Delighted to have Lucy update us all on what happened and how ordinary people need a voice in this debate:
Following my recent time on the predominantly remain biased BBC Question Time, I have come forward to share with you a little more about this experience. I knew the programme was coming to Nottingham and applied online – however I had a shock when they called me firstly I’d forgotten, but secondly they knew my political opinion and Brexit status of being a leaver. I know they’re meant to have all sides but we know not to expect this. The evening arrived and it is pre recorded with editing time before going out to air, so I was very surprised they hadn’t cut this out! I did stumble across Fiona earlier before the show – little did she know…
I wrote my two questions but there was only one I really wanted to get chosen, and put them into the box with all the others. During the warm up they confirm who’s questions have been selected to be put to the panel and surprise, surprise mine wasn’t one of the 7. In reality only 3 were asked and I now think it was better this way, it made it even better. The 1st question was climate change and went on for a while (you may notice my keen enthusiasm for this at one point!). Next up came the Brexit one asking if the political panel members were concerned (or not) about the two newly formed parties namely Change.UK and The Brexit Party, discussion ensued and became clear that here was the opportunity to correct them that they SHOULD be worrying about more than just this… so up went the hand, lots of eye contact with Fiona sitting opposite to me, a little fidgeting to make sure and then bam her hand points to me. This was it! Ok so what do I say? How long will I have?
John Rhys-Davies was speaking and I was listening to him, there wasn’t time to think it happened so fast. I started fine but once I realised I was actually speaking the emotions kicked in; how there weren’t tears I will never know nor how I stayed sitting haha, but then it all tumbled out – the months of pent up anger, frustration and the reality of how their game playing has affected my mental health problems. A little didn’t quite come out right but that was that I had done it – chest pounding and full of relief. No reply as predicted, that was shown as it happened and they moved onto the next audience member. However, the looks were priceless and after that I didn’t stay quiet. It isn’t shown to the viewers due to mike placement but there was arm waving and veins popping a plenty to the point John Ashworth looked very uncomfortable in fact at the end he was soon out of there. I still wonder what Victoria Atkins thoughts were as her face was a picture…
During the rest of filming it was all quite lively and a lot of this was edited out, but I think it came across anyway! I did wonder if I might be accosted on the way out but I actually got some thank you’s, so all was good. Watching the programme as shown was strange not knowing how they’d show it but they managed to reflect things quite well in terms of what happened. The feedback since has been immense and overwhelmingly supportive and makes me proud to be a leaver! I’ve been lucky and been able to meet some incredible people along my brexiteering journey, and the various other things I’ve taken part in making me realise all is not lost with humanity.
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