Politicians' private livesDavid Blunkett as home secretaryID cardsTurnaround schoolsPre-budget statementFather ChristmasGeneral comments on the programme
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received:
Audience question: Following the David Blunkett affair, was Tony Blair right to say that ministers should be free to pursue private lives without moral censure?
You said:
The Labour government have had their chance, seven years in government and things have just got so much worse! I really don't know how they have survived this far. I have lost count of the amount of scandals!
Murray Bryant, London
When it was Bill Clinton, it was "just sex" and Americans were "puritanical". Who cares about Blunkett's sex life? The only thing that matters is if he is performing well as a home secretary.
Mary K., San Francisco, California USA
The fashionable notion that one's private life has nothing to do with one's public life, which Mr Blair seems to share, is both illogical and morally indefensible. I, for one, want to feel that our lawmakers are people I can broadly respect. If those who tell us what to do cannot be trusted in their private life, or pretend their behaviour is of no consequence if no-one is looking, how can they be trusted in the affairs of State?
John Wainwright
INTERACT WITH QUESTION TIME
Text: When it was Boris Johnson, Tories sacked him. When it's Blunkett, Labour say they will hold an inquiry? Funny that.
B, Leigh on Sea
When the Conservatives were in power, every personal "moment of madness" was seized upon by the opposition as evidence of Tory politicians' inability to conduct their public roles. As soon as Labour is in power, "politicians have a right to a private life."
Alastair, London
Text: Blunkett is in the public eye so he should pay the price for his actions.
Simon, Wellington Heath
Politicians' private lives should not remain private. These are the very people making the moral laws and judgements which affect us all, so they should be in a position to be scrutinised and the results of such scrutiny expected unquestionably to come up clean each time.
John Drake, Jersey
At a time when the government is, in many ways, increasingly impinging on everyone's private lives (from drinking/smoking to ID cards), is it not a bit rich to talk of politicians' private lives being sacrosanct?
Mark Walters, Southport
Text: Why are Labour MPs allowed to now have a private life but Tory ones were not?
Gary, Wirral
If politicians want a private life they should not be politicians.
Malcolm Morris, London
The girl in red, who commented on the question regarding David Blunkett, is very perceptive. It is far past the time that concrete rules were set as to what can be considered public interest and what is to be defended as private. As the member of the audience states, failure to do so leaves a gap which is soon filled with tabloid sleaze stories.
Matt, Amsterdam, NL
Tony Blair seems to strongly back David Blunkett. Is this due to the fact that David Blunkett is the most loyal of all the MPs to Tony Blair?
Mark Coyle, Paisley
Text: Blunkett has been honest about what has happened in his private life. Now leave him alone.
El, Halifax
I am a serving member of the forces, and if I had fraudulently used a travel warrant for somebody else I would face a possible court martial and loss of career. Why should it be any different for David Blunkett? One rule for us and another for them.
Damian Maloney, Hants
Isn't the idea of privacy rather muddying the waters? The outcry is about whether he abused his powers on someone's behalf, not what occurred during his actual affair.
Mark Walters, Southport
The problem is that Mr Blunkett has stood on a platform that has lectured people on family values, but now he shows that he has no regard for these whatsoever, and is prepared to risk the life of an unborn child to suit his own vanity.
Paul Rowlands, Bracknell
"Blunkett does his job and does it well. That's what counts"
Mr Blunkett is involved in the potential break up of a family - when he publicly preaches against single, teenage parentage.
Susan, London
Strange that the Labour party didn't believe politicians were entitled to a private life when they were trying to get elected in '97.
Omar, London
John Sergeant is exactly right. The inquiry will be a whitewash. Blair, Blunkett et al would not have set it up if they weren't sure of the outcome.
Mick Brewer, Rotherham
Text: Is this really an issue? Or are the media still hurting over not getting a scalp over Iraq?
Jon, Glasgow
"Private life" in MP-speak means anything a politician wants to get away with. "Public duties" means his or her salary. So, when they say, "My private life has nothing to do with my public duties", they mean, "I can do whatever I like and still take your money". You get what you put up with.
Gary Player, London
So MPs should have a private life, and it has nothing to do with their job? How is it that over the years, any members of HM Forces who are found to be having affairs etc are sacked, and lose their pensions? What is that, if it is not double standards?
Rysard Pierechod, Gloucester
How can we expect to have a society that behaves in a moral way if we select "leaders" who do not practice private virtue? If these "leaders" are found to have misrepresented themselves are they not then fair game?
Alex Barclay, Lancs
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David Blunkett as home secretary
Audience question: With reports on rising crime, immigration chaos, a paternity suit, and allegations of fast tracking a visa application, can Mr Blunkett continue as a credible home secretary?
You said:
Apart from Mr Blunkett's behaviour, doesn't his lady friend's behaviour deserve much closer scrutiny?
Mrs Jean Hill, Denholme, Bradford.
Text: David Blunkett's arrogance is unbelievable. He should have gone a long time ago.
Paul, Westward Ho!
Should David Blunkett be issued with an Asbo? Breaking up a family is at least a moderately anti-social act.
IH, London
Not only was the visa in question issued very speedily, it was issued in contravention of the regulations, ie less than four years.
Marie Howard, Bromsgrove
"Nanny state, nanny government, now nanny visa"
I find it difficult to understand how a nanny could get her right to remain fast-tracked after just four years when people such as my friend who work in the NHS cannot apply for the same status and have their request fast tracked, despite coming from a former British colony where English is the only spoken language and the fact that there is an absolute lack of qualified doctors.
Earl Ash, Edinburgh
Text: Sorry Mr Blunkett, you broke the rules. You must go.
Clive, Chesterfield
Because Mr Blunkett has now paid for the rail ticket for his "escort", has he now not created a "stated case" for use by all fraudsters or thieves whereby once found out, they can then offer to pay for what they have dishonestly appropriated and avoid prosecution or consequences?
Kevin Flynn, Liverpool
Text: You live by the sword, you die by the sword. Goodbye Mr Blunkett.
Neil, Oxford
Sorry Hazel, we the public are concerned about this whole matter and David Blunkett's behaviour is quite frankly disgraceful. And no, John, I don't think this matter is minor at all. And no, I do not admire David Blunkett, because his handling of immigration, crime and terrorism, if examined, has been as awful as was his handling of education. When he left education it was in a mess. The same is now true about his current department.
Liz Bell, Birkenhead
Text: There are more important issues for us to be concerned about than visas even if he did fast track it.
Virgil, Windsor
How can Hazel Blears go on about his integrity when he has effectively been caught stealing?
Graham Lloyd-Mead, Bournemouth
Text: It is not relevant how he conducts his private life. More to the point is - has he abused his position? That is not acceptable.
Claire, Birmingham
Over 20 minutes spent on the trivial question of Blunkett. What a waste!
Jason Jones, London
Text: Very disappointed with Alan Duncan's response. Seems to be supporting the traditions which helped get the Tories voted out last time!
Dave, London
As a police officer I am expected to set a good example at all times, both on and off duty. Surely if my boss is unable to do the same he must lose his job, just as I would?
Richard , Cumbria
Text: Is it possible it's to take the heat off the more important issue of Blunkett's identity card scheme?
Jess, Glasgow
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Audience question: Would the £3bn Mr Blunkett is proposing to spend on identity cards not be better spent on making it safe for people to open their front door and not be murdered?
You said:
Former US Marine, David Bieber was on the run from US authorities and had lived in the UK for some years. Last Christmas he ruthlessly and mercilessly killed Pc Ian Broadhurst. If an ID card had been part of the requirement for David Bieber to staying here, Pc Ian Broadhurst would be alive today.
Graham Knowles, Luxembourg
In relation to the debate on ID cards, Hazel Blears mentioned that 80% of people were in favour of their introduction. I know of no-one who has been asked their opinion on this subject. It would also be interesting to know if some members of the public have been canvassed and exactly what questions were put to them.
A Young, Edinburgh
We can vote against ID cards by refusing to submit fingerprints and iris scans.
Matthew Fitzgerald, Manchester
Can the government hold a referendum on ID cards? If the minister is right that 80% of the public are in favour of them, I'd like to see that proved in a vote.
Rea, Birmingham
I agree with ID cards but not the fee, and also the amount of information the government want is excessive.
Pat, Merseyside
Three billion pounds may seem a lot of money for the technology behind ID cards. But this is a drop in the ocean compared to the money that organised crime could spend on cracking this technology. Each time that the current technology was defeated/usurped by organised crime, the government would need to reissue new and updated cards, at what cost?
Mark Walters, Southport
How can ID cards work? If people can create false identities then the ID card is just another document to forge!!!!!
Paul Rustom, Farnham
Under the Data Protection Act, one has to give one's consent to anyone who wishes to hold information on them on a database. For these compulsory ID cards, data obviously has to be held on you, so if I refused consent for the government to hold information on me (I have severe reservations about my biometric data being "securely" held), does that leave me without an identity and mean I have broken the law?
Richard Griffiths, Nottingham
If police stop terrorists and ask them to produce their ID cards at the police station in five days as motorists have to, do you think it will stop them setting off bombs?
Dennis Spence, Hampstead, London
"What's the issue? If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to worry about!"
I live most of the year in Spain, where identity cards are a requirement for virtually every aspect of life. I hope that we can avoid their introduction in the UK because once they've been established it will be impossible to remove them. I don't support any particular political party. All have their merits and many individual MPs from the Labour Party seem very open and honest.
But the Labour government is hiding the truth from the British people, that ID cards will fit into Labour's EU agenda. Most of the panel and audience on the programme seemed to be against ID cards. My only real concern is how will we stop the government with such a large majority. Can the opposition parties force Blair out?
Paymon M Knight, Barbastro (Spain)
What's the issue? If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to worry about! People are more willing to give away more personal details when filling in a guarantee for products or making a purchase!
Ian Gibson, Voorhout the Netherlands [formerly of Manchester]
Text: Let's talk about the real issue. Uncontrolled immigration.
Bob, Croydon
I deeply distrust ID cards and will not be prepared to give my finger prints, retina scan or any genetic material whatsoever as I think this is a deeply personal thing.
Jim, Ipswich
Text: Won't ID cards help prevent crime? Isn't that the point of them!
Claire, Birmingham
Does any politician actually know what information is going to be included on the ID cards? And what about security of the database?
Alasdair, Edinburgh
Text: I'm a police officer and we need more money to help people and deter crime.
Tony, Chichester
I've been broken into three times in the past two months alone. Could you tell me how compulsory cards for passports holders will help me, when the last person who broke in to my home is prevented from holding a passport which is HOW you intend to introduce these cards? And also could you explain how you expect people to pay £85 for being law-abiding citizens when people prevented from holding passports will not have to pay this amount? Is it a case of law abiders are penalised for law breakers?
Jym, Leicester
Text: ID cards. Waste of money, waste of time, waste of space.
Paul, Kirkby
Who would be responsible if someone from a terrorist group accesses our data, steals our identity and gets us into trouble? Would the ID and the data be safe with the government? I doubt it.
Anupama, Warrington
Text: Given the inadequacies in electronic security is it wise to have such intimate details on a centralised database?
Paul, Batley
I do not know anyone who disagrees with having the new identity cards. If you're an honest person, what is the problem?
Roy Moore
Text: How long will it be before ID cards are faked?
CW, Kingston
Why are passports not scanned and checked at airports and ports and checked against the Interpol database? This would remove the need for ID cards.
Raf, St Neots
Text: Sorry Labour, ID card? No way. I'm no longer voting Labour.
Ed, Gateshead
With money being forged almost the same day as it is changed how does Hazel promise that ID cards won't be forged?
Pat, Derby
It seems ID cards are inherently flawed by the fact that you have to reference to issue one. With identity theft growing so fast, how can it be guaranteed that the incorrect ID cards are issued to someone who has stolen someone's identification?
Dean Ayres, Sutton
"ID cards will not stop a single crime - they didn't in Madrid and they wouldn't have in New York"
Virtually 100% of the Question Time audience was against ID cards yet polls show 80% of the population supports them. Does the BBC deliberately select audiences with anti-government views?
Malcolm Johnston, London
Hazel Blears really isn't competent to be in power. ID cards will not stop a single crime - they didn't in Madrid and they wouldn't have in New York. in both cases the perpetrators entered on legitimate documents. If Ms Blears doesn't understand that she is either a liar or a fool; I don't think she's a liar so that only leaves one option!
John, UK
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Audience question: Will the Tories' idea of turnaround schools merely turn difficult and vulnerable students into criminals at a young age?
You said:
I believe it is about time we had places for disruptive children. We need to teach respect and decency to the majority of young people today. There is a total lack of any care and consideration, and I feel we should have national service quickly for all young people - or the birch or cane. Give back discipline to teachers and head masters/mistresses; stop unruly, rude, negative young people and NOW.
Kathie Shopland, Plymouth
John Sergeant is the only person talking sense. Excluding children will make them more anti-social. Crime is facilitated by company! This information is available - ask any developmental psychologist to furnish you with the necessary info.
Lindy , London
How can the liberals suggest we keep unruly pupils in a classroom amongst people with true talent? If you have troublemakers at the bottom of the class and the pupils who can take authority at the top, the equilibrium of ability must be drawn somewhere.
Sadly, also in my own personal experience, this convergence of ability falls in the downwards direction. Unruly pupils make school a living nightmare for the talented pupils, which holds the nation back, and therefore they should be relegated to specially created schools where the emphasis can be placed on how to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner as compared to the teaching of academic subjects.
Andrew, Glasgow
Text: As a teacher, I think the Tories have this spot on. Howard is at last getting to grips - so good on them.
ADL, Norwich
Today, like many days, my hard working wife, who teaches in a Luton school, was told to "F" off by a pupil. How is the panel going to solve that problem?
Mike Kirkman, Arlesey
Text: I'm 14 and, contrary to what the panel thinks, not all teenagers are disruptive and play truant!
Matt, Bristol
Will the fact that you have been excluded from school go on your ID card, along with a criminal record?
Steven Attridge, London
Text: Isn't the problem largely down to teachers being unable to punish kids effectively due to fear of retribution under the Human Rights Act?
Andrew, Airdrie
Why, in education, when we talk about levelling the playing field, is it always the case that standards are dropped to the lowest point, rather than trying to aid children to improve themselves? This only leads to those children who wish to try to do well being held back and deprived of support.
Mark Walters, Southport
Text: Don't segregate naughty children and don't segregate naughty adults - it's cheaper.
Steve, Nottingham
Text: Nanny Blears wants to ruin the education of thousands by keeping disruptive kids in school.
Will, London
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Audience question: Isn't Gordon Brown all spend, spend, spend, and today's pre-budget statement all talk, talk, talk? How can all these promises be met without an increase in tax rates?
You said:
I am glad to see the new deal parents of young children are going to receive to entice them into work. My children are at primary school and high school now and did not benefit from such a service despite the fact that I had to work even before they were school age. Are we going to see benefits for parents of older children, who cost a lot more in terms of clothing, entertainment etc?
Helen, Glasgow
Text: The government spending all the time just reflects on the people spending what they haven't got!
John, Trearddur Bay
Why are the prime minister and chancellor (who have had children within the last few years) concentrating so much on childcare? Why should I, as a single person, pay for other people's children out of my taxes?
John Blenkinsop, Cleveland
Text: Labour have always been tax and spend.
Mike, Worcs
I am so disappointed that a psychologist should think it's preferable for children under four to be in institutionalised care instead of being lovingly cared for by their parents. Parents should receive help to care for their children at home - not help to send them away and spend less time with them.
Marie Peacock, Salisbury
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Audience question: Is the bid to encourage children to believe in Father Christmas a form of early indoctrination into our current political climate, where lies and pretence appear favoured over truth and substance?
You said:
Children should be allowed and encouraged to use their imaginations. As a qualified nursery nurse and also a mother, it is very important that children should have the freedom to learn and discover through play, especially if they are still young enough to believe in Father Christmas.
Nowadays children are expected to grow up earlier and earlier and it's about time we acted to protect them to ensure they have a safe, well-adjusted upbringing and not shoved into the cold harsh reality of the world too early. We need to safeguard their childhood so they can look back with fondness.
Claire Priestley, Derby
Text: We're allowed to teach kids religion, so why not Father Xmas?
Nick, Lancs
One would think that Santa was more about indoctrinating children into the culture of meaningless purchase, to perpetuate companies' sales growth.
Mark Walters, Southport
Text: Santa doesn't exist? You've ruined my night.
Trev, Essex
Text: Maybe Santa could provide good panellists for next week's show.
Pat, Sheffield
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General comments on the programme
You said:
If you closed your eyes, you would have thought Jo Brand was on the panel last night instead of John Sergeant. I thought his comments regarding Blunkett being blind/not being able to actually read were patronising in the extreme. Yes he's in a top job in Government, yes he's blind.......Get over it
Karen Turnbull, Buckingham
Best Question Time for weeks! Good panel - agree with them or not, all the politicians knew their stuff and the non-politicians were much better than the comedians who have been on the show recently.
Even the audience seemed switched on tonight with quite searching questions and comments. Also, can't remember the last time a Conservative received more applause than a Labour minister - and in Manchester too!!
Graeme Coombes, London, UK
Text: What a great panellist Raj Persaud is. He should be on every week.
Terry, Ashford
Tonight's show has been turned into the Hazel Blears show. She has been allowed far too much time to talk. I usually enjoy the programme but this woman has spoilt it tonight.
P J Vince, Ipswich
Text: John, you're so much more eloquent than Hazel. Perhaps you should pursue a career in politics?
Jamie, Hammersmith
I really enjoyed tonight's programme. I thought Dr Raj Persaud and Alan Duncan were excellent, thoughtful and fair in their answers. The audience seemed to be very balanced which was refreshing and made for an very enjoyable programme. I wish Hazel Blears and Sarah Teather would stop towing the party line all the time though!
Jon Harrison, York
"Can we have some real role models with real morals?"
John Sergeant is the only one of that bunch of buffoons who I'd vote for!
Paul Rowlands, Bracknell
Text: The only thing more irritating than listening to Hazel Blears is looking at her smug surgical smile while others talk.
David, Herts
Text: If we are having females on the panel can we have Julie Kirkbride back on the show. She is never boring.
John, Chester
Text: Great to see Raj on the panel, he's great. Can we have Janet Street Porter next week?
N, Brighton
Text: Is this Question Time or the Hazel Blears show?
Paul, Oxon
Text: Well done Sarah. Stand up to the bully Duncan! He would not have said that to John Sergeant.
Allan, Coventry
I really think it's time David Dimbleby resigned from Question Time. Surely the role of a chairman is to enable the panel and public to have their say, rather than become the central character in the pantomime that QT is becoming? The chair's role is not to comment on the panels response, nor to grill them Paxman-like because you do not agree with what they say. The role is to enable all with an opinion to speak.
Rob, Midlands
Text: When will we have a real Labour minister with power on this programme rather than Hazel Blears, again?
Irmani, Essex
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