also for his sickening praise of Saddam Hussein.
Nick, London

Text: George Galloway is backed by millions. Tory Blair watch out.
Yo, Batley

Galloway is backed by millions of who?
David, Nottingham

Text: Good riddance to the MP for Baghdad Central.
Alex, York

Text: Galloway may be extreme but concerns about the war remain.
MBH, Bristol

Text: It should have been Tony Blair not George Galloway who left the Labour party over Iraq.
Paul and Kate, Pershore

Text: Galloway was a Saddam sympathiser, not an Iraqi sympathiser.
KA, Worcs

Is the expulsion of George Galloway not just another blow against democracy and free speech?
Scott Clarke, Greenock

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Diana, Princess of Wales

Audience question: Is it right the media should continue to speculate, and allude to a conspiracy regarding the death of Princess Diana, rather than letting her rest in peace? You said:

How can Princess Diana rest in peace having gone to her grave herself feeling that a conspiracy was in motion? For her to truly rest in peace, surely her fears should be confronted. This would really honour her memory.
Garry Wimble, Croydon

Text: Let her rest in peace. Consider her poor sons.
AD, Glasgow

It is sad to see that no-one was really animated about the Diana letters. After all this has been the main conversation among the public all week.
Ian, Hants

The media will continue to speculate until there is an open, public inquest.
CC, Conwy

Text: The tabloids had no respect during her life so won't stop now Diana is dead.
TJ Hughes, Kidderminster

Text: She's a one woman industry. She makes a lot of money for a lot of people - including Burrell.
Terry, Kent

Diana was an increasing embarrassment to this country. However, she merely died in an accident that was likely to happen.
Romano, Ruislip

Text: Strange that Burrell says this now his book's out. No respect.
Tom, Weston-s-Mare

The butler should give his royalties to the trust fund.
Annie, Blackburn

If this was a conspiracy theory then the public have a right to know, however, Paul Burrell should not be cashing in on this major tragedy.
Bob, Bradford

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General comments on the programme:

A good selection of up-to-date topics which are relevant to society now. Keep up the good work!
Oliver Williams , London

It is very sad that you chose to invite Richard Branson to tonight's programme in order to give him yet again a chance to have a dig at BA. It would have been a far better idea to have one of the designers of Concorde instead or even one of the pilots involved at the start of its flying life.
Marion Humm, Windsor

I have just switched off Question Time. It was nothing more than a "socialist stitch-up" - four socialists (including the chairman) and a Conservative.
Jack, Aberdeen

I thoroughly enjoyed tonight's programme. Could it be because there were only two politicians on? I suggest nil politicians soon so we can get some answers!
G S Dawson, Leicester

Text: Lloyd Webber should be on every week!
Andy, Southampton

I watched Question Time tonight and was surprised that there was no Liberal Democrat panel member. Given the Brent by-election only a few weeks ago, Tony Blair's current unpopularity and the Tory leadership problem, support amongst the general population for the three main political parties is more evenly spread than for two decades. Why is it, given the current political landscape, that only Labour and Conservative politicians are guests on your programme?
Mark Inskip

Text: I think Mr Branson should run the country. I think he is fantastic.
Kev, Shrewsbury

Text: Branson is a very poor speaker.
Tracey, Newcastle

Richard Branson - mega business man, strangely inarticulate.
Mary Kallagher, King's Lynn

A good selection of up to date topics which are relevant to society now. Keep up the good work!
Oliver Williams, London

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