Review: BBC Question Time, 5th November 2009

Nick Herbert (Conservative), whilst accusing Labour and the Lib Dems of betrayal over the Lisbon Treaty, kept on saying that the treaty has 'gone' - a point that sounded very weak, despite the passion with which he tried making his point. Promoted the view that "premature" withdrawal from Afghanistan would be a mistake. Claimed a majority of Afghan people want our troops to stay. Said the level of immigration risks social cohesion, even if you support multi-culturalism as - he said - he does. Spoke of the pressure of immigration on public services.
Our Rating: Alas, a bit of a non-entity in our view. Not offensive, not inspiring - just a bit of background noise as far as we were concerned. 4/12

Peter Hain (ZaNuLiebour) said that Cameron's new promises on Europe were things that he knew he could not deliver and that he was misleading people. Made claims about the threat to Britain from terrorism originating from Afghanistan - "orchestrated from", he claimed. Kilroy-Silk called him out on this and asked him to name one instance. The question went unanswered. Admitted that the political class had discredited themselves over the expenses scandal. When asked about immigration, he started to attack the Tories - until Dumblebee pulled him up and made him speak about his own party's position and decisions. Categorically stated that if Britain's population were to reach 70million, it would be too much. Was ridiculed by Dumblebee for - as was pointed out - having a boycott against the programme that lasted all of two weeks.
Our Rating: Not the worst of the ZaNuLiebour party by any measure, but when the Government of the day has nothing more to say than to attack their opponents, then they surely must be put to pasture. 3/12

Robert Kilroy-Silk (broadcaster and former MP) said Cameron's new position on Europe is "a deceit". Called for an "in or out" referendum on our relationship with Europe. Said he is not sure why we are in Afghanistan. Was strongly critical of the Afghan regime and said he did not want our troops dying for such a set-up. Criticised the Government for not having met the returning bodies of our brave, fallen British troops. Critical of MPs over the expenses scandal, he said that MPs have to be paid enough to prevent them becoming corrupt. Pointed out that when other people had spoken about immigration on the same terms as Home Secretary Alan Johnson, they had been accused of racism.
Our Rating: Game, set and match frankly. Agreed with much of what he had to say and liked the no holds barred approach he took to saying it. While he may not have appeared to excessively thrilled the studio audience, one suspects that there were a lot of British people sat at home who felt he was speaking for them. 11/12

Natalie Haynes (comedian) - no, we've never heard of her either. Said there are better things to spend money on than a referendum.
Our Rating: How can anybody be less politically insightful than Will Young? If you want to know, watch a repeat of this episode on BBC I-Player. 0/12

Sir Ian Blair (ex-Met Commissioner) wants to "spend the rest of [his] life" in Europe and is a pro-European. Said we were wrong to go into Afghanistan in the first place, but it would be wrong to withdraw now. Claimed the training of 'terrorists' was centred on the Afghan-Pakistan border. Made a few quips that played on anti-American stereotypes before saying that he could not believe some of our politicians had not been subject to criminal investigation. Claimed the multi-cultural changes to Britain should be celebrated - and the Polish had produced great plumbers. A young member of the studio audience criticised him for attempting to shut down any views opposed to his own by labelling them as having a "sub-text".
Our Rating: Why do we have to celebrate multiculturalism at the instruction of someone who thinks it okay to typify Americans as thick as two short planks? Aren't such jokes racist? Or to characterise the people of Poland as being plumbers? This blogger does not understand why it is okay to make 'jokes' characterising the people of America and Poland as one thing or another when the person making such 'quips' claims there is a "sub-text" to discussion about uncontrolled immigration. Wonder how he would characterise all people from, say, Brazil? 0/12

* A member of the studio audience pointed out the Americans through the CIA had financed Al-Qaeda. As he made his point, there was a cut away to the panel where Peter Hain was seen nodding along as the point was made.