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:
“No woman in my time will be Prime Minister or Chancellor or Foreign Secretary—not the top jobs. Anyway I wouldn’t want to be Prime Minister. You have to give yourself 100%.”
—Margaret Thatcher (b. 1925)
“Few white citizens are acquainted with blacks other than those projected by the media and the so—called educational system, which is nothing more than a system of rewards and punishments based upon one’s ability to pledge loyalty oaths to Anglo culture. The media and the “educational system” are the prime sources of racism in the United States.”
—Ishmael Reed (b. 1938)
“[T]he dignity of parliament it seems can brook no opposition to it’s power. Strange that a set of men who have made sale of their virtue to the minister should yet talk of retaining dignity!”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
“You mustn’t always believe what I say. Questions tempt you to tell lies, particularly when there is no answer.”
—Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)