House of Commons Terrace Reception
7/05/2009
The Journalists' Charity's second House of Commons reception on Thursday ,June 18 was another sell out with150 guests packing a marquee on the Terrace, overlooking the Thames.
This year's panellists were Robert Peston, the BBC's award winning business editor; former Downing Street director of communications Alastair Campbell and Alan Duncan MP, Shadow Leader of the House. They took part in a "Cash for Questions" session hosted by Sky TV's Anna Botting, the most recent recruit to the Charity's Council. Guests paid £10 each for their questions to be put to the panel. They provided some lively and (mostly) good humoured responses!
Here's a brief selection of sound bites from the Terrace:
Question from Hilary Gemin for Robert Peston: Having experience of both, who are the worst: MPs or bankers?
"An MP normally suggests lunch and also suggests the restaurant he would like to go to. If he is there before you, he has already chosen the - most expensive - wine. Even if it was his suggestion, only one MP in 100 would offer to pay for it ...and only one in 100 would send you a thankyou note. Most bankers would invite you to lunch, pay for it and then thank you afterwards for your time. I would say MPs!"
"Most MPs are pretty decent people...and I would include some Tories and some Lib Dems..." Alastair Campbell.
Question from Anthony Fergusson: When Will Politicians finally truly understand why we - the electorate - are so hacked off with them?
"The outburst of hate is nothing I have seen before...." Alan Duncan.
"24-hour Media tries to drive anger and hatred...." Alastair Campbell
"A taxi driver told me that the only things you can believe on the front page of a national newspaper are the date and the price...." Alan Duncan.
"And if it's the Daily Mail, you can't even believe that..." Alastair Campbell
Question from Nusin Ergun for Robert Peston: When will the current recession end and how do you see the UK economy for the next 10 years?
"It is possible, only possible, that the recession has ended. But we won't know for some time. It may not be a full recovery and we may still go though difficult times."
Question from Cherry Chapell, freelance: What would Alastair Campbell advise Gordon Brown to do about the timing of the next general election?
"I would do it in private." - Campbell
Question from the floor: Earlier or later?
"I would do it in private." - Campbell
Alastair then paid £10 for NOT answering the question, as asked.
Question from Beverley Jackson: MPs in Australia are paid a set rate for each day of attendance in Parliament and no other expenses apart from essential travel. Would this work in Westminster?
"One thing is clear, we have to stop determining our own pay and conditions." Alan Duncan
Remark from the audience (paraphrased): My GP is paid more than my MP and I think that is ridiculous.
"If I give you £10, may I give you a kiss?" Alan Duncan
Question from Eva Gizowska and Mandy Francis: "Can I have a picture taken with Alastair Campbell as my friend really fancies you."
"Yes." Alastair Campbell
Question from Chris Boffey (Chairman Journalists Charity and news editor of The Observer) to Alastair Campbell: Did your mental breakdown in the late 1980s affect your sense of humour?
"If you saw my documentary you will know that Chris Boffey was partly responsible for it! 'What do you mean you don't want another one - you've only had 17 pints'. "
Question from Sharon Collins: In a Hollywood film of your life, who would play you - and why?
"Ronnie Corbett with a bloody good facelift" Alan Duncan
Question from Ray Massey, Daily Mail (and member of Journalists' Charity Council): If you could have anything [like today's published expenses] from your past blacked out, what would you choose?
"I don't talk to the Daily Mail....I will answer that question as long as anyone who has worked for Paul Dacre [editor] doesn't benefit from the money raised!" Alastair Campbell.
"I love Paul Dacre...there's an election coming up!" Alan Duncan
"My university education, probably..." Alastair Campbell
"...I didn't know you went to university...." Alan Duncan
"...Nor did most of the lecturers." Alastair Campbell.
"I don't know, I lead a boring life... I work, I go home...If anyone can find anything interesting about me will they please let me know." Robert Peston.
The Cash for Questions session raised £420 for the Charity. The total raised by the reception has yet to be calculated.