0:00:04 > 0:00:07Everyone craves greatness.
0:00:07 > 0:00:08Everybody likes a winner.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13But success isn't a one-man show.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Order. Order!
0:00:15 > 0:00:19Behind every star is a team - immensely talented,
0:00:19 > 0:00:24powerful in their own worlds, but invisible to us...until now.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30These are the stories of the stars
0:00:30 > 0:00:33and the teams who strive to make them shine.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36This is the world of the VIP People.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45This is the House of Commons,
0:00:45 > 0:00:47where the people who run this country -
0:00:47 > 0:00:49our Members of Parliament, or MPs -
0:00:49 > 0:00:53discuss the issues which affect our future.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56People like the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58It's their whole economic plan.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00CHEERING
0:01:00 > 0:01:04It's under this government we got 800,000 more private sector jobs.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07What people forget is this is the alternative to war.
0:01:07 > 0:01:12It sounds grand - what is politics? It is about resolving the disputes.
0:01:12 > 0:01:13- Order.- Point of order, Mr Speaker.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Points of order come after statements
0:01:15 > 0:01:19and there is a statement now but I'm grateful to the honourable gentleman.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Meet John Bercow. He's the Speaker of the House
0:01:22 > 0:01:25and it's his job to make sure that in the debates that take place
0:01:25 > 0:01:27in the House of Commons,
0:01:27 > 0:01:29everyone gets a fair chance to have their say.
0:01:29 > 0:01:34The Speaker also has the tough task of keeping things under control
0:01:34 > 0:01:36when the MPs get too rowdy.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Order! Order! Order!
0:01:40 > 0:01:43I think if it was a school, it would have to be St Trinian's!
0:01:43 > 0:01:47He's so important that he can even tell the Prime Minister off.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49The Prime Minister will please withdraw the word "idiot",
0:01:49 > 0:01:51it's unparliamentary.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53In six days' time,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56the Speaker will need to be on top form to keep order
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- at the noisiest... - SHOUTING
0:01:58 > 0:02:00# Shut up Just shut up, shut up. #
0:02:00 > 0:02:01..most important...
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Can I ask the Prime Minister what kind of consultation is it...
0:02:04 > 0:02:08..and most controversial event of the parliamentary week -
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Prime Minister's Questions,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13where ordinary MPs get a one and only chance
0:02:13 > 0:02:15to directly grill the Prime Minister.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25To successfully preside over Prime Minister's Questions
0:02:25 > 0:02:27in seven days' time,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30John'll need his network of VIP People to run like clockwork.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33From his Diary Secretary to the Trainbearer,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36and from the Doorkeeper to his other staff.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41Only with their support and help can he ensure that PMQs is a success.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48Cameras have never been allowed behind the scenes before
0:02:48 > 0:02:50in the corridors of power at the House of Commons.
0:02:50 > 0:02:55For the first time we'll see what life in Parliament is really like
0:02:55 > 0:02:58for the Speaker and those around him.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03So from here, the Leader of the Opposition will speak.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07He blames everybody other than himself.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11And from this despatch box, this is what they're called.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14- From this despatch box, the Prime Minister...- Yes.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16..will speak.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- How utterly pathetic. - Hear, hear!
0:03:20 > 0:03:22And a Speaker...
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Order!
0:03:24 > 0:03:26I sit in this.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27Calm down.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32LOUD VOICES
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Order! Order! Order!
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Each leader has got a strong team there, cheering him on.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40He's losing the confidence of the country.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Hear, hear!
0:03:42 > 0:03:46As I say, very often, perhaps jeering the other side.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49It is, if you like, a kind of spectator sport.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51There is only one person who is red around here
0:03:51 > 0:03:53and that is Red Ed running...
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Hear, hear!
0:03:55 > 0:03:58ALL SHOUT
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Let's talk to our Political Editor, Nick Robinson, from Westminster.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Nick Robinson is the BBC's Political Editor
0:04:07 > 0:04:10and reports regularly from the House of Commons on BBC News,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13but, unlike us, his camera has to stay in one place.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15The guys on both sides of the House of Commons,
0:04:15 > 0:04:19they really believe they can make life better for the country
0:04:19 > 0:04:21and they're really angry
0:04:21 > 0:04:24because they think the other side are messing it up.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Or, would mess it up.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28So, of course, sometimes you look at the behaviour
0:04:28 > 0:04:33and think, "Odd way to behave, aren't they behaving like kids?"
0:04:33 > 0:04:34Naughty kids in a classroom.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39The key to it is, they are fighting for things they believe in.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Order! Quite a bad example is being set by some senior members
0:04:42 > 0:04:46to newcomers. There are far too many... Order!
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I first met the Speaker, John Bercow, when he was a student.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53I remember him, he was an amazingly powerful speaker then
0:04:53 > 0:04:55and one of the reasons, I think, he got the job
0:04:55 > 0:04:59is because he's a really good orator.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01He's someone people listen to.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Being the Speaker of the House of Commons
0:05:04 > 0:05:06was once a very dangerous job.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11If the Speaker displeased the King,
0:05:11 > 0:05:16the Speaker could end up, not just losing his job as Speaker,
0:05:16 > 0:05:17but losing his head.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23For this reason, a very strange ritual takes place
0:05:23 > 0:05:25when the Speaker is elected.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Because it was considered rather a dangerous role,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30there was usually a protest.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34And members therefore had to drag him to the chair.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38A ritual that still continues today.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40It's because the Speaker's job was so dangerous
0:05:40 > 0:05:43that he was given his own personal bodyguard.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47And that tradition lives on with the first of our VIP People,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Jim, the Trainbearer.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53It's the second time I've actually taken it out.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56On top of other duties, Jim's ceremonial challenge
0:05:56 > 0:06:00is to ensure the Speaker's safe passage to the Commons every day
0:06:00 > 0:06:03in a procession which also involves Sarah, the Doorkeeper,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05and other members of the Speaker's team.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11I've been doing this job six months, but I've been working in Parliament
0:06:11 > 0:06:14for six years altogether.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17The Trainbearer used to be the Speaker's bodyguard.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21I'm the first non ex-military Trainbearer.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24I've got a ceremonial sword, which I only wear five minutes a day now.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27You can see it's real.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30It's a very interesting job.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Wearing the outfit took some getting used to.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38I was a little self-conscious the first couple of times I wore it.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42I have tights and knee-breeches and the shoes with the buckles on.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44When we have tours coming round,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47it's the Trainbearer's job to bring the tour parties round.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52People like to be shown around the State rooms by a man in tights.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58So the Speaker has his own personal bodyguard,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01but what about protecting Parliament itself?
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Security at the House of Commons was breached for the first time ever
0:07:06 > 0:07:09a few years ago by pro-hunt protesters.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13Keeping out unwanted guests is the job of one of the VIP People,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Doorkeeper, Sarah.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Yeah, security is very tight here, for obvious reasons.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21In the Houses of Parliament you need to be very aware of security.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23So, bear with me a second. Hello, there...
0:07:27 > 0:07:29As a Doorkeeper at the House of Commons,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Sarah's in charge of security and has to make sure
0:07:32 > 0:07:35MPs, including the Speaker and members of staff
0:07:35 > 0:07:38like Jim the Trainbearer, can go about their work
0:07:38 > 0:07:41without the threat of attack from intruders.
0:07:46 > 0:07:47All right there, guys?
0:07:47 > 0:07:50OK, hold onto that. Straight down that corridor...
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Today, Sarah has to make sure only accredited guests
0:07:52 > 0:07:56are allowed in to the House of Commons visitors' gallery.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58It's like being a bouncer,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02you get to wear a better suit than a bouncer, I guess.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Yeah, it's a security role, predominantly.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05Hello, sir.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09The toughest thing I've had to deal with,
0:08:09 > 0:08:11is probably the Rupert Murdoch incident,
0:08:11 > 0:08:13that happened in the Select Committee.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17We had an incident where a person who was in the gallery
0:08:17 > 0:08:22came up and threw a pie in Rupert Murdoch's face
0:08:22 > 0:08:25and we were the people that ran in
0:08:25 > 0:08:27and helped escort the gentleman out
0:08:27 > 0:08:30and we dealt with him outside.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35Straight down the corridor and up the staircase.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38I've got to make sure the wrong people don't get in
0:08:38 > 0:08:39and the right people do.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Remembering 650 MPs' faces is quite a challenge
0:08:41 > 0:08:47but we have to differentiate between MPs, staff, the public.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49We have to be completely on the ball.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Sarah's security skills are in big demand every Wednesday
0:08:52 > 0:08:55at Prime Minister's Questions, when she has to protect
0:08:55 > 0:08:58some of the most powerful people in the country
0:08:58 > 0:09:02and ensure that unwanted guests are kept out.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05You might get a few frustrated people that they can't get in,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07but it's just part and parcel
0:09:07 > 0:09:09of the job and you deal with that as best you can.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Are you all right? Do you know where you're going with those tickets?
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Ensuring that PMQs and everything else runs like clockwork
0:09:21 > 0:09:26is the job of the clock maintenance team, run by Paul.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Paul and the clock team are Westminster's metronome,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36keeping everyone from the Speaker and the Doorkeeper,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39to the Diary Secretary and the Trainbearer,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42in fact, both the Houses of Parliament, on track and on time.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55In total we look after 2,000 clocks.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59500 of those are mechanical ones.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02We have to wind up 500 through the course of the week.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07We start at seven o'clock in the morning
0:10:07 > 0:10:12and we try and get the clocks wound before people are in their offices,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15or in the committee rooms.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17We get them done by half eight.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21We also repair the clocks and maintain them.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24You have to be fairly mechanically minded.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Two down, 498 to go.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Those are the smaller clocks taken care of,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35but what about the biggest clock in Parliament?
0:10:38 > 0:10:41This is the Elizabeth Tower, Westminster, in which sits
0:10:41 > 0:10:44the world famous bell, Big Ben.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46We're going to be winding up the clock to make sure it goes
0:10:46 > 0:10:50and check the time to make sure we're as accurate as we can be.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55334 steps up to the belfry.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02It usually takes us about ten to 15 minutes to walk up the stairs.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09We're now behind the dials.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12This is the south dial that looks over Parliament.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15They are about 23 feet across.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20Just to give you some idea, the minute hand is 14 feet long,
0:11:20 > 0:11:22the hour hand is nine feet long.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Every time the clock ticks, every two seconds,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29the minute hand moves on two seconds' worth.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36In about 35 seconds' time,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39what you'll see is the hammer on the third quarter bell,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42which is right across the far side,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45will lift up and play the first note of 16 notes,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48which make the Westminster chimes.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57BIG BEN CHIMES
0:12:29 > 0:12:32So Big Ben is in safe hands,
0:12:32 > 0:12:34but who looks after the Speaker's busy diary?
0:12:34 > 0:12:39It's the next of the VIP People, the Speaker's Diary Secretary, Briony.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Briony has the tough task of ensuring that the Speaker
0:12:45 > 0:12:48can get through his hundreds of meetings and appointments
0:12:48 > 0:12:52with all his support team and still handle Prime Minister's Questions.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57I've been working at the Houses of Parliament for five years now.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00Good afternoon, Speaker's Office.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03I started off in the Visitor Services Team,
0:13:03 > 0:13:04and I saw the job advertised
0:13:04 > 0:13:07in the Speaker's Office, which I thought sounded interesting.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09So, I went for it and here I am.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16The Speaker's diary is very busy.
0:13:16 > 0:13:22The man often works from 8:30am until after 11 at night.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24It happens on a fairly regular basis.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26He has meetings back-to-back most days.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29You get the occasional break for lunch, but that's about it.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Shall we start with the diary?
0:13:32 > 0:13:34A few things for you, Mr Speaker.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36History graduate Briony has her work cut out
0:13:36 > 0:13:39as the Speaker has so many important appointments,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42from meeting world leaders and royals,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45to attending charity events in aid of issues like child autism.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48We'll probably need to think about events taking place next year
0:13:48 > 0:13:51because we're pretty much booked up now until the end of 2012.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54The buck stops with Briony if John isn't
0:13:54 > 0:13:56in the right place at the right time.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00I'm not really sure the Speaker understands how to take a break,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03unless it involves watching some tennis, maybe.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08He seems to have limitless reserves of energy
0:14:08 > 0:14:11and is happy to keep going. If he has gaps in the diary,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14he'll look for things to fill them with.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19There are just three days left until the big event
0:14:19 > 0:14:20of the parliamentary week,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Prime Minister's Questions
0:14:22 > 0:14:24and every one of the Speaker's VIP People
0:14:24 > 0:14:27will have to work hard to ensure it all goes off smoothly.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Still to come - Jim the Trainbearer get nerves
0:14:29 > 0:14:32before giving a tour of Parliament.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33It's only the second tour I've done.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36And things get rowdy in the House of Commons.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Let the answer be heard.
0:14:45 > 0:14:46The Speaker's House,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49where John gets to live and work while he's the Speaker,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52is a beautiful, ornate and historic building
0:14:52 > 0:14:56in the Palace Of Westminster, and today, Jim the Trainbearer
0:14:56 > 0:14:57is giving a tour.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02The only problem is that he's only given one tour before,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04so there's some last minute swotting-up to do.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08I'm just about to go downstairs and let in a party of 40 teachers
0:15:08 > 0:15:11that I'm going to be taking on a tour of Speaker's House.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16It's about the role of the Speaker and the history of Speaker's House.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19I generally have a quick flick through it beforehand
0:15:19 > 0:15:22and try and memorise dates, when it was built and so on.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31This is the State Bedroom, with the State Bed behind us there.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35The purpose of the State Bedroom was the heir to the throne
0:15:35 > 0:15:39would sleep in the State Bed, the night before their coronation,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42to be as close to Westminster Abbey as possible,
0:15:42 > 0:15:46so they didn't get seized to prevent them being crowned.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51What are the main duties of your job?
0:15:51 > 0:15:54The main duties of my job?
0:15:54 > 0:15:57There's the ceremonial element, I'm the Speaker's Trainbearer.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02In the procession every day, I go into the Chamber with the Speaker.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05It seemed to go OK, I think.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08I think I managed to answer all the questions all right
0:16:08 > 0:16:12and remember most of the things I try to remember to tell people.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16I could have made something up, no-one would be any the wiser.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19Mr Speaker...
0:16:19 > 0:16:23I don't think the Prime Minster gets it about the...
0:16:24 > 0:16:28The highlight of the week is Prime Minister's Questions, or PMQs.
0:16:28 > 0:16:34First of all, Mr Speaker, I'm not going to get a lecture in getting it
0:16:34 > 0:16:37from a party that was in office for 13 years
0:16:37 > 0:16:40when all of these things took place.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43MUSIC: "Mission Impossible" Theme
0:16:43 > 0:16:46The build-up to PMQs begins a few days before the big event
0:16:46 > 0:16:48at the Table Office.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53MPs rush in to enter their names in a draw
0:16:53 > 0:16:57which offers the lucky winners a chance to directly ask
0:16:57 > 0:17:01the leader of the country a question in the House of Commons.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Hundreds of MPs enter their names in the ballot
0:17:05 > 0:17:10just to have a chance of being one of the lucky few who win each week.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12You've got to be in it to win it!
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Next, the names are put into a computer and a lucky few
0:17:15 > 0:17:18are randomly selected, National Lottery style.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19And here we go...
0:17:19 > 0:17:23That's the top 15 who've come out
0:17:23 > 0:17:26and the names below are the other members who entered the shuffle,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28but weren't successful this time round.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Fiona O'Donnell is the Labour MP
0:17:34 > 0:17:38who's lucky enough to have come first in the ballot.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41It's a bit like entering a raffle.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43I'm not very lucky usually in raffles.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46It's the same with Prime Minster's Questions.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49You have to wait and see whether or not your name is drawn.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51It's great to be top of the list this time.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Further down the list is the Liberal Democrat MP, Duncan Hames.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59I'm really pleased.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01I put in for this draw every week.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04There's only a couple of times in two years
0:18:04 > 0:18:06where my name has come out of the hat.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09So I'm really looking forward to it.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16It's the morning of Prime Minister's Questions and Parliament's buzzing
0:18:16 > 0:18:18ahead of today's big showdown
0:18:18 > 0:18:20between the Government and the Opposition.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26It's always a big day when Prime Minister's Questions takes place.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31That is scheduled for today, at midday.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34There is a tingle of expectation
0:18:34 > 0:18:37and excitement amongst colleagues in Parliament.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40The VIP People are busy preparing
0:18:40 > 0:18:42for their roles in the Speaker's Procession,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46an historic march taking the Speaker from his quarters
0:18:46 > 0:18:47to the House of Commons,
0:18:47 > 0:18:51where he'll preside over Prime Minister's Questions.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55The hardest thing is the ceremonial bit.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57It's so unlike anything I've ever done before.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00I had to have marching practice when I first started
0:19:00 > 0:19:02because in the Speaker's Procession we have to march in step,
0:19:02 > 0:19:07which is not something I've ever done in any of my previous jobs.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10When the procession sets off in the morning,
0:19:10 > 0:19:12I shout, "Time to go, Mr Speaker,"
0:19:12 > 0:19:15and then the lead Doorkeeper will lead out of the door
0:19:15 > 0:19:17and we all march in step.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Marching as you would in the Army, I suppose.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Arm swinging like this.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29While Jim the Trainbearer has to protect the Speaker,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Sarah the Doorkeeper's task is to warn passers-by
0:19:31 > 0:19:33to stay out of the Speaker's way
0:19:33 > 0:19:38because nobody's allowed to stray into his path during the procession.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43There's a lot of doors that go off onto this lobby.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46You don't want to be coming out of here, which I have done previously,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49as a Doorkeeper, walking out into the Speaker's Procession.
0:19:49 > 0:19:50You don't really want to do that.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52You're just checking passes,
0:19:52 > 0:19:56making sure people with paper passes are escorted.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58The Speaker's Office is just down there.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02We're at a crossroadss here.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07He approaches and you'd go, "Speaker!"
0:20:07 > 0:20:08Just like that.
0:20:08 > 0:20:09What was that, Sarah?
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Speaker!
0:20:12 > 0:20:15I thought that's what you said!
0:20:15 > 0:20:19With just 45 minutes to go until Prime Minister's Questions,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22the crowd outside the House of Commons grows,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25as the public gather to catch a glimpse of the Speaker's Procession.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29As MPs aren't allowed to read their questions from papers,
0:20:29 > 0:20:33Liberal MP Duncan is frantically trying to memorise his question,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36which is about the welfare of school children around the world.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38I'm quite excited, actually.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41I've learned my question now, so I feel a lot more confident.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45I've been practising it and this is the question that I've written
0:20:45 > 0:20:49and whilst I won't be holding this when I ask the question,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52I'll be spending quite a lot of time with it for the next hour
0:20:52 > 0:20:55as I try and commit as much of it to memory as possible.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02Labour MP Fiona, meanwhile,
0:21:02 > 0:21:06has decided to ask a question about rising food prices,
0:21:06 > 0:21:10which are affecting people in her constituency.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12Do you know what it is?
0:21:12 > 0:21:16It's thinking about your constituents and people back home.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20It is such a great opportunity, not wanting to mess up for them
0:21:20 > 0:21:23and to make sure I raise something that they'll think,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25I didn't waste the opportunity.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Jim heads up to the Speaker's study to get him ready for the procession.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Do I feel a slight nervous sensation?
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Yes, I do, because obviously it's a big and important occasion.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42It's the clash of the titans between the two major party leaders.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45The opportunity for any Member of Parliament to rise and try to
0:21:45 > 0:21:48ask the Prime Minister a question on behalf of his or her constituents.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53At exactly 26 and a half minutes past 11,
0:21:53 > 0:21:55the procession makes its way to Parliament
0:21:55 > 0:21:58for Prime Minister's Questions.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Time to go, Mr Speaker.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Once they've set off,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Sarah the Doorkeeper prepares to warn passers-by
0:22:05 > 0:22:06of the Speaker's approach.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Speaker!
0:22:11 > 0:22:13What a lovely voice. Good job, Sarah.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23Speaker!
0:22:29 > 0:22:30Hats off, strangers!
0:22:32 > 0:22:36A policeman shouts, "Hats off, strangers!"
0:22:36 > 0:22:39as the Speaker comes through the lobby in a time-honoured tradition
0:22:39 > 0:22:42requesting that anyone wearing headgear takes it off
0:22:42 > 0:22:44in respect of the Speaker.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46It's so far, so good for Jim as well,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49as he's managed to stay in step with the rest of the procession.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51Go on, Jim!
0:23:08 > 0:23:12BIG BEN CHIMES
0:23:12 > 0:23:15As Big Ben strikes 12,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Prime Minister's Questions finally begins
0:23:18 > 0:23:21and MP Fiona O'Donnell kicks off proceedings.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Order, questions to the Prime Minister. Fiona O'Donnell.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Question number one, Mr Speaker.
0:23:27 > 0:23:34Mr Speaker, food prices rose 4.6 % between March last year
0:23:34 > 0:23:35and this year.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40I understand why, so can the Prime Minister spare me the lecture
0:23:40 > 0:23:44and tell the House, what is he doing about food inflation?
0:23:45 > 0:23:48It's job done for Fiona, over to the PM.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50On the issue of food inflation,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53first of all, I would make a point that inflation is now falling
0:23:53 > 0:23:57in our country, which is extremely good news.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Order! Government backbenchers who've been here some years
0:24:02 > 0:24:05ought to have grasped by now that it's not the responsibility
0:24:05 > 0:24:07of the Leader of the Opposition to answer,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10so they should pipe down and try to be good boys, if they can.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Ed Miliband.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15It's a typically raucous afternoon in the House of Commons
0:24:15 > 0:24:17and the Speaker is having to work hard as usual,
0:24:17 > 0:24:19as the Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband,
0:24:19 > 0:24:22gets stuck into the Prime Minister.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24He simply can't act in the national interest.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Everybody can see what is happening here.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Why is it right to have this judge-led approach
0:24:31 > 0:24:35to the scandal in the press, but wrong for the scandal in the banks?
0:24:35 > 0:24:39Now what's required is swift enquiries, swift action,
0:24:39 > 0:24:41swift legislation.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44The Speaker has to step in again as rowdy MPs
0:24:44 > 0:24:47are wasting valuable Parliamentary time.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Order! Members must calm down.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51I said it to Government backbenchers,
0:24:51 > 0:24:53I'm now saying it to Opposition backbenchers.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57- Let the answer...- The clock's ticking down and MP Duncan
0:24:57 > 0:24:59is facing the prospect of time running out
0:24:59 > 0:25:01before he gets to ask his question.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05Can the Prime Minister confirm this Government's commitment to science?
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Can the Prime Minister give an assurance
0:25:07 > 0:25:09to the 100,000 Ulster Bank customers?
0:25:09 > 0:25:13There are 117 manufacturing jobs lost in my constituency.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18With two minutes to go though, he finally gets his chance. This is it.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Can he ask his question from memory without reading it?
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Mr Duncan Hames.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Mr Speaker, as the Chair of the UN's high-level panel
0:25:26 > 0:25:29on the millennium development goals,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31how will the Prime Minister restart efforts
0:25:31 > 0:25:34to ensure that all girls and boys around the world
0:25:34 > 0:25:37get to go to school?
0:25:37 > 0:25:40No notes and he got his question in, just under the wire.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44We want all of civil society, schools, parents and teachers,
0:25:44 > 0:25:46to join in with this magnificent effort.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48With Prime Minister's Questions over,
0:25:48 > 0:25:50our two MPs have mixed feelings
0:25:50 > 0:25:53about the response they got from the Prime Minister.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57I was hoping that he would actually give some detail
0:25:57 > 0:25:58of what he's going to do.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02It was very difficult a question to try closing down,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05to actually answering the question that you're asking.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09I tried to do that but he still managed to get out of it.
0:26:09 > 0:26:10Thanks, bye.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15MP Duncan, meanwhile, is relieved to have got his question in
0:26:15 > 0:26:17just in the nick of time.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20That was always a risk. My colleagues were reassuring me.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23They were following how we were going down the order paper
0:26:23 > 0:26:25and seemed confident I was going to get in.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28We were quite near the end, so, it would've been
0:26:28 > 0:26:30very disappointing if after all that, we'd missed out.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36It's been a raucous Prime Minister's Questions,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39but the Speaker has successfully managed to preside over it
0:26:39 > 0:26:42and keep order.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44Order! Members must calm down.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47It was very lively and as you put it,
0:26:47 > 0:26:51intense Prime Minister's Questions, which I think was to be expected.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Let the answer be heard. The Prime Minister.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Had to work moderately hard to keep order.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59I wouldn't say it was completely out of control,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02but there was quite a lot of noise and I did feel the need,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04as you will probably have noticed,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06on a number of occasions, to intervene.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09They should pipe down and try to be good boys, if they can.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12As most weeks, it was a frantically busy,
0:27:12 > 0:27:17non-stop seven days in Parliament for the Speaker, but somehow,
0:27:17 > 0:27:18through the hard work, commitment
0:27:18 > 0:27:22and support of the VIP people around him,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25they've managed to make it a resounding success.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28I meet lots of politicians around the world,
0:27:28 > 0:27:32including Speakers in other countries, who say to me,
0:27:32 > 0:27:36"Well, Mr Speaker, we wish that our Prime Minister had to come every week
0:27:36 > 0:27:38"to answer questions
0:27:38 > 0:27:42"and we admire the fact that that's what happens in the United Kingdom."