Flu takes over at PMQs

A total cheat at PMQs today. It was a swine flu swindle. Only a week has passed since Labour’s manifesto-busting tax-hikes were announced in Darling’s bankruptcy budget and the MPs’ expenses scandal is still pumping out clouds of noxious smoke and yet Cameron allowed himself to be persuaded that the pig-bug business equals a State of Emergency. If Cameron agreed to a truce today he was duped. Rather than hammering the prime minister he joined him in a stage-managed recital of announcements and statistics.  So what if a few million extra masks have been ordered? The health secretary should deal with that. People watch PMQs for a cage-fight that reveals the competing strengths of the parties. Instead we got a ritualised exchange of niceties and cucumber sandwiches. Still, the boring drivel yielded something of interest. Our fleet-footed government is preparing ‘a leaflet’ which will be delivered to every home in the land ‘by next Tuesday.’