Question Time returns on 24th September, 2009 with an edition that marks the 30th anniversary of this national institution.
In the years since it was first broadcast on 25th September 1979 with Robin Day in the chair, Question Time has become the most watched political programme on television and is more popular with young people than any other political programme. It is the forum where the public take on politicians and has provided some of the most electric moments in modern political life. Recently Question Time became a key conduit for the public’s anger over the expenses scandal. Politicians were taken aback by the Question Time audience reaction and huge TV audiences saw Margaret Beckett, Menzies Campbell and Eric Pickles barracked and jeered.
When Tony Blair appeared on a special edition during the 2005 election campaign it was a member of the audience who sparked a national debate by putting the Prime Minister on the spot over 48 hour waiting times to see her GP. David Cameron and David Davis fought it out in a Conservative leadership edition – as did Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone in the London Mayoral race. The programme has hosted heated debates on the major issues of the day including the Poll Tax, devolution, the EU and Iraq.
Originally broadcast from London, Question Time has now visited more than 120 different locations in the UK from Inverness to Truro, from Shetland Islands to the Isle of Wight. Each year, around 30,000 members of the public apply to join the audience and put their questions to the panel. Panellists have included regulars such as Tony Benn, William Hague and Shirley Williams along with others from diverse backgrounds including Martin Amis, Tracy Emin, Will Young, Jeremy Clarkson, Archbishop John Sentamu, Jo Brand, Piers Morgan, Ian Hislop, Michael Moore and Eddie Izzard to name but a few.
Question Time has hosted 10 international editions including Shanghai, Moscow, New York, Washington, Paris, Brussels, Johannesburg, Miami and Sydney.
The 30th anniversary edition is chaired by David Dimbleby at the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth where the panel will include Labour Deputy Leader Harriet Harman.
For more information please contact Louise Plank on 020 8995 3936.