Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs)

Parliamentary scrutiny examples are evident in the weekly Prime Minister's Questions sessions. These take place every Wednesday at noon, providing a platform for direct questioning of the government.

Highlight: The Leader of the Opposition $currently Sir Keir Starmer$ has the opportunity to ask six questions to the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister doesn't know the questions in advance, which allows for spontaneous and potentially revealing exchanges. However, the PM is extensively briefed beforehand to anticipate likely topics.

Example: Sir Keir Starmer has been praised for his forensic questioning style, particularly on issues like the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic and PPE contract awards.

While PMQs offer a high-profile opportunity for scrutiny of executive a level politics, they have limitations:

1. The session only lasts 30 minutes, limiting the depth of scrutiny.
2. Questions from the Prime Minister's own party members can be seen as less challenging.
3. The theatrical nature of PMQs can prioritize political point-scoring over substantive debate.

Definition: Parliamentary scrutiny meaning refers to the process by which Parliament examines and challenges the work of the government.