What is the point of PMQs?

All this analysis of performance is pretty much irrelevant. Swing voters DGAF. The standards for 'zingers' are higher outside SW1 (1/4)

Not really true that it is important for MP morale in long run.

If your party is way up in the polls, it doesn't matter. If you are way down, a good outing doesn't matter for long. If you're useless at leading that will be apparent outside PMQs as well as within.
(2/4)

But... no PM wants to look like a pillock. So the value is what you don't see unless something goes wrong. The prep sessions where No. 10 realises their answer to a potential question is crap. And that they need to do something on policy to fix it. (3/4)

That is similar to the power of an @afneil type interview. Noone wants him to take them apart. Fudges that get you through a meeting with friendly stakeholders wont work. So fear of embarrassment drives policy. (4/4)