Jeremy Paxman speaks to the BNC!

Jeremy Paxman has been interviewing politicians for over 25 years. He has interviewed the biggest names on the political stage, including our current Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He earned the reputation as one of the most fearless and feared interviewers in the country. We're delighted to invite him to speak to the Burnet News Club about a life holding politicians to account.
Did your job make it easier or harder to decide who to vote for?
warm_cricket, Brompton Westbrook Primary School
Good question, warm_cricket! It gives me no room to waffle. I think it made things a bit harder, because if you understand why people think something, you forgive them for it. One of the most depressing things on earth is to be in a place where people can’t vote to change the government . So you must vote.
How long did it take you to prepare your questions for your Newsnight interviews?
generous_nation, Ormiston Bushfield Academy
It depended upon how long I had. Big interviews with prime ministers or presidents might take hours, trying to guess what they might say if the question was put a particular way. Other times I was just dropped into it. I think that if you take the money for the job, you should be prepared to talk to anyone at any time, about anything.
What made you want to be asking questions for the politicians and what inspired you?
brilliant_fossil, Upton Cross Primary School
I have been journalist all my working life. I suppose I was a square peg in square hole: curiosity is what gets me out of bed in the morning, and I love words. I admire people who are able to devote their whole life to one field of work, but I have a butterfly mind.
Have you ever feared that you are too scary?
enthusiastic_crab, Bruntcliffe Academy
No. Do you fear you’re too scary? We’re all just human beings…..
What has been your hardest ever interview?
encouraging_rock, Tendring Primary School & enterprising_beetle, Beckers Green Primary School
It’s always the one you’re about to do, no matter who it’s with. Am I going to understand this? Will I get the wrong end of the stick?
Have you ever interviewed a politician who felt immense pressure by your line of questioning because he/she was unable to give you a straight answer and, as a result, walked out of the studio?
creative_sparrow, The Ruth Gorse Academy
Not that I can recall, creative sparrow. When you get down to it, everything is pretty simple and if you can’t explain yourself, don’t do an interview.
Big interviews with prime ministers or presidents might take hours, trying to guess what they might say if the question was put a particular way
Jeremy Paxman
What did you think of Jeremy Paxman's answers? Were they what you expected? Keep up the conversation in the comments below!
Comments (24)
21 Jan 2020
Just because some politicians aren't honest do you think they are bad leaders and bad politicians
I agree
....meaning I want to know the answer although I gave my opinion🤗
No because they might be lying for a reoson as they might have no information or reasons to answer that question
21 Jan 2020
Why do people such as presidents and members of the parliament have meetings and elections
I think I can answer that,they probably have elections so the party can decide on what they can do with what is happening and what's going to happen in the future. They need to do meetings for the party to discuss about their ideas 💡.
Probably but I also want to ask why (?) do we need leaders if we can control our own life.I mean that’s why we are here .....To use our own life’s by our selves.
They don't control your life but they do it to keep us safe.If you take Donald trump for example he did not have selflessness and he was not a good prime minister. He did make a mistake which was not fair for the Americans. Which meant Trump did control their lives but not everyone is like that.
I think they have meetings because a decision for a country is really big and they need to ask the other important people about the decisions so that he/she know that they are not making a mistake and needs to know the views.I think they have elections because the public is also important and they are living their so they should have a really big part of the decisions
21 Jan 2020
What is your thought of brexit?
I am not really enjoying brexit because it is causing a lot of trouble.
Thanks for your opinion!!!
21 Jan 2020
I have a question what happens if a priminister isn't that good what I mean is not that helpful and honest or selfless
21 Jan 2020
What made you want to start being a journalist and were was your first ever interview?
21 Jan 2020
If you were an important person I.e a president what would you do and how wold you do it?
21 Jan 2020
As a journalist what would you say mistakes of politicians,mp's or prime ministers?If you could choose the best prime minister in your opinion who would it be?
21 Jan 2020
Do politicians and presidents have to follow a special set of rules why and what are they??????????????
24 Jan 2020
As a politician what 3 things are most important that you would change to the world .
Honesty Integrity and being open.
24 Jan 2020
what is your favourite mp and why
24 Jan 2020
What is your favourite political party and why?
24 Jan 2020
why do you like going to the political party's
03 Feb 2020
would you be scared if one of the politicians would come and hurt you for not writing about them?
04 Feb 2020
was you scared of any of the people you interviewed
You must be logged in to post a comment