Prime Minister's Questions

Prime minister's questions (often abbreviated to PMQs and officially known as Questions to the Prime Minister) is questioning by MPs of the prime minister that takes place by constitutional convention in the United Kingdom, since 1997 held as a single session every Wednesday when the House of Commons is sitting, during which the prime minister spends around half an hour answering questions from members of parliament (MPs).

PMQs forms an important part of British political culture and, due to the natural drama of the sessions, it is among the best-known parliamentary business in the country, with tickets to the Strangers' Gallery (the public gallery) for Wednesdays being the most sought-after parliamentary tickets.

Read more about Prime Minister's Questions:  History, Practice, Leaders At The Dispatch Box Since 1961, Deputy Prime Minister's Questions

Famous quotes containing the words prime minister, prime, minister and/or questions:

    Being prime minister is a lonely job.... you cannot lead from the crowd.
    Margaret Thatcher (b. 1925)

    One’s prime is elusive. You little girls, when you grow up, must be on the alert to recognize your prime at whatever time of your life it may occur. You must then live it to the full.
    Muriel Spark (b. 1918)

    He had a gentleman-like frankness in his behaviour, and as a great point of honour as a minister can have, especially a minister at the head of the treasury, where numberless sturdy and insatiable beggars of condition apply, who cannot all be gratified, nor all with safety be refused.
    Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)

    Dignity, and even holiness too, sometimes, are more questions of coat and waistcoat than some people imagine.
    Charles Dickens (1812–1870)