What you've said: 25 March 2004

Find out what you had to say about the topics discussed on Question Time, broadcast on 25 March from Shrewsbury.

The topics discussed this week were:

• Tony Blair's visit to Libya
• The assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
• Surgeon suspended over soup
• Public trust in politicians
• First-time buyers
• Plain English Campaign
• General comments on the programme

Tony Blair's visit to Libya

Audience question: Is it appropriate that our prime minister attend a memorial service for 200 victims of terrorism, and then 24 hours later, meets with a man whose regime is responsible for the deaths of 270 people in Lockerbie?

You said:

Strange that we should be selling arms so quickly to Libya straight after a handshake - isn't this what causes problems in the first place?
Asif, London

Text: Thirty years on, there's a whole new generation of young Libyans who had no connection with Lockerbie or any other terrorist act. They deserve a break!!
Peter, Doncaster

Surely by opening dialogue with Gaddafi we can get the answers we need eg PC Fletcher and with a man like that behind you in that region maybe we will be able to seek and send to trial more terrorists.
Norman Hegarty, London

Text: Why didn't Tony Blair go and shake hands with Saddam? It would have saved us an unpopular war.
Jean, Sunderland

Text: Peace is not achieved by silence, at some point we have to talk to the enemy, why not now?
Robert Inglis

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Text: What's happened in Libya is great news, and all down to what we did in Iraq.
Peter, Whitehaven

How can Mr Blair congratulate Col Gaddafi on his destruction of mass weapons when he has destructed the very man who was employed to search them out? How does he know that Col Gaddafi has done so?
Edeard Jones, Penarth

Although I agree that we should recognise the changed attitudes of Gaddafi, I hope that Barbara Follett's sentiments about working with regimes are consistently applied. If George Bush entered the office of US president with the preconceived notion of going to war in Iraq, that makes him an example of perpetuating old attitudes and makes him no better than Hitler.
Sara, Glasgow

Just what does Tony Benn and the studio audience want? They don't want war in Iraq, they don't want us to talk peace with Libya, what do they want? Us to close our eyes and ears, turn our backs, and wash our hands of all the world's problems and trouble spots?
Adrian, Brighton

Text: How can we not offer a truce with a Middle East ally like Libya? America sponsored terrorism too.
Jason McGilvray

People should see through the actions of Blair. All this talk about shaking hands with Colonel Gaddafi who was once the mad dog of the Middle East. What's changed? He still is the mad dog of the Middle East. The public should know that Britain's rendezvous with Iraq has cost British taxpayers dearly, and with Britain just pipped at the post in Iraq, with the US laying their hands on the coveted oilfields of Iraq first, Blair's now gone after the oilfield's of Libya! Shell is rubbing its hands with glee!
Sarah Frej, Richmond-Upon-Thames

Text: Libya should not be trusted. Tony Blair's judgement has been found wanting in the past.
Tim, Elgin

If Libya is sincere in its desire to change and given recent events, there is little reason to doubt it. Tony Blair is right to brush all the diplomatic mumbo jumbo to one side and get on with it. The sooner relations are repaired and we can move forward, the better for everyone.
Adrian, Dorchester

Text: Can the Libyan leopard really have changed his spots so rapidly? A case of indecent haste perhaps by Mr Blair.
Nigel, Bridport

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The assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin

Audience question: Is assassinating a disabled septuagenarian a realistic first step to a lasting peace in the Middle East?

You said:

Text: Israel have created a martyr for the Palestinians which will only lead to more bloodshed.
Ian, Leicester

The world must act now and act together Steve Brett, Leeds

There were also five other people killed in this attack who were not targeted. So is it alright to kill innocent bystanders? How is this any better than terrorists bombing innocent people?
Garrth B, Hull,

It was refreshing to see a progressive and balanced debate on the Arab-Israeli conflict. Ned Temko proved there is a strong desire in Jewish communities to return land for peace. Likewise, although Tony Benn kept to a pro-Arab stance, he showed that he felt the need for both sides to act together to find a solution to this terrible conflict. Audience comments were spot on too.
Aron, London

Text: How can the death of one of the worst terrorists in the world be anything but good?
Sam, London

Text: Israel terrorises with their tanks and rockets. What choice do the Palestinians have?
Jon, London

Why is everyone blaming the Americans for bankrolling Israel? What about Arab bankrolling of terrorist groups?
Nick, London

Surely Israel must be aware of the pain of being treated in the manner that they now treat the Palestinians. The world must act now and act together, without the United States, to force Israel to withdraw and allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Steve Brett, Leeds

I am tired of hearing different standards applied to Israel compared with the rest of the world, such as 9/11 and the recent terrorist outrage in Madrid. What do you do if those ultimately responsible for deliberately killing and maiming your citizens don't want to negotiate a peaceful solution but are fanatically committed to destroying your country completely? Doesn't Israel have a right to defend itself?
Gill, West Sussex

When will everyone realise that Israel has no interest in peace making, and it is Sharon who is the terrorist and Hamas and Islamic Jihad are only fighting for their land, they are not using F16s and Apaches to terrorise children.
Ben, London

I wish Tony Benn would learn to distinguish between the word "Jew" and the word "Israeli"
Greg, London

Text: Why is Israel always chastised for killing terrorists when we openly seek to do the same?
Chris, Leicester

Text: With the rise of religious fundamentalism Israel has only given the Palestinians more motivation.
Simon, Guildford

Text: Hamas openly calls for the genocide of the Jews. What choice does Israel have?
Dave, Stoke

Text: By killing the sheik, the Israelis have created a martyr, and even more recruits to their cause!
Adam, Stratford

Text: This world has forgotten the meaning of tolerance. We must all live side by side.
EA, Bolton

Text: Israel should be brought to justice for its terrorist acts against the Palestinians.
Maq

Text: Disabled or not he was head of a terrorist organisation and deserved it.
Jason Powell, Meriden

Text: Yassin was murdered by the biggest terrorist in the Middle East - Sharon!
Vinnie, West Dumbarton

Text: State terrorism is the same as ordinary terrorism. Both should be tackled.
Altaf, Preston

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Surgeon suspended over soup

Audience question: Should legislation be introduced determining the number of croutons to be served with soup?

You said:

I nearly choked on my soup and croutons when the audience member tried to state that privatisation was to blame for this petty micro management. And to my utter amazement he got a small round of applause!!
Nick, London,

What managers need is the power to discipline, not forgive, and to be supported Bill Dixon

Is Barbara Follett sure that Labour do not have a performance indicator on the number of croutons served?
J T Hennessey, Trowbridge

Text: People had potentially life saving ops cancelled due to bread! This is madness.
Sandra, Bolton

Why do we assume that everyone who works for the NHS is a model employee, and that any disciplinary action is an example of bureaucracy gone mad? They will have their problems with staff as much as anyone, and a medical qualification cannot carry indemnity from an organisation's rules.

If a nurse had taken the croutons they would have been suspended and probably sacked, he stole, full stop.
Paul Gray, Huntingdon

Many large organisations have a zero tolerance to theft, and I'd expect highly paid staff to set an example. Redwood's suggestion that a manager could adjudicate theft is totally impractical. What managers need is the power to discipline, not forgive, and to be supported.
Bill Dixon

Text: If a hospital porter had been suspended, would we now be discussing this?
Peter, Suffolk

When Tony Benn is an NHS in-patient I bet he gets offered a side ward like other posh pretenders. Most of us don't get the privilege!
John, Haverford west

Text: May I suggest free soup to all hospital staff.
JG, Welling

Text: Increase his £80,000.00 salary and he will be able to pay for extra croutons.
Frank, Southport

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Public trust in politicians

Audience question: Politicians are trusted by only a quarter of the electorate, so how can they improve their image?

You said:

Text: Less spin, more truth and personality would be a start.
CJR, Scotland

Apathy is the meat and drink of dictatorship Adrian, Dorchester

Be more like Tony Benn. Have the knowledge, intelligence, and consistency this man exhibits when he speaks, and have true interest in subjects you comment and decide on. Stop being biased hypocritical control-freaks and admit it when you have made bad decisions.
M.S., Brighton

People do find politics interesting as a visit to any pub will tell you. Politicians on the other hand are a shower of patronising bores.
Will, England

The MPs keep talking about apathy, but last year my son had to pay for a PE lesson. I sent emails to the parties and it was 10 months before I got a reply. My MP is Hilary Benn, I wish it was Tony Benn.
Mr John Osborne, Leeds

It is our apathy that allows those we have empowered to grow arrogant in their ivory towers, oblivious of our ill or unexpressed dissatisfaction. Apathy is the meat and drink of dictatorship. It is the single greatest threat to our democracy. Apathy is a luxury we cannot afford if we want some control over our lives and those we empower.
Adrian, Dorchester

I completely agree with Tony Benn's comments on politicians. We do feel that we are being managed and not represented. There is also great doubt in many people's minds on what we are being told and the actions being taken in our name.
Steve Fuller, Hove, East Sussex

Text: Politicians are natural born liars well done to Tony Benn for breaking the mould!
AW, Hull

Text: They can improve their image by only serving three terms at the most.
Mary, Chippenham

Regarding image - I think the Viscount should lose the handlebars! (moustache)
Andre Vaux, Witney, Oxfordshire

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Getting on the property ladder

Audience question: What would the panel do to ensure first-time buyers are able to get on the housing ladder?

You said:

It should be one of the most affordable things in life, not the most expensive Stuart Wood, Bedford

One developer announced in Shrewsbury yesterday that one of their town centre developments would not be available to buy to let purchasers. This raised my eyebrows but one would surely have difficulty policing it!
Elwyn Turner, Shrewsbury

The politicians' replies to the housing questions showed an appalling lack of understanding and evidenced how out of touch they are. In Tony Benn's case this was just another cue for a left wing rant. What a sorry bunch!
Graham, Cheshire

Your panel said in a roundabout way build more houses. Do they not realise that this country is over populated? If we cannot find houses for the people living here at present why are we letting more people come into the country? It is time a politician stood up and called for a stop to immigration - we have not got the room and we cannot afford it.
Steve Croney, Portsmouth

No, no, no, total cop out. There must not be any more buildings on any greenfields, particularly in the south. There is no shortage of houses, they are being bulldozed in some places. We must build much more densely on brownfield sites as they come available. Typical politicians, we tell other countries not to cut down their forests, yet promote the idea of building over our greenery! Of course the main driver of house demand is the half a million or so migrants a year who are let into the country.
James SG, London

Text: Limit second homes for income!
Rusty, Herts

Text: Tax second home ownership and take pressure off the market.
Laurie, Sheffield

Rented accommodation is effectively subsidised by the government through the housing benefits system. Why can this money not be spent on assisting young people to take that first step rather than putting it into the landlords pockets.
Craig, Basingstoke

There is an army of people with a bleak future because of this disastrous boom S Johnson, Chester

I must say I agree with Tony Benn's comments about building more council houses. I am in my (very!!) late thirties, never owned a house and do not have a problem with paying rent. Why are we so obsessed in this country about owning property? After all, what is a house? It is simply a place of shelter which I feel is a human right. It should be one of the most affordable things in life, not the most expensive.
Stuart Wood, Bedford

The current housing situation nationwide is a complete disaster. The government's answer to throw money at the market by giving key workers subsidized loans is a shambles, what about everyone else?

Why have property investors just been given big tax breaks when they should be getting taxed more? Why have savers had their Isa limits slashed?

The token gesture of building masses of high density rubbish in the south will just force prices of quality housing up even more. There is an army of people with a bleak future because of this disastrous boom.
S Johnson, Chester

Text: Tory policies of selling council houses have a lot to answer for.
Curly, Derby

Text: The housing problem isn't just in London.
Colin, Aberdeen

I feel the point should be made that the term 'house' should be replaced with 'home'. The 'house' has come to be a detached fortress that consumes all the space around it, this is the way we Britons live, and it is not a sustainable approach to life. A 'home' suggests a collective/community, perhaps getting to the civility that all are striving for.

My point being is that brownfield sites in the Thames Gateway need not be exploited as lush 'Barratt' estates, but become a series of interlinked community 'settlements' taking advantage of the surrounding environment.
Nicholas Scott, Glasgow

Each member of the panel chose to ignore the comments put forward by two members of the audience with regard to the issue of persons owning multiple houses.

The issue was raised at two separate times and on both occasions the panel chose to answer other questions. This item of the programme was immediately followed by the issue of straight talking, in which each member of the panel stated they wished all politicians would answer questions more directly and truthfully. I can only assume from this, that the housing questions were not answered because each member of the panel has invested and are gaining large returns on their personal housing portfolios.

The housing comments made by the panel suggested more housing and more council ownership, unfortunately council ownership will only aid those that are out of work and homeless. Thereby leaving those with jobs to fend for themselves and attempt to compete against those who are investing in properties.
Martin Turner, Gt Bentle

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Plain English Campaign

Audience question: At this moment in time, where are the panel coming from with regard to the Plain English Campaign's list of our most annoying phrases?

You said:

My all-time least favourite abuse of English is the modern use of "it begs the question" when what is meant is: "it raises" or "prompts the question".
Ranjit, London

I cannot believe that the phrase, if you can call it that, of "you know" did not make it into the top 10 of hated phrases. People (footballers in particular) do not even realise that they are saying it. So annoying!
James Harris, Sheffield

Text: Stop using American phrases!
Jon, London

There can hardly be a phrase more cringeworthy than the all-pervasive "hearts and minds". "Shoulder to shoulder" runs a close second though.
Ian Macbeth, Glasgow

Shame about John Redwood's final comments. By trying to score political points from a lighter question (which showed Tony Benn at his best!) Redwood proved that some politicians really are 'out of touch'. Did he swap his personality for a party badge?
Si Bunting, Southsea

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General comments on the programme:

You said:

Congratulations, this was the best QT by far, a great mix of panellists and a superb non-biased audience. Please have these panellists back.
James Barlow, Basingstoke

Like others who have commented on last night's programme I too thought that Tony Benn was brilliant. I thought Viscount Thurso's response regarding politicians and trust was spot on. Yes there are some individuals whom we can trust!
Karen Turnbull, Glasgow

Just had to comment on Tony Benn. He always said things the right way with the right clarity and passion. Best guest on Question Time so far!
Hasnara Begum, London

Text: Isn't it a shame that Tony Benn wasn't as frank and honest as this when he was an MP.
Terry, Kent

Text: Best panel for a long time, well done BBC.
Kenny, Dunfermline

Text: John Redwood should be an inspiration to all for his political dynamism. Long live John.
Philip Atkinson, Edinburgh

I think Tony Benn is absolutely wonderful! I hope I will have a chance to listen to him many more times. Thank you for introducing me to him.
Beverley Ali, London SE5

If we ever become a republic then Tony Benn must be a candidate for president. Wonderful programme last night.
Gordon, Bedford

Why was three quarters of your programme given to eastern politics when there are so many urgent national matters awaiting discussion?
C Tighe, Wigan, Lancs

Text: Tony Benn's integrity is sadly at odds with modern politics.
Mike, West Brom

Text: Tony Benn has unfortunately never been PM because he's never had more than one face.
Phil, Herts

Tonight's programme was one of the sanest, sensible and most interesting for some time - congratulations to all taking part.
Sylvia Dickins, Glasgow

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