Perception Panel

PMQs - February 28th by Giles Dilnot

PERCEPTION PANEL There might be something in the wind - today, we see an uncharacteristically kind response to the PM. Giles Dilnot How does it work? Which buttons do I press? Discuss the Panel

Your real-time responses to Prime Minister's Questions.

We saw lots of interesting things coming out of the Perception Panel this week, so thanks to those of you who've taken part.

This is not a poll, remember; it's a snapshot of people's perceptions of PMQs as they take place.

"Performance is up"

There was a lot of talk before this week's PMQs about whether people (that is, you) are more interested in policy or in personality.

Messrs Byers, Clarke and Milburn have been saying today that policy is the key - which is convenient if you don't want to talk personality. Sure enough, though, PMQs starts off with one of the biggest policy topics: the health service.

The video clip on the right is Tony Blair's response to a local query by Oxford Lib Dem Evan Harris.

We can see that Conservatives hate it, as you might expect. Labour supporters have recently been split over support for Blair; this week, though, on this policy, he gets more help than usual.

Not that Labour voters should be digging out the bunting: the group marked "Other" is simply not impressed with his answer.

And the closer you look, the less impressed they are. While Tories just show disapproval, it's a strong negative reaction that we see from the "Others" - and that's from the 45% of the population which isn't connected to the three main parties.

"Half the back-benchers think he's Mrs Rochester"

We've had some policy; now let's try personality.

Nick Robinson pointed out today just how much Cameron's assault on Blair is about Brown; about the frustration that we, the public and politicians feel over the wait for the transition.

The video clip on the right has Mr Cameron on this issue, and the PM's response.

Over the last few months, we've come to expect a universal surge of disapproval as soon as Mr Blair stands - even before he starts to speak.

But there might be something in the wind - today, we see an uncharacteristically kind response from Labour supporters. There's no split backing, and using our microscope, we see, in the dark patches, strong approval for Mr Blair.

"Impact on the public interest"

Finally, we go from one Labour leader to one who wants to be!

Michael Meacher's the man whose leadership bid was disrupted by his own mobile phone going off, and he had a question today on private equity.

Mr Meacher does well right across the board; this could be good news for him, or it could just be the topic itself - certainly, you showed deep concern about private equity firms and the PM's dodging of the issue at the most recent of his monthly press conferences.

Get in touch

We can look forward to some lively PMQs throughout 2007, so if you'd like to get involved in telling the Panel your Perceptions, tune in on Wednesdays with your fingers poised over the freephone number: 0800 666 808.

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