Review: BBC Question Time, 24th September 2009

And so just like it had never been away, the BBC's flagship political programme Question Time bounced back onto our screens tonight just like it had never been away. Thursday nights finally have something worth watching again (depending on what night of the week ITV can make their mind up to push Coronation Street into). How warming for the nights that are drawing in to have an hour in the company of Dumblebee once a week again. Let's just hope they take care not to appear to rig the studio audience balance... The Beeb brought in some big hitters for this first show of the new season.

Michael Heseltine condemned Gormless and accused him of being desperate to get a photo opportunity with Obama. Questioned the "special relationship" between the US and UK, making reference to the historic funding of the IRA. Rounded squarely - and with great effectiveness - on Harperson when she tried dodging questions on Libya. Said he likes and admires Baroness Scotland and so is saddened to have to say that - as architect of the law of which she is mired in scandal - she should leave her position in office. Rubbished the LibDem conference as not a conference at all. Spoke firmly on the issue of the LibDem's "mansion tax" and talked about London property values. Won cheers from the studio audience for his continuing attacks on the proposed LibDem policy and the personality attacks that the LibDems use in their campaigns. Said the UK does not have effective border controls and that those seeking to enter the UK via camps in Calais are economic migrants. Had the best line of the night when he said Harriet Harperson would be out of work in six months so he would campaign for her to read the news...
Our Rating: 9/12 - a man with stature who speaks with great authority.

Harriet Harperson continued the Government line that the release of the Lockerbie bomber was a Scottish decision and nothing to do with Gormless making deals. Dismissed as "a whole load of rubbish" stories about Gormless being granted a meeting with Obama in a kitchen at the UN. Was booed and made to look pathetic by Michael Heseltine when evasive on questions concerning the release of the Lockerbie bomber. Said Baroness Scotland had not broken the criminal law in her "mistake" for which she had paid "a civil penalty" and said that she thought the Attorney General should keep her job. Said she found the LibDem party conference unintelligible and those watching were less clear at the end of the week about what the party stands for than they were at the start. Welcomed the closure of the would be immigrant camp in Calais - and used the issue to attack the BNP.
Our Rating: 5/12 - made to squirm a few times, though not as annoying tonight as we know she can be.

David Laws said the release of the Lockerbie bomber had tarnished Britain's global image. Spoke first on the Baroness Scotland furore and said she should have resigned. Said those who pass a law must adhere to a law. Attempted to defend the LibDem "mansion tax" proposal, by reminding Michael Heseltine about the Conservatives' poll tax of the 1980's. Said that France and Italy need to do more to take asylum seekers fleeing persecution.
Our Rating: 3/12 - who is this man? Who are the party he represents? Why are they bothering?

Fraser Nelson conjured up an amusing mental image of Gormless stalking Obama for attention while in the US for the G20. On the Baroness Scotland issue, he said ZaNuLiebour have become incredibly heavy handed with the normal everyday public but appear to let the rich and powerful get away with everything. Said that the public do not know what the LibDems stand for... and the LibDem leader Nick Clegg doesn't know either. Said that we have a problem with illegal immigration due to lax control and said the only way illegal immigrants are caught is when they are found cleaning the houses of Government ministers.
Our Rating: 6/12 - he writes very well indeed, but didn't get much of a dartboard to aim for the bullseye on.

Digby Jones said trade deals with Libya were no different with any other nation and in May 2008, nobody mentioned prisoners to him as part of any talks. Said the Baroness Scotland issue demonstrated another disconnect between the governed and the governing and that she should step down. Said the LibDem conference was an example of typical "mainstream" party political "cock-ups". Dismissed the LibDem "mansion tax" as "ill-thought through". Praised the LibDems for wanting to raise those earning below £10K out of income tax. Said the French "have previous" on "ushering" migrants towards Britain.
Our Rating: 8/12 - one Conservative and two senior members of other parties... but it was Digby Jones who stood up most credibly as the opposition to the inevitable incoming Conservative Government.

The official BBC Question Time website is HERE.