Last week, I heard a commentator on National Public Radio suggest that because of the success of President Barack Obama’s televised appearance before an annual Republican congressional meeting that he ought to do it more often. The commentator suggested that the president should, as is done in the United Kingdom, appear for weekly questions with Congress.
Prime minister’s questions (PMQs) (officially questions to the prime minister) is a constitutional convention in the United Kingdom, where every Wednesday when the House of Commons is sitting the prime minister spends half an hour answering questions from members of Parliament (MPs).
The most high-profile contributors at prime minister’s questions are, of course, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, who speak opposite each other at the dispatch box. I am not sure how much really is accomplished in these 30-minute weekly sessions, but I have watched many times and it does make for interesting theater to be sure. If you are interested you may view past PMQs at the following Web site: http://www.number10.gov.uk/number-10-tv
What does the United Kingdom have to do with Southern Indiana? Wouldn’t it be interesting to have such a thing for local governments? For example, Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan or New Albany Mayor Doug England appearing once per week before the council and residents for 30 minutes or school superintendents before the taxpayers who pay their salaries, perks, benefits ... you get the picture. These would be referred to as MQTs, SQTS (mayor’s question time and superintendent question time).
Of course, this endeavor would have to be organized to avoid chaos. In the United Kingdom, questions are submitted — not censored or screened — and placed into a box and drawn out randomly. The speaker of the House of Commons then calls upon the person who submitted the question to ask it of the prime minister.
The MQT might have questions of the New Albany mayor about sewers. Perhaps in the Jeffersonville MQT, a taxpayer might ask what happens to the proposed canal when there is no water overflow? Can we have some water in it all the time and perhaps rent little boats on summer evening for couples to paddle up and down the length of it? A resident of Italian ancestry fondly thinking of Venice might ask if he might start a business with gondoliers serenading and name the canal the amore canal (the Love Canal) or not.
Hey, that got me thinking, Papa John’s could be a sponsor (John Schnatter, a hometown boy) and gondoliers would sing “When the moon hits your eye like a big Papa John’s pie that’s amore ...”
Sorry about that. Sometimes I suffer from short attention span.
The point is while it may be theater, it also demonstrates what type of grasp the local leadership has on the issues of the day and how well they can manage themselves under close scrutiny of people to whom they are accountable. Whether it is an issue of personnel, local government projects or zoning issues, the official must address what is asked as clearly as possible.
I just wonder if our local officials could handle the pressure of thinking on their feet and sticking to the issue and clarifying points effectively. Margaret Todd, professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania, thinks the House of Commons Question Time shows an intellectual liveliness that is lacking the American system, but wonders whether any U.S. president would have the courage to meet members of Congress face-to-face and answer their questions.
The other side of the coin is that local officials have the opportunity to “sell” an idea before those that would question it.
Some have said that such an arena in Britain keeps the prime minister on his toes with the issues. Others say that such a system in the United States wouldn’t work as Americans do not place a very high value on true debate.
It has been said of prime minister’ Question Time that performance on the dispatch box, or podium, requires a quick wit, eloquence, humor and a broad grasp of varied policy issues. Prime ministers often rely on a large, multi-annotated handbook of facts and policy matters in order to produce the facts and figures required to give a solid response to an unexpected or jarring question.
I am all for a Question Time for our mayors and school superintendents — keeping them on their toes with issues and the voices of those they serve. For the constituents, we will benefit by seeing if our leadership are still the sharpest knives in the drawer and can cut the cheese, or if they simply cut the cheese.
— Tim McDonald can be reached at timothy.mcdonald@agsfaculty.indwes.edu
Columns
Related Photos
Discussion
MCDONALD: It’s time for question time
- Columns
-
-
CLERE: Walkout is absurd
The walkout by Indiana House Democrats entered its third week yesterday as tensions continued to rise and misinformation proliferated.
-
LADD: New Albany has new energy
New Albany is evolving. Public art has become more prevalent in the downtown, drawing more locals and outside visitors to our community; bringing more publicity.
-
STAWAR: The souvenir state of America
Recently, my wife Diane and I spent the day aboard the Belle of Cincinnati with our daughter’s family. We all had a good time, even though the diesel-powered Cincinnati attraction isn’t a real steamboat, like our own Belle of Louisville, and despite the fact that it poured down rain the whole time.
-
NASH: Making a Memorial vacation
Memorial Day weekend is upon us which brings us to the start of the summer travel season. With the mild winter we had around here most schools didn’t have much in terms of snow make-up days so many kids have already finished up their semesters and are ready to get on with their holiday. Not to worry parents it will only be a couple of weeks before the back-to-school sales kick in and in no time at all it will be time for those youngsters to go back.
-
HARBESON: A handy little idea
After having worked hard the past few months, I now have something new to add to my resume — “I was Lead Project Manager for a major construction venture, supervising every aspect in the creation of a privately funded community building.”
-
MORRIS: Nancy Hogan was more than just an employee
Pulling into The Tribune parking lot each morning was pretty uneventful in the old days. Nothing good happens between 5:30 and 6 a.m. Nothing at all.
-
HAMILTON: Is this really the best we can do?
As you know if you pay attention to national affairs, the United States faces a perfect fiscal storm at the end of this year. A confluence of deadlines and policy triggers unlike anything I can remember in a half-century of public life will produce massive budget cuts and serious tax increases amounting to a 3.5 percent hit on the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
-
BEAM: Lost memories found
As time elapses, so do our memories. I forget things now. I can’t remember his height. How did he curl his lips into that sardonic, wholehearted smile? I only recall flashes of a moment. Wearing his jacket at prom. His golf clubs in the back of his old, golden car. Notes passed in the hallway. Listening to Boys to Men in his basement.
-
STANCZYKIEWICZ: A gift for mom and dad
Two strategies for parents are important. First, parents need to model for children how to disagree. “When you’re talking with your spouse and you’re whining and complaining and nagging, you shouldn’t be too surprised when your young person does the same thing,” Allen said. “We need to be good role models.”
-
HOWEY: Brooks, Walorski take aim at GOP glass ceiling
Susan Brooks’ 5th District campaign conducted internal polling in mid-April and the news was disheartening. She trailed the frontrunner — former congressman David McIntosh — by 20 points. Twenty points?
- More Columns Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
