View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
March 4, 2004updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

Press warns against evening MP sessions

By Press Gazette

Prime Minister Tony Blair is being urged to resist calls to abandon morning parliamentary sessions because journalists have warned it will mean the Government will be less reported.

Evening newspaper political reporters sounded the warning to Commons leader Peter Hain as some MPs stepped up pressure for the Prime Minister to reinstate evening sessions.

Labour put an end to MPs sitting late at night and, in some cases, all night, and introduced familyfriendly hours to attract more women into politics.

MPs now sit in the morning – in time for evening-paper deadlines.

But the Prime Minister is facing a backlash from some MPs who preferred the old hours.

Takings at Commons restuarants and bars have also been hit.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Now MPs are being sounded out about reinstating evening sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and possibly abandoning Friday sessions altogether.

But Hain has also decided to consult the media before any changes are made. The Commons modernisation committee, which Hain chairs, has already taken oral evidence from Elinor Goodman, political editor, Channel 4 News, Peter Riddell of The Times, George Pascoe-Watson, deputy political editor of The Sun, and Guardian political editor Michael White.

Evening paper political editors this week submitted evidence and pointed out morning sessions were popular with readers and editors.

John Hipwood, political editor of the Wolverhampton Express & Star and Shropshire Star, said: “I can understand why many MPs are unhappy about the hours, but the earlier starts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays have definitely benefited evening papers.

“With Prime Minister’s Questions at midday and major parliamentary statements like the Budget at 12.30pm, we can now get same-day stories into later editions — something which was difficult, if not impossible, under the old sitting hours.”

Phil Woolas, deputy leader of the Commons, warned MPs: “Unfortunately, any suggestion for change is inevitably reported in some parts of the media as a retrograde step – that members are trying to have more time off.”

Woolas, however, should not be surprised newspapers should question MPs’ motives. He admitted at the same time that the Commons once held Saturday sessions until MPs voted in the 18th century “to go hunting” instead.

By David Rose

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network