Watch with Mumsnet: live-streaming of PMQs with Anushka Asthana, WEDNESDAY at 12 midday

[RowanMumsnet]

You might recall that last month we conducted a survey on the UK's political culture, following on from our work with Mori on women and politics last year.

The results from the survey showed that 76% of respondents called Prime Minister's Questions "unprofessional and outdated" and 80% thought it "ineffective". As one Mumsnetter put it: "Might as well get some preschoolers to call each other poo-heads and be done with it."

Following on from this and our webchat last week, we launched a petition asking the PM to look at ways PMQs could be strengthened. So far, over 55k people have signed.

On Wednesday we'll be streaming PMQs live at 12pm. Come along and watch with us: we'll be joined by Sky News' political correspondent Anushka Asthana for a live webchat before and after to discuss the session.

Anushka wrote the Mumsnet/ Mori report on women voters last year. Before working for Sky News she was a columnist and chief political correspondent for The Times, and before that was at the Observer, where she worked for eight years. Her final role as the newspaper's policy editor saw her working from Westminster writing about politics and people. While there she covered the 2010 General Election and the formation of the Coalition.

Anushka wants to find out a bit more about what you think. What do you like about PMQs? What, if anything, do you feel needs changing? If you don't like, it why not? What could be improved?

Please join us at midday on Wednesday - and as ever, if you can't be there then please use this thread to post up any questions or comments in advance.

Thanks
MNHQ

Yes, I didn't like to say it but I think Abbott's reception was personal. Not that that is acceptable in her place of work, surely?

Maybe one of the reasons it doesn't work it because of the way people can't come back and say 'excuse me, you didn't actually answer my question'. maybe that's one of the things that needs to change, make it a proper debate not something that can be brushed off with one answer (that isn't am answer) and then 'lalala next question'

MPs for Hackney/Islington talking about rents, calling for rent controls. PM did address question on this one, arguing that there is a problem but that he is anti- controls.

@ISaidLeaveYourSisterAlone

Maybe one of the reasons it doesn't work it because of the way people can't come back and say 'excuse me, you didn't actually answer my question'. maybe that's one of the things that needs to change, make it a proper debate not something that can be brushed off with one answer (that isn't am answer) and then 'lalala next question'

ISaidLeaveYourSisterAlone Good idea!

I notice Cameron completely failed to answer the question about Bahrain, instead choosing to taunt the Labour party about "Red Princes" while completely ignoring the Tory habit of doing exactly the same thing

Loud braying all round

Some quite personal Ed M bashing going on now... Imagine that happening in one of your work meetings.

That's exactly the point isaidleaveyoursisteralone you're right!

Found it on 2!

I'm quite enjoying it ... think everyone is making an effort to behave today with us watching them!
Some interesting and important topics covered through the questions raised.

Just thinking it should be for more than half an hour once a week ... what do they do the rest of the time?!

Seriously seems an important way to hold the PM and government accountable for their actions, performance, and policies.

It frustrates me as it must be quite rare to get called as a backbencher and then to be laughed at and answered with a pre-prepared soundbite that just acts a party political broadcast is insulting.

Bercow should force the issue.

@slug

I notice Cameron completely failed to answer the question about Bahrain, instead choosing to taunt the Labour party about "Red Princes" while completely ignoring the Tory habit of doing exactly the same thing

Loud braying all round

slug The female MP who raised it got barracked as soon as she stood up.

I didn't know Bercow was supposed to do that. he should step up then!

Actually I think Lib Dems get just as much yah-hooing as women... Speaking of Lib Dems a man we see a lot in PMQs but don't hear is Nick Clegg who has been working hard at trying to persuade Mumsnetters to back him in general election. Convinced?

So Anushka, why do you think female MPs seem to have a lot of extra background racket going on whenever they speak? Is it meant to be intimidatory sleazeball stuff, or supportive? I can only think the former, because surely if someone with a quieter voice than most men is trying to speak, if one was being supportive one would tend to pipe DOWN with one's yee-ha's

Not a fan of the lycra joke. Missed the joke about Ed B but it seemed to get under Ed M's skin.

What did people think? Was Ed Miliband right to talk about waiting times in the NHS? Do you feel you learnt much?

"maybe that's one of the things that needs to change, make it a proper debate not something that can be brushed off with one answer "

Not sure if I understand how it works correctly, but it seems that the only person who can come back and challenge the PM is Ed Miliband, which is why increasing the number of questions by backbenchers and decreasing Ed's questions does not seem like a good idea

claig The leader of the opposition gets six questions. If the LibDems weren't in government then Clegg would have three (I think - might be four). Otherwise it's individual questions from the back benchers.

I've got a soft spot for Clegg. Can see him being in government again after the next GE as well.

I thought good to focus on NHS, matters to most people, but to be honest, I can't even remember the specific questions, let alone the answers. Just noise and bluster.

Yes, more nurses. On less pay, as Skinner said. Always ignores that bit. His spin on admin staff as 'bureaucrats' stops the public realising that lack of admin staff mean less patients booked-in.

@dawnz

So Anushka, why do you think female MPs seem to have a lot of extra background racket going on whenever they speak? Is it meant to be intimidatory sleazeball stuff, or supportive? I can only think the former, because surely if someone with a quieter voice than most men is trying to speak, if one was being supportive one would tend to pipe DOWN with one's yee-ha's

dawnz I've just written a piece for Cosmo on this issue due out soon. What one female MP told me is that its pretty tough not to sound shrill when you raise your voice as a woman. And that leads to a big "ooooh" from the rest of MPs, because one thing that is v common in PMQs (but something you'd never see in another workplace) is that MPs mimic each other. I also think women are on average more likely to be more restrained in the way they speak / act, which doesn't always go down well in the Chamber.

God watching this is giving me the rage. A bunch of self-serving smug people with no intention of having a meaningful debate. How can anything change if they approach every issue like a playground fight?

'What did people think? Was Ed Miliband right to talk about waiting times in the NHS? Do you feel you learnt much?'

No. It has been a disaster for Miliband and Labour. Cameron has been made to look in control, abreast of all the figures and has had an open goal to attack Labour, crack better jokes and even look statesmanlike. He has got off lightly and come out on top. Wasted opportunity for Labour who must try and convince the public that they know what they are doing and can do a better job than Cameron.

Three women talking in a positive animated way on the opposition front bench - a good sight to see I thought and making parliament look more woman friendly! (camera not with them long enough for me to identify them all) Anyone else see this?

claig It's not about how many questions anyone gets, it's about making sure that they actually get answered