Common mockery
Fraser Nelson 1:10pmIt was almost like David Cameron was being bullied by the Commons today. When he stood up, all MPs cheered – the kind of sarcastic cheer they normally reserve for Ming Campbell. When he mentioned the floods and “people in this country are discussing this issue” an almighty laugh went up saying “what would you know, you were inspecting Rwandan latrines yesterday.” When Cameron spoke about Europe, the Labour MPs roared with approval saying “we’ve forced you to lurch to the right. Game over”. Overall it was bad for Cameron – even Ming Campbell mocked him. His ill-judged Rwandan trip stopped him venting fury on behalf of submerged Middle England which he should have done. Brown wants to keep Cameron away from issues like Europe, crime and immigration – where he knows he is most exposed. If Cameron is breaking out of this pen, good and well. The sneers in the Commons will be a small price to pay.
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hogarth zombie
July 25th, 2007 1:17pm Report this commentSpot on, Fraser. Question is: has Dave learned his lesson? Isn't he talking to 1922 tonight?
EyeSee
July 25th, 2007 1:49pm Report this commentYou've covered it Fraser, but didn't seem to notice. I watched PMQ's and it seemed clear to me how desperately Brown was to deflect almost every question "gone back to the old position" he kept saying. Well yes Mr Brown, you are not the first Labour Prime Minister to lie about the EU or to deny a referendum, having won your election on the promise. It was as clear as day that Brown is reaping what he has sown with a total mess on immigration and a shambolic Blair inheritance on Europe and the pretend red lines. Howling down is now the only Labour defence to being asked to explain their actions to the people.
James T Kirk
July 25th, 2007 3:36pm Report this commentThe "lurch to the Right" should help Cameron keep the internal opposition onside, I suppose. Couple that with his re-branding exercise, which should prevent Brown's from demonizing the Party as was the case in the past, and infantile cat-calling may indeed be a small price to pay. But let's not become too optimistic! I wonder if any Speccie journos have an idea yet what statements we can expect from Brown or Cameron over the silly season?
Praguetory
July 25th, 2007 5:25pm Report this commentLogic and reason went out of the Labour window a long time ago. As you correctly state, the reason that the volume rises when DC talks about "right-wing issues" is precisely because it's on these issues that the government is most exposed.
Roger Thornhill
July 25th, 2007 5:51pm Report this commentThe UK does not have "red lines", but "Maginot Lines", only this time the architect knows they are useless and awaits the sound of tanks in the Ardennes to begin the New World Order.
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