Common mockery

It 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.