Why do politicians stand up between questions in PMQs

spitzoid · 17 Jun 2009 at 23:55

Pretty dull thread really.

If any of you have ever watched some of the debates that go on in the House of Commons then perhaps you'll know what I am talking about. If not, don't worry.

I have just been watching Prime Minister's Question on BBC iPlayer. Ridicule me for this dispicable act if you will, but my question is: Does anyone know why some MPs stand up briefly between questions?

Imo, it looks like one of those Whack-The-Mole games. (I wish I had a suitable hammer)

Yours ever,

spitzoid.
x

spitzoid · 17 Jun 2009 at 23:59

Cob said:
Is it not to show support for the previous speaker?

As in 'here here'.

I don't think so. If that was the case then why don't all the "here here"-ers all stand up?

spitzoid · 18 Jun 2009 at 00:03

Greenlizard0 said:
Isn't it so they can speak, sort of like children putting their hand up at school?

But surely something like PMQs is carefully planned, therefore standing up is futile (i.e. they won't get to speak).

Anyway, I would have thought that every single one of those busybodies would have something to say about everything that is said. If it is the case that they are just standing up in a "hands-up" manner then surely everybody would stand up after every question. However, it is only a few each time.

spitzoid · 18 Jun 2009 at 00:04

RIZZEE said:
i was told it was tradition, back in the old times (dont ask me when) sometimes if the person didnt know the question, the person standing up would take it, dont quote me on this because im not too sure if this is true

You sound like Karl Pilkington

spitzoid · 18 Jun 2009 at 00:11

RIZZEE said:
who?

Alright?