My appearance on Question Time

The recording is available on iPlayer: https://lnkd.in/gmHrn9aThere was certainly some lively debate when I appeared on Question Time (20/5/2021), but also some alignment on the key topics of the day.The QT50 audience are really committed, intense and awesome asking us:- Should we abandon trips abroad?- Did the government fail by not closing borders to India when they had the chance?- Is great British Rail just another headline-grabbing gimmick, or will it actually make travel cheaper and more efficient?- Can importing beef and lamb 12,000 miles away really be seen as sustainable, sensible, and a good deal for British farmers?- Should the UK and the international community be doing more to help Israel and Palestine find a meaningful, long-lasting resolution?I felt honoured and strangely nervous to join the BBC’s flagship political audience participation show & wanted to share my learnings as we all embrace many different new challenges.I Can Still Be Daunted!The huge live video wall of wonderful passionate people took me by surprise, more daunting for me than a live audience. Despite great preparation from the best in the business, I felt I could have answered the travel question better (see comments for my revised answer!)Male Advocacy MattersIt was v welcome and appreciated when Nadim Zahawi MP said my name in responding to a question twice thus encouraging and recognising me. Always so simple but v powerful.People Are Interested in Women’s ClothesI made a bet with Nick Thomas-Symonds MP that there would be Twitter comments about clothing choices.Work With The BestFiona Bruce was so professional. She spoke v warmly & authentically to all participants equally pre show, no airs or graces, just interested and interesting. In the show itself she was highly efficient & quite pointy getting me, despite my nerves to answer the exact questions!