How Twitter reacted to BBC Question Time in Sunderland

Fierce political debate took place on Wearside as BBC programme Question Time was broadcast live from a Sunderland school.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Mar 2017, 06:05 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 10:09 BST
Question Time host David Dimbleby. (Photo: BBC).Question Time host David Dimbleby. (Photo: BBC).
Question Time host David Dimbleby. (Photo: BBC).

Academy 360 in Pennywell was the venue for the show, which was shown on BBC1 at 10.35pm.

Hosted as usual by David Dimleby, this week’s panel included Culture Secretary, Karen Bradley; the SNP’s International Trade Spokesperson, Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh; Guardian columnist, Polly Toynbee; and the editor of The Spectator, Fraser Nelson.

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Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was set to appear, but because of travel problems was unable to make it to Wearside.

An invited studio audience of 150 people witnessed the programme’s recording live from theatre-style seating in the academy’s main hall, with some getting the opportunity to put panellists on the spot with questions from the floor.

A sign on a van outside the school called on Karen Bradley to stop Rupert Murdoch’s bid to take over Sky.

Mr Dimbleby also kindly interviewed pupils from Academy 360 as part of the run through for the programme.

A sign on a van outside Academy 360 in Sunderland where Question Time was being hosted. Picture by Stacey Aldous.A sign on a van outside Academy 360 in Sunderland where Question Time was being hosted. Picture by Stacey Aldous.
A sign on a van outside Academy 360 in Sunderland where Question Time was being hosted. Picture by Stacey Aldous.
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Twitter was alive with views and opinions during the broadcast.

Sunderland domestic violence charity Wearside Women in Need wrote: “Looking forward to #Bbcqt tonight, it’s from Sunderland, wonder if cuts to our refuges and DV services will be raised.”

John Jillings wrote: “@bbcquestiontime Please ask #KarenBradleyMP if she’ll do the right thing and refer #Murdoch’s Sky deal #bbcqt.”

BritishIrishLion wrote: “So I wonder if they’ll address the Elephant in the room?

A sign on a van outside Academy 360 in Sunderland where Question Time was being hosted. Picture by Stacey Aldous.A sign on a van outside Academy 360 in Sunderland where Question Time was being hosted. Picture by Stacey Aldous.
A sign on a van outside Academy 360 in Sunderland where Question Time was being hosted. Picture by Stacey Aldous.
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“The Unelected Lords sabotaging the British economy ahead of Article 50? Nahh #bbcqt.”

BigWatchLover said: “Good to hear ONE self-employed lad on @bbc5live APPLAUD the national insurance rise. Sensible boy who’ll go far #bbcqt.”

Stevo wrote: “So #bbcqt is in Sunderland, let’s count how many times Nissan is mentioned!”

Speaking about Chancellor Phillip Hammond’s decision to raise the rate of income tax for self-employed workers in this week’s budget, Sara Mason wrote: “No one made a fuss when all public sector workers NI went up. #bbcqt”

David Vance wrote: “The self-employed people of this country are driving the economic prosperity we see. Punishing them is plain wrong!!! #bbcqt”

Related topics:Question TimeSunderlandBBCTwitter