What you've said: 12 May 2005

Find out what you had to say about Question Time on Thursday, 12 May, 2005, from Leeds.

The topics discussed were:

Labour's victory

English democracy

Ban on hooded tops

Conservative younger generation

Boris Johnson

Moscow VE celebrations

Manchester United

General comments on the programme

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received:

Labour's victory

Audience question: Did Labour win its third term through popularity or because of poor opposition?

You said:

Text: Hague would have won had he been leader.
Ken, Croydon

The Conservatives may have been weak opposition but Boris's opening response this evening shows that they have real entertainers!
Phillip Lane, London

Text: Here we go again, another four years of lies and spin!
Wayne, Parkwood

Text: Low turn-out is caused by Tony being a Tory.
David, Burton-on-Trent

Text: Labour won because the Tories are not a credible alternative.
Luch, Southampton

Text: When one in five people supports Blair how can you call that a democracy?
Andy, Liverpool

Text: Constitutional affairs? Another job for Tony's cronies.
NV, Herts

Text: Forget 'New Labour', bring back 'TRUE LABOUR'!
Chris, Kernow

Text: The Tories missed a golden chance. They blew it.
Chris, Horsham

Text: I voted Labour, with the hope we will end up with Brown as leader.
Jill, Brum

Text: Labour got in because of a good economic track record in a consumer society.
David, Northwood

Text: If you ignore Scottish and Welsh votes, who after all wanted devolution, England would have a Tory government.
Sheila, Dunstable

Text: Make voting compulsory and fine any dodgers.
Hugh, Billingshurst

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English democracy

Audience question: In England, more people voted Conservative than Labour but Labour has 93 more seats in English constituencies. So, is England not now a democracy?

You said:

I think it is time that the other two parties and the media - stopped behaving like bad losers. Too bad, despite all your efforts and dirty tactics, Labour have WON - fair and square! Let Blair and his cabinet get on with doing their job now! Blair has said he will not stand for a further term. Gordon Brown is a brilliant Chancellor but would not have the charisma for the Prime Ministerial role. Furthermore, his current job would never be so expertly filled. Leave well along PLEASE!
Sandra, Wiltshire

A questioner in the audience raised the very obvious and pertinent question of why Labour in 1997 had not honoured the unequivocal manifesto commitment to hold a referendum on the introduction of PR. Harriet Harman quite deliberately obfuscated the issue. It appeared that David Dimbleby had in front of him a copy of the 1997 manifesto commitment yet he did not press the question and the whole issue was allowed to dribble to an ignominious close - and H Harman got away with her tactics (being employed by all government members when taxed on the subject). The grossly unrepresentative first-past-the-post system under which we now have a government that 78% of the electorate did not vote for is THE most important issue at present under consideration in the news. What is it about the BBC - with its remit to inform and educate - that ensures that all presenters drop the subject of electoral reform like hot coal; and that on this occasion it was not pursued as obviously it ought to have been.
Joe Patterson, London

Could I just point out that Wales does not have it's own parliament, it has an assembly, which has hardly any powers. When the people of Wales vote for a MP, they are voting for that person to represent them at Westminster not Cardiff. Therefore, their votes should be taken into consideration. Any laws passed in England are also passed in Wales.
Mel, Telford, Shropshire

I was amazed at the comments from the audience in Leeds in terms of: "we gave the Scots their own parliament". The people in England did not give us our own parliament. We Scots voted in a referendum for it after supporting parties at the ballot box who had promised us that they would move towards re-establishing our own parliament. Perhaps the audience and panel should read up on UK history in terms of the "Act of Union". As for England voting Tory in this recent election and getting Labour again, this did not seem an issue when other parts of the UK consistently voted Labour but got a Tory Government. Again perhaps a greater understanding of UK history might have helped.
Bryan Ritchie, Helensburgh

Electoral reform is vital if we are to have a voting system that works in this country.
Richard Jerrett, Cardiff

Labour have won the general election through being the most popular party, winning the most seats in the new House of Commons. I think whoever won the election, the losing parties would find something to complain about.
Steve Fuller, East Sussex

I have always ended up living in safe constituencies (for one party or another) and in 36 years of being entitled to vote not once has my vote meant anything or helped elect a candidate. With proportional representation (not boundary changes) I would at least feel someone was speaking for me and that I had a meaningful investment in government.
George, London

Text: Labour won. Get over it!
Nige, Sheffield

Proportional Representation, Proportional Representation, Proportional Representation should be the chant of any democracy. 38% representation is similar to the Boston Tea Party. I have voted Liberal but have no voice, like the rest of Cornwall.
Simon Howett, Launceston Cornwall

In Scotland we spent 18 years of voting for Labour by a massive majority and got a Tory Government which piloted now discredited legislation such as the poll tax and decimated our industry and economy. Live with it.
Bobby Lavelle, Glasgow

Please England do get a parliament - and take your Tory MPs with you! Stop holding the rest of the UK back!
Craig, Edinburgh, Scotland

Text: We all seem pretty disillusioned. Why not stand Raving next time? We all can!
Rachel, Dover

Text: We've got the government now get on with it. Stop talking about it.
E A, Bolton

How can Labour say it has a mandate to govern when the vast majority didn't vote for the party?
Martin, UK

Text: Why all the fuss? Twas ever thus...
Stephen, Southampton

I am shocked to hear that in England the Conservatives won the election by more than 60k votes, yet we are saddled with a Labour government while both Scotland and Wales have their own governments. So much for the great British democracy. There is no wonder that fewer people vote every election - why bother if we don't get what we have voted for?
Iain Cowper, Bridport

Text: A defeat for democracy... Galloway won.
CW, Sussex

The 1997 Labour manifesto stated: "We are committed to a referendum on the voting system for the House of Commons". There were no qualifications, just a commitment to a referendum. When are we going to get the referendum?
Simon, Poole

Why can the UK not have an electoral system that has an English, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh Parliament that can debate their own issues and then, when required, the same MPs debate and vote on UK matters? This could also reduce the amount of MPs.
Gary Daley, Lincoln

Is there not too much government in this country already? There are town/parish councils, county councils, UK parliament, European parliament... this stinks of more jobs for the boys. Somebody in this country has got to pay for all this bureaucracy.
Steve Ellis, Nuneaton

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Ban on hooded tops

Audience question: Do you agree with John Prescott's wanting a ban on hoodies and baseball caps in shopping malls?

You said:

There is a well established precedent in retail banking where motor cyclists are required to remove their helmets before entering a branch. What's the problem? Let's wait until hordes of Islamic ladies start mugging people in the street and holding up banks in their burkas before we worry about religious dress.
Jon Jaffa, Totteridge, London

I consider myself quite young (at 30) & I was still brought up that when you went indoors you took your hat off! This comes down to the fundamental point of discipline at home.
Neil Kightley, Northampton

I lived in Arabia for some years and in the state where I lived and worked it was forbidden for men to cover their face with their headdress in shops banks and markets etc. Likewise it was forbidden for cars and other vehicles to have darkened glass that was so occlusive that you could not see the occupants of the vehicle. Well, they can do that can¿t they because they are not encumbered with a human rights charter that is biased in favour of protecting the individual above the community.
Paul Bastier, Windermere, Cumbria, England

A few days ago I was subjected to a barrage of obscene and abusive heckling from a group of young males, some of which was directed at my 8-month-old baby. I didn't know any of the group, and was just pushing the buggy down the street minding my own business. I had done nothing to provoke them. It was broad daylight on a busy street, and none of them were wearing hoodies. The real problem is not with people trying to conceal their identity, but with people who are proud to be notorious for their degraded behaviour, to whom an Asbo would not be a deterrent, but a prize.
Alison, Nuneaton

I agree 110% that we have a hideous dress sense, untidy and not practical in the least. People should feel ashamed. I'm a 22-year-old who does not follow fashion. I wear what is unique to myself to keep my identity and I don't care who stares. What I see is a sad nation of pretentious individuals making out they are something they are not, and worst of all it is in your face everywhere that we have to fit in with the trend. The image is cheap and tacky and I refuse to be part of that. We should all accept our differences and be content with it. I think the issue really points more in the direction of insecurity and anxiety.
Ms Elizabeth Daniels, Guiseley, Leeds

I believe that the comments on banning hooded tops is another moral panic, which in turn is labelling this group as deviant, thus creating a them and us. People should be allowed to wear the clothes that they choose.
Lynn Mooney, Fife

Text: Youth crime begins at home - modern parents have a lot to answer for.
Terry, Tantton

Text: I work in a job centre. A lot of young guys wear them and mostly they are polite and respectful.
Mel, Essex

Text: Ban the chavs, go Prescott.
Dave, Taunton

Perhaps if the government itself behaved less like yobs, so would society.
Phil Lello, Attleborough, Norfolk

Text: Why not ban people with tattoos, or piercings? And ginger people.... that's fair!?!
Fran, Liverpool

Text: Respect by the young doesn't exist anymore. God help us.
Phil, E Yorks

The first place I noticed banning headgear was our local Halfords. I ignored the sign, of course; I only go out in a baseball cap if I've not had time to tame my hair - every day is a bad hair day. No-one questioned it, but I still felt guilty shopping there.

If baseball cap bans become widespread I may have to invest in a Trilby... Is this a sign that I'm getting old?
Ed Loach, Clacton-on-Sea

Text: I am 60 and when cold wear a hoody.
Maggie, Brigg

Text: And Maggie was accused of a nanny state!
Muriel, Mansfield

The new craze called "happy slaps" in which young people go around hitting unwitting members of the public is an example of moral and social decline, and a problem that threatens to get out of control.
Mr Trott, Leeds

Text: There's a horrible race element implicit in the hoody issue, isn't there?
Nikki, London

Text: Parents should be made responsible for the actions of their kids.
Stuart, Sandbach

If you are thinking of banning teenagers wearing 'hoodies' to hide their faces, just consider this - are Muslims wearing jilbabs going to be banned also?
G MacTaggart, Grimsby

Text: What sort of government bans what clothes people can wear?
G, Alnwick

Will Bluewater stop selling hoodies as well? Will it be allowed to try one on instore?
Taz Kernain, London

Text: Groups of youngsters despite their dress can be intimidating.
TS, Leeds

I wear a baseball and I'm 38! - to keep the rain off my head and out of my hearing aid. The issue is gangs of people not spending money, wandering around the street or the shopping centres, intimidating. It's not all about dress. Sort out the real reasons behind the causes. Don't stop me wearing a cap!
Howard Davies, Birmingham

If John Prescott banned "hoodies" and baseball hats in his home city of Hull, 3/4 of people under 20 wouldn't be allowed out of their house.
Chris

Text: Removing the problem will not cure it.
Danny, Ipswich

When are the politicians going to admit that the root cause of youth's disrespectful behaviour is lack of discipline in schools. Since corporal punishment was banned, disrespect has increased and now an entire generation is growing up without respect for property, society or authority.
Steven Young, Glasgow

Text: Never thought I'd say it but bring back national service. No discipline any more.
Keith, Rugby

What the government needs to do is to re-introduce national service. This should help reduce the problems of the behaviour of the current youths of today. Four years should give them respect, if not a better generation for the future. Other countries do it, why not the UK?
Antony Wilson, Wakefield

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Conservative younger generation

Audience question: Given that Michael Howard has appointed young MPs to his shadow cabinet, is it now time for the leadership of the party to pass to a younger generation?

You said:

Michael Howard seems to be missing the point, promoting all these young guns to his cabinet when there is no need. The Conservatives have the best politick in the UK, squashed in the back-benchers. Ken Clarke is what is needed. Even though I am most certainly not a Conservative, if he was leader I could see him single-handedly winning the next election for Conservative party.
Ben Spiro-Hughes, Manchester

Conservatives and younger generation in the same sentence! What is the world coming to?
Neil, Lewes

Text: David Davis will lead the Tories back to power in 2009.
Chris, Putney

The Tories are doomed but they might as well go out with a bang!
Neil, Lewes

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Boris Johnson

Audience question: Should Boris Johnson stand as Tory party leader?

You said:

Boris Johnson ceased to be funny quite some time ago. Trading on a couple of joke appearances on "Have I Got News For You" is one thing but he's simply obnoxious and crass on a programme such as 'Question Time'.
Robert Crosby, Nottingham, UK

Boris Johnson is an absolute legend! He is a joy to watch and a credit to the party! If he stands in the Tory leadership contest he can count on my vote!
Peter Kearney, Bromborough

Boris, Boris he's our man, if Boris can't lead 'em no one can!
Neil, Lewes

Text: Hands up if you love Boris. I think he's great. Maybe he can take over when old man Howard resigns.
Steve, Portsmouth

Please don't wish Boris Johnson on the country as leader of the Conservatives. After the trouble he caused in Liverpool regarding Ken Bigley think of the trouble he could cause for the country just by opening his mouth. Please spare the country that injustice.
Ann Doran, Liverpool

Tour de force from Bozza Johnson tonight. I'd vote for him.
Paul Jackson, South Moreton

Text: Boris has charisma. Why can't he lead the Tories?
Sarah, Wrexham

Go Boris Go! The Tories would definitely get my vote with him in charge!
Dan, Bristol

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Moscow VE celebrations

Audience question: Was the PM right when he refused to represent this country in Moscow for the VE day celebrations?

You said:

The Queen, our Head of State rarely, if ever represents this country at ceremonies abroad. She usually sends someone else. For instance Charles represented her at Pope John Paul's funeral. I don't recall members of the panel or anyone else ever complaining about it. There were others at the Moscow celebration who were not heads of state or PMs. Now I know having a go at Tony Blair is the new spectator sport, but for goodness sake give the guy a break. Stop moaning and get a life.
Peter Haymes, Felixstowe

Millions gave their lives for this country and Tony Blair could not give up one day to go to Russia; nor the short time to attend the ceremony in London. How disgraceful.
Anne, Abergavenny

Tony Blair knew when he chose 5 May as election day when the VE day commemoration would occur - after all the world has known for 60 years when it would happen! It is disgraceful that he saw fit not to attend especially as this country fought for the whole six years of the war. But then it just highlights the contempt Blair has for anything other than his political neck.
John, Ipswich

How many in the audience or on the panel attended the VE day tributes?
A, Stevenage

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Manchester United

Audience question: Would the panel like to join with the people of Leeds in congratulating Malcolm Glazer in his takeover of Manchester United?

You said:

Why should the government have an opinion as to how Manchester United FC progress to the future? Nanny state again. The fans can control the issue by not attending games and therefore reducing revenue.

I am tired of hearing about Man Utd wherever I go in the world. Lets return to the days when your team was where you lived and bring back some loyaty to your local area!
David J Fraser, Upton-upon-Severn

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General comments on the programme

You said:

I live in the South of France and regularly watch BBC 1,2,3&4 and always watch your programme. Anyone throughout most of France and much of Spain can do so with a Free-to-Air receiver and a satellite dish directed towards the Astra 2 satellite.
Colin Maxwell, Nimes, France

Lynne Featherstone seemed to be the only person on the panel making reasoned, constructive comments. Can we have her again, please?
Russell Hughes, Southport

Oh my goodness, I am getting sick to death of watching QT just using its panel to attack the Labour Government! This is supposed to be an intelligent, rounded, balanced discussion - it ends up every week being four others versus one Labour person. Why bother inviting the Labour spokesperson, just have five people ranting about how horrible and nasty the government are. Anyone would think that the Tory party was just misunderstood and the Lib Dems the best thing since sliced bread.
Katrina Bull, Notts

I do actually watch Question Time on occasion but feel that it is very watered down. It would make the programme more interesting if each member of the panel was connected to a lie detector which could sound bells and lights when it detected a lie. I feel that in such a case, there would be very few politicians willing to appear on the programme. If they did appear would you have time to fit in any questions due to all the alarms going off?
W G Doe, Salisbury

Has the BBC hired a team of apprentice cameramen for tonight's Question Time? I cannot remember seeing such a poor, uncoordinated series of camera shots where virtually every point made by the audience was made off camera in a disembodied way. I think there should be an apology made to the audience. Many questioners have now missed their one minute of fame in the spotlight.
Tim Westbrook, Radlett

Text: I just have to say it's fantastic to see Boris again.
Dominic, Northampton

Harriet Harman gets more like a bossy head girl with no sense of humour every time she appears on this programme. Her disdain for anyone else's point of view is infuriating and makes for dull debating.
Pollen, Haslemere

Lordy, this panel and audience are the most incompetent array of fools ever to appear on this programme. Embarrassingly, Harriet Harman is making the Labour Party look like some kind of ramshackle vigilante group. Boris Johnson is just a silly boy. The rest of them are making their objective views with a distinct lack of eloquence. Tell the parties to parachute in people who can make competent and COHERENT arguments!
Your average Joe, Normalsville

Text: It makes me laugh how disgraced MPs are awarded decent jobs in the cabinet.
Sean, Lancaster

Just the usual QT Tory-bashing again.
James, Inverness

Boris you're great. But concerning the cap wearing situation, by all means wear a cap but show your eyes and don't try to look too dodgy in it. And yes, we also watch in Holland!
Christine Lowes, Holland

Text: Why have we got a constitutional affairs minister when this country does not have a constitution?
Paul, London

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