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Prime Minister Burnham Takes Longer to Answer Questions at PMQs
By Drooid · · How we work
Burnham’s Lengthy Responses at PMQs
Analysis of the first three Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) sessions under Prime Minister Burnham shows he speaks for an average of 22 minutes per session. Each answer lasts about 51 seconds, roughly a third longer than the answers given by his immediate predecessors and up to 50 percent longer than the briefest recent premier.
How Burnham Compares to Recent Premiers
When measured against the same set of sessions, former Prime Minister Liz Truss answered in just 33 seconds per question, followed by Boris Johnson at 35 seconds, Sir Keir Starmer at 38 seconds, and Rishi Sunak at 39 seconds. Burnham’s 51-second average therefore represents a noticeable increase in speaking time per question.
Numbers Behind the Answers
The figures derive from averaging Burnham’s first three PMQs, each held in the autumn parliamentary calendar. The total speaking time per session was calculated by summing the duration of each answer and dividing by the number of questions asked. Because the weekly question count can vary, the analysis also examined the average time spent on each answer to provide a comparable metric across leaders.
Reactions from Parliamentary Officials
A senior parliamentary source suggested that Burnham’s longer answers stem from his willingness to address the questions directly, rather than offering brief deflections. The speaker’s office, meanwhile, emphasized that the speaker aims to involve as many backbenchers as possible during each session, a factor that can affect the overall pacing of the debate.
Implications for Parliamentary Scrutiny
Commentators note that extended answers may give backbenchers more substantive information but also risk consuming a larger share of the limited time allocated to PMQs. If the trend continues, the balance between detailed ministerial accountability and the need to field a broad range of questions could shift, prompting further discussion about the format’s efficiency.