PMQs live blog
Peter Hoskin 11:42amStay tuned for live coverage of PMQs from 1200 onwards.
1204: Here's Brown now. First question from Jim Sheridan - "Today's unemployment figures are extremely disappointing ... will [the PM] reassure us that he will deal with this?" An opportunity for Brown to talk about "investment" in skills and training.
1206: Cameron now. Leads on unemployment and the rise in the claimant count. "Doesn't this mean that the PM's claim that Britain was best-placed to weather the recession was nonsense?"
1208: Brown repsonds that the Government are spending £1.3 billion on the problem. He adds, predictably, that the Tories would "do nothing".
1209: Good blunt attack from Cameron: "There's a gulf between what the PM says in the House and what people are experiencing across the country." Then, rightly, brings up yesterday's IMF figures.
1210: This has got heated, quite quick. Brown's bashing his lecturn with his finger, listing the government methods of "investment"; claiming that the recession started later here than anywhere else; and suggesting that, on certain indicators, we're doing better here than other countries.
1212: Cameron: "Let me correct the Prime Minister - our economy stopped growing last April; we've actually been in recession for almost a year." Then comes up with a punchy list of government schemes which haven't been implemented.
1215: All fiery stuff, but descending into a to-and-fro between Brown's "do nothing" jibe and Cameron's "headless chicken" claims. Cameron seems to be connecting with more of his blows, though.
1216: Terrible pun from Cameron, talking to Dennis Skinner: "You wanted miners in the government, and now you've got one - Lord Myners."
1217: Brown adopts a teacherly tone: "Unprecedented means without precedent; global means across the world..." Then - shock! horror! - an extra sprinkling of "do nothing" jibes.
1218: Cameron gets angry, referring to Brown: "What a complete phoney!" The Speaker makes him withdraw the comments.
1219: Brown: "They are the party of the few; we are the party of the many." The opinion polls may disagree with that one, Gordon...
1221: Phew. That was a rat-a-tat, angry exchange between Cameron and Brown. Clegg now, who leads on the shocking story of targets and deaths at Stafford hospital.
1223: Brown says that this particular case is "unacceptable", and there'll be a review. Clegg responds asking whether the "tick-the-box culture" will be scrapped.
1227: Responding to backbench questions, Brown says that families affected by the Stafford hospital case will be able to look independently at the "case notes" and take any subsequent action they want to.
1230: Backbench questions on jobs, regions and torture. Brown again says that the UK doesn't "condone" torture, and that Sir Peter Gibson will investigate any complaints on the matter, and will report to Brown. Much consternation on the Tory benches.
1232: More on Stafford hospital - Brown effectively repeats his earlier remarks.
1235: Backbench questions on carers and St Helena.
1236: And that's that. My verdict coming up shortly.
VERDICT: A fiery encounter, and one which generated more heat than light. Brown and Cameron battled out a score draw - with both flailing about angrily, but failing to score a knockout blow. Cameron's exasperation showed with his "What a complete phoney!" moment, and that will probably dominate the post-match coverage. I guess a man can only take so many Brownies...
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samantha
March 18th, 2009 12:16pm Report this commentCameron over-stepped the line there im afraid. What a Phoney? He was embarressed when he has to withdraw it and will know it was a mistake.
Shame, was going well up to then.
David
March 18th, 2009 12:30pm Report this commentSorry, I think it's about time someone smacked Skinner down a bit - however corny the pun. The man has an enormous sense of self-importance for someone who only really exists as a bitter windsock.
Plato
March 18th, 2009 12:38pm Report this commentThe phoney line stuck - doesn't matter that he withdrew it. Phoney Tony jibe direct hit.
Oscar
March 18th, 2009 12:41pm Report this commentGordon Brown IS a phoney.
boulay
March 18th, 2009 12:43pm Report this commenthe's not a phoney - he's a nutter.
actually a good line by cameron as the more the press talk about it the public will just focus on "brown - phoney" and probably agree.
Henry Rogers
March 18th, 2009 12:57pm Report this commentJust a thought. 'Phoney' may be unparliamentary language but it is exactly what lots of people outside Parliament feel about our revered PM. Whatever creepy Nick Robinson said on 'The Daily Politics' I doubt Cameron minded too much about being told to withdraw, which he did gracefully enough. I think the phrase will continue to do its work regardless of the Speaker's ruling. Most people are not Westminster insiders and we don't see things in quite the same way as those who are.
Mind you, there are plenty of who criticise Cameron on exactly the same grounds, especially some eloquent contributors here. We'll find out what everyone really thinks at the genral election, whenever that happens.
I was watching the hands of the people sitting behind the PM. Lots of tension and discomfort there I thought, not quite hidden by their better controlled facial expressions.
Bernard from Horsham
March 18th, 2009 12:59pm Report this commentI dont agree. I though Cameron hammered Brown, Brown was back to the clunking fist and stammering. The attacks on Gordon Brown promising but not delivering were particularly effective. A clear win for Cameron IMHO
Peter Buss
March 18th, 2009 12:59pm Report this commentNot sure it was a mistake. OK in the Westminster village it was but if that clip is played on the News then the word "phoney" to describe Brown may very well strike a chord with the electorate who will also find it difficult to uindertsand why the mysterious world of Westminster requires Cameron to withdraw a remark which many will find only too acurate.
Oscar
March 18th, 2009 1:21pm Report this commentI thought Cameron knew exactly what he was doing. He knows he has to create a stir to get any coverage at all. The word phoney is not offensive and accurately describes what many people think of Brown. It's a direct hit I'd say.
Burt
March 18th, 2009 1:29pm Report this commentA score draw?
Brown had lost the plot by his third answer and the phoney jibe will resonate because it is true.
Trevors Den
March 18th, 2009 1:30pm Report this commentSKY News far more savage on brown and onb Lord Rio for saying that no Job Centres are closing when they clearly are.
And fair doos to Iain Dale - he has McSpeaker allowing Cameron to say 'phoney' last year.
Seems McSpeaker and mcRubbish Robinson are much more on Mandys Message now.
http://iaindale.blogspot.com/2009/03/michael-martins-phoney-moment.html
Liz Brown
March 18th, 2009 1:37pm Report this commentCameron is right - Brown IS a phoney and in spite of what the Londoncentric Nick Robinson et all thought - it will play well. Cameron did well today - Gormelss"s "promises" of things done are still in the pipeline
DW
March 18th, 2009 1:37pm Report this commentCameron back on bashing form. Brilliant.
As for the phoney remark - millions call Brown a lot worse than that every week. It'll do Cameron no harm, whatever Nick Robinson says.
Don
March 18th, 2009 2:09pm Report this commentPut it this way. When Brown and Cameron get back to their offices, who will be feeling the better. I refuse to believe anybody genuinely thinks that Brown will get back to his office and say to the clingons, thank god he called me phoney, that really pulled it out of the fire for me. I also bet that Camerons clingons will be saying excellent the press are all over the phoney statement, makes Brown look a right clown.
JONNY
March 18th, 2009 2:12pm Report this commentCameron fair murdered Brown.
Maybe the word 'draw' needs a new definition - like: 'embarassingly one-sided contest over which we have to cast a polite veil'.
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