Prime Minister's Questions: the basics
Prime Minister's Questions, usually called PMQs, takes place in the House of Commons on Wednesdays at 12:00. It runs in sitting weeks. It is not a weekly event through the whole year, because Parliament pauses in recess. Watching from the public gallery is free.
There are two routes in. UK residents can request an advance ticket through their own MP. Visitors from abroad, and anyone else without a ticket, can join the queue at Cromwell Green and be let in if there are gallery seats free. Visitors from abroad are not shut out.
Three ways to get a seat
What each route needs and what it promises.
| Route | Who | How | Certainty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance ticket | UK residents | Ask your MP, as early as you can | MPs hold a limited number of tickets |
| Queue at Cromwell Green | Visitors from abroad and anyone without a ticket | Join the queue and wait | Admitted if gallery seats are free, no guarantee |
| Watch online | Anyone | Parliament TV, live or as archive | No queue and no security check |
Because MPs have a limited number of tickets, a UK resident should ask early. For a ticket the contact is your own MP, not this site.
Westminster tours and experiences
A tour or a river trip can fill the rest of your day, or the plan B if the gallery is full, with live prices and availability.
What to plan for
Practical points for a Wednesday visit.
Waiting without a guarantee
If you queue without a ticket, expect to wait and do not plan anything tight after it. Admission depends on free gallery seats on the day. Do not count on getting in at any time you arrive.
Check that Parliament is sitting
PMQs happens in sitting weeks only. Look at the parliamentary calendar for your week before you travel. Recess weeks, such as the Christmas break from 18 December 2026 to 4 January 2027, have no PMQs. See best time to visit.
Who stands in
Now and then another MP stands in for the Prime Minister or the Leader of the Opposition. You cannot be promised that a particular person speaks on the day you come.
Security takes time
There is an airport-style check of people and bags. Allow up to about 30 minutes for it, and more when it is busy. Bags larger than 60 by 40 cm are not allowed, and there is no cloakroom.
Phones and bags in the gallery
You hand in bags and mobile phones before you enter the gallery, and they are stored securely. Banners, flags and political slogans, including on clothing, are not allowed. See visitor rules.
Step-free access
The Commons gallery is step-free, which is the gallery used for PMQs.
If you cannot get in
Other ways to see Parliament in action.
Another debate day
On other sitting days, the public galleries are free and need no ticket. See watch a debate for the usual times.
A tour on a Saturday
A guided or audio tour shows the Commons chamber, Westminster Hall and more, on Saturdays and in recess weeks. See tours and ticket prices.
The broadcast
Parliament TV shows public sittings live and as archive, so you can follow a session from anywhere.
Keep planning
Pages that go with a PMQs visit.
Prime Minister's Questions: frequently asked questions
When is Prime Minister's Questions?
Wednesdays at 12:00 in the House of Commons, in sitting weeks. It does not take place in recess.
Can tourists watch PMQs?
Yes, if there are free seats. Advance tickets are for UK residents, but visitors from abroad can join the queue at Cromwell Green and be admitted when gallery seats are free. Admission is not guaranteed.
How do UK residents get a PMQs ticket?
Free, through their own MP. Ask as early as you can, because the number of tickets per MP is limited.
Will the Prime Minister be there?
That cannot be promised. Sometimes another MP stands in for the Prime Minister or the Leader of the Opposition.
How long should I allow?
Allow for the queue, the security check and the session itself, and do not book anything tight afterwards. The waiting time cannot be predicted for a given day.