Government officials say that the US-style news conferences are part of an attempt to be more open and more willing to be held to account.

Until now, daily briefings were held between an exclusive circle of political journalists and the prime minister's spokesman in the bowels of 10 Downing Street.

Thursday's news conference took place amid signs that relations between Downing Street and parts of the press are at a new low.

Labour Chairman Charles Clarke has accused the media of being pious and hypocritical, and on Wednesday David Blunkett said the media was "almost at the edge of insanity".

What did you think of the Prime Minister's performance? Can trust be restored in the government?

This Talking Point has now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

In a word, no. As cynical as it sounds, people simply do not trust politicians. That is the simple and basic truth of it. No amount of presidential-style briefings will remedy this because the popular consensus is that you never get a straight answer to a straight question from a politician. I am surprised that the PM has adopted this presidential-style briefing considering the amount of criticism he has faced for presidential-style posturing on the world stage. More substance and less posturing please, Mr Blair.
K Johnson, UK

Do I detect some very easily satisfied customers amongst your correspondents who support TB's new openness? Those who attack the media for nit-picking and anti-Labour spin have short and selective memories. Wasn't it Blair who went cap in hand to Murdoch for favourable treatment? Wasn't it Campbell who orchestrated a campaign of hate against the Tories? It is a classic case of the biter bit and these set-piece performances will take us no nearer to the truth of what is really happening in government. They are simply an opportunity to reiterate the same policies and move the goalposts when judgement time arrives. I never thought I would say this but even the Tories were more honest than Blair has ever been. Let's get back to parliamentary democracy instead of silly window dressing.
Mike H, UK

Trust doesn't come from spin doctors or press conferences

Mark, USA

Trust doesn't come from spin doctors or press conferences. It comes from saying what you mean plainly so that everyone can understand it and keeping your promises. It comes from not lying. It comes from admitting when you are wrong or when you have failed and promising to try harder in the future. Once trust is lost, it is the hardest thing in the world to regain.
Mark, USA

The Prime Ministers' decision to have televised press briefings has absolutely nothing to do with accuracy or being honest. It is purely about trying to avoid the errors of judgement and "spin" that his communications office have allowed to happen. He needs to be in control, and this is his way of getting some of that back, after the delegation has failed. I just wish we weren't heading so rapidly for a US style presidential office and instead had a Government that placed real concerns of its population over corporate marketing.
Howard, England

I think a lot of people have made their minds up about Blair with the help of the press. He may have not lived up to Labour's promises but he has gone some way to fulfilling them. He actually does many things he promises. The reason why the Campbell spin is necessary in his eyes is because the media constantly finds bad points out of good things. He cannot win.
Rahul, Uk

Anything that stops the selective reporting of the press has got to be a good thing, for too long now the right wing press that forms the majority of this country's reporting has, in lieu of a rightwing goverment, been doing its best to set policy rather than be content to report it. Remember the government sets policy, the civil service implement it, the press report it and the people endorse it or not at general elections. Certain sections of the media seem to want to set, endorse and report policy. That is undemocratic, perhaps a "press responsibility act" would help concentrate their minds?
Rhiannon Sands, Scotland

How many times are the government going to say 'Let's talk about the real issues in society' before they realise that public trust is a real issue. Labour appear to think that they are in some sort of competition with the press to try and outdo each other, and whilst they waste time doing this everybody is realising what a shambles the country is actually in. If the Tories get some good policies in place before 2004 Labour will struggle to keep their majority.
Mark Johnson, UK

His apparent openness via a TV forum is nothing but a controlled environment once again.

Elena, Bristol, England

The prime minister already has a forum to be examined by the electorate: his question time in Parliament. However he has seen fit to reduce this to once a week, and the fact is it seems almost a chore for him to appear in this arena where he does not tightly control the agenda. His apparent openness via a TV forum is nothing but a controlled environment once again. He should be more open and accountable to the House and the electorate. I'm sure that if he were to seriously place himself open to questioning and debate, he would meet the thousands of people who do not swallow his governments spin or his own syrup sincerity pills. All politicians seem to have a problem with being believed but this government has taken it to new stratospheric levels.
Elena, Bristol, England

I watched the briefing and was pleasantly surprised that the press generally asked straight questions and got straight answers. A refreshing change from the loaded questions usually asked in PMQ by all side designed to either trap the PM into saying something damaging to the government's credibility or simply into backslapping the government. Though I did notice a few journalists asking those kind of questions. I can't help wondering who they work for?
Graham, UK

Does anyone believe that the press are not expert spinners? I do not believe one word from them, my best assessment can be made by observing Mr Blair when he's being questioned "live by his baiters". The press don't like this because their spin when reporting that which has been seen becomes all too obvious. "Newspaper" surely is an oxymoron? Such as "healthy hamburgers".
Graham, Wales

Prime ministers like Maggie, Wilson and MacMillan didn't need stunts, because they had substance.

Jon Livesey, USA

I'm amazed that so many people still seem to treat Tony Blair as a new Prime Minister who deserves a chance, or who deserves to be trusted. Blair has been Prime Minister for over five years. By her five year mark, Maggie had already made huge reforms in the economy and set the country back on the road to economic recovery. We should face the fact that compared to Twentieth Century prime ministers, Tony Blair is a lightweight who is floundering, and these press conferences are just his latest attempt to keep his head above water. Prime ministers like Maggie, Wilson and MacMillan didn't need stunts, because they had substance.
Jon Livesey, USA

To restore trust he needs to stop privatising the health service by stealth, fulfil the promise to ban hunting, institute an ethical foreign policy, have the guts to take on the car lobby, restore our railways to public ownership, pay our teachers and nurses enough to fill the jobs... In short, if he wants us to trust this Labour government then it needs to start behaving like a Labour government. The forum he chooses to talk to the press is utterly irrelevant.
Charles Moore, Scotland

I notice that Mr Blair completely failed to answer one question and ducked, as the BBC said, several others. Perhaps if the purpose of such briefings is to increase confidence in the government he should be more willing to answer awkward questions rather than avoid them? Why, after all, should minor Royals be living off my tax money? It's a legitimate question but one Mr. Blair refused to answer, even though other services desperately need more funds.
Patrick, UK

As Elvis is currently telling us "A little less conversation, a little more action."
Jennifer, UK

If he is going to do these things, then they need to be done once a week

Chris L, UK

I read on the BBC News website that these press briefings were only going to be done once a month by the prime minister. If he is going to do these things, then they need to be done once a week at least, if not once a day. Any major event that happens the day after a press briefing will have been forgotten by the next one.
Chris L, UK

For once accept a good prime minister! Stop this moaning about Tony Blair and count your blessings that we are not still ruled by an authoritarian like Thatcher or someone timid like Major who was unable to control the flood of sleaze and disunity. This government is the best we are going to get given the political reality and circumstances.
YK, UK

The real spinners, liars and manipulators are the press. In Britain 75 percent of people don't trust the newspapers - by far the worst level of trust in Europe. That's because we have the most biased, untrustworthy newspapers probably in the world. Newspapers have their own agenda, and twist the facts to suit their views.
Steve, Belgium

Give Mr Blair credit where it is due

Jim Mundy, UK

Give Mr. Blair credit where it is due, he promised transparency in government. The problem for him now is that by putting himself up to scrutiny in this format on such a regular basis the public are about to find out how hollow New Labour's claims have been. And for the PM there can be no hiding place and using the old "I never said it" line.
Jim Mundy, UK

I think there is an air of cynicism being cultivated by certain partisan areas of the press these days who seem intent on damaging the government's reputation. Of course it hasn't been all wine and roses, but this government is doing a damn sight better than the last one could ever hope to. How quickly some people forget just how bad things were only five short years ago before Labour got in! Tony Blair deserves credit for this latest move. Let's just take it for what it is, rather than immediately assuming it must be another example of 'spin' or mere posturing.
James Whale, UK

The PM did well and this is a great move to open up government and put what was the lobby in its place. After all, they are only there to act as a cipher between us and the government. This has to be a good thing as we see them for what they are and the PM for what he is.
Anna, UK

The public just aren't that interested

Paul Steven, Scotland

At least Blair is making the effort to improve the communication of politics and policy. The problem he faces, however, is that the public just aren't that interested. Most people would rather be (tea)spoon fed soundbites about the narrow range of self-interest subjects that obviously impact on them, than have to think about whole range of policies for themselves. If they are honest, most people would admit that they are more interested in whether Alex or Spencer will be evicted on Friday than in whether PFI/PPP is the way to improve the public services.
Paul Steven, Scotland

We have the government we deserve and it spins because we believe it. We need to put in place a government of honesty by demanding such qualities of our representatives.
Alex Keenleyside, England

Call me old-fashioned, but I thought we already had a forum for the PM to answer questions and speak to the people. Whatever happened to the sovereignty of Parliament as a political institution in the UK? While I applaud any attempt to be more open, perhaps the PM would care to come along to Parliament more than once a week, so that elected representatives can quiz him, which could then be relayed through the media.
James Holden, UK

Just answer the question

Adam, UK

If politicians want us to trust them, they should start by being honest. When being interviewed, just answer the question. Nothing bad will happen to you if you use the words 'yes' or 'no', and you might find your voters start to respect you for it. Oh, and try not to lie. I don't mind paying an extra penny on my national insurance, but it doesn't look good when it was done by a government that promised not to put up income tax.
Adam, UK

If the President would like to be more accountable to the people then perhaps he should invite ordinary citizens to these briefings to put their questions. However, Joe Public would be bullied by press aides who might withhold access in the future.
Paul King, Scotland

Finally, I can watch and listen to Tony Blair, hearing for myself what is said and how it is said, without misinterpretation from the press and other media. Perhaps now the public might have an opportunity to see the petty time wasting of many journalists!
Peter Cooper, England

I felt patronised

Simon Darby, UK

Having listened to the press conference, I felt patronised by being constantly told that the issues raised were not of importance to me.
Simon Darby, UK

This new "briefing" was nothing more than "Listen with Tony...er I mean Mother."
Rebecca, England

When given the opportunity to ask questions freely, the press only seemed concerned with the petty argument over the Queen Mother's funeral. Very disappointing. The PM did well to stick to answers on policy issues which actually matter.
C. Griffith, England

If Jeremy Paxman can't get a straight answer out of Tony Blair in three full-length interviews then there is little hope of a bunch of reporters doing so. I fail to see how this will make the government "more accountable".
Steve, Switzerland

After reading the comments so far I'm not sure who's more cynical, the press or the public. The government reacts to criticisms of not being open enough only to find that the media attack that too. Tongue-in-cheek or not David Blunkett's comment on media insanity might have hit too close to home. Give a change of policy a chance for once.
Simon Turvey, England

The British government has functioned as a model of democracy for centuries, despite the lack of US-style news conferences. Most British people can see for themselves if the election promises are being kept, and it is on this criteria that the government will win or lose the next election. Speaking to camera instead of speaking to journalists might avoid the odd mis-representation in the press, but it won't reduce NHS waiting times.
Mark Schofield, France

It's not just this government who has been targeted, the previous one was as well.

Simon Moore, UK

Funny how a population who seems to hate "spin" go out and buy newspapers every day - newspapers are the biggest peddlers of "spin" known to man! Everything the government do or say is twisted by the newspapers into something that will either worry people or sound ridiculous so that more newspapers will be sold. It's not just this government who has been targeted, the previous one was as well.
Simon Moore, UK

There are clearly integrity and trust deficiencies in the character of British political parties. But this particular issue is just an overhyped squabble between politicians and journalists, both out of touch with the ground level news and issues. They should all get out more !!
Hasan, UK

It isn't presidential briefings we need - what we need is a simple, honest approach to politics. Support a good idea, whether from the other side or not, eliminate the spin doctors, only call for resignations where mistakes were foreseeable WITHOUT hindsight, stop playing politics as a game and realise the country is more important than scoring points.
Phil, England

A briefing is a world away from a debate.

Mike, UK

The government should be subject to questioning, however it looks increasingly that they are trying to avoid this. A briefing is a world away from a debate. Ultimately the PM is accountable to Parliament and the Head of State. The electorate deserve to see this in action. The big problem is the quality of debate due to the conduct of MPs in the debating chamber. Given this and of coverage from the Press and which ever way ever way the information is presented seems unsatisfactory.
Mike, UK

What's wrong with Parliament? If Tony Blair wants to be more open and accountable, then why did he reduce Prime Minister's Questions from twice to once a week?
John, England

A very brave move on the part of a government that appears to be suffering from foot IN mouth disease
Angela Smith, USA

When Mr Blair was first elected he planned to hold public meetings all over the country to meet the people and keep us informed. I remember just two of them. Here we see another gimmick by the master of gimmickry, which will do just as much to solve real problems as all his other sleights of hand.
Bob Harvey, Lincs, UK

I trust the government to tell the truth more than I trust our newspapers

Brian Chadwick, England

I trust the government to tell the truth more than I trust our newspapers but not as much as the BBC and Channel 4. The government needs to talk more directly to the people as it cannot trust the newspapers to deliver an impartial view.
Brian Chadwick, England

All these presidential-style conferences will do is bolster Blair's own opinion of himself and his belief that he should be president of Britain. Wake up Tony; the people don't believe your lies any more.
Eric Scott, UK

So the spin doctors won't be stage-managing these so-called media briefings then? Pull the other one!
David H, UK

He seems to be incapable of giving a straight answer to a straight question

James, UK

I'm listening at the moment. What a load of meandering drivel. He seems to be incapable of giving a straight answer to a straight question. I'm guessing he will review this attempt to appear presidential, and quietly drop the next conference. Another great idea from Alistair Campbell.
James, UK

All the public will be getting is lies on a more regular basis from the government. If anything this will worsen the public's trust in the government.
Alistair, England

All we ever do in this country is moan! And it says something when the only rational posting on this page is from China. Let's face it - Parliament is merely a Dickensian public schoolboy debating society that no-one outside of Westminster takes any notice of. It's about time the government was dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Good on them for taking the initiative!
Alan W, UK

I agree with Alan W. Too much focus is on what happens in happens in the Westminster village and that is all the political media seems to want to cover, with the press not wishing to report the facts but merely interpreting events through their own political bias. If this helps to break this and to shift politics back on to the real issue then good. If it doesn't then the government should drop it quickly. Perhaps those who should be learning the lessons from this are the media themselves.
Stuart Singleton-White, UK

Why should these briefings only be attended by journalists - who elected them? Why can't the voting public attend and hold their government to account?
N Cooper, UK

It depends entirely on how these briefings are handled. If they are stage-managed, then they are simply another Labour PR exercise and frankly will reinforce the public's view that Mr Blair is a two dimensional 'virtual' Prime Minister created with camera tricks and sound bites. If journalists are actually allowed some freedom to ask difficult questions (ie. what their readers want to know rather than what the government wants to tell them), then this would certainly be a step in the right direction and would go some way to restoring my faith in our government.
Tony, England

On the face of it, a news conference would appear to offer more open questioning but it's all going to be stage managed with them coming out to release their latest bit of spin before issuing a few "I can't comment on that" statements through that trademark smile as we see in the US equivalent. They'll be more in control, appear more presidential and I'm afraid, if anything, we'll all trust them less. It just shows their preoccupation with image over results.
Phillip Holley, UK

If it's more openness and accountability they are after then the prime minister should spend more time in Parliament, which is already televised, and full of elected representatives who will ask difficult questions. Instead the electorate is yet again insulted by a stage-managed media circus controlled by spin doctors.
James, UK

The media is not a government opposition

Zhang Yifan, China

I think it's mostly the media's fault. It searches constantly for breaking headlines for profit reasons and forgets its duty to report impartially. The media is not a government opposition.
Zhang Yifan, China

To Zhang, China: Unfortunately the media is the only effective opposition we have at the moment in our flagging democracy!
Steve, UK

I suppose it depends on whether the media and electorate approach the briefings with an open mind? Hopefully they'll resist the temptation to be influenced by some of the nonsense that has been spouted about No 10 in recent days...
Robert Crosby, Nottingham, UK

Does anybody really care in what way briefings are presented to the media as long as the information gets out?
Graeme, UK

The government doesn't get it. The lack of trust results from what they DO (or, more accurately, fail to do), not what they SAY. They already talk too much.
Ben, England

I suspect all we will see will be more spin and no real facts

Shaun, Teignmouth UK

I think if this government were to be trusted they would not have to go to such extravagant lengths to provide some form of proof. The media may well be overzealous at times but there is no smoke without fire. If it was all simply media-induced smear why dignify it in this way by making such an obvious show of defending one's position? I suspect all we will see will be more spin and no real facts.
Shaun, Teignmouth UK

He's going to make orchestrated statements in front of a camera. Will there be an opportunity for the opposition to voice its opinion? No. Is there a camera in existence that can reach high enough into the clouds to focus on his head?
Steve Cahill, England

Downing Street restore trust?? It never had it to lose. By their very nature nothing involving politicians can be trusted.
Martin, England