VERDICT: A turgid sort of PMQs, where most of the quips were clumsy rather than cutting. Cameron probably won it by virtue of one of the few direct hits – his line about Ed Miliband knifing a foreign secretary, aka MiliD – and because Miliband failed, really, to prod and aggravate the coalition’s wounds over Libya. The Labour leader’s main attack – over the competence of the coalition – was clear enough, though, and could have some purchase depending on, erm, how competent the coalition is. As it is, Cameron’s hint that he still has the occasional cigarette will probably capture the spotlight.
1231: And that’s it. My quick verdict shortly.
1230: Jack Dromey asks why the coalition is cutting police pay at a time when the “bankers are walking away with £millions”. Cameron gives the usual response: that
the coalition is, with its bank levy, doing more to raise money from the banks than Labour ever did.
1227: Striking how many questions from the Labour benches have evoked the Big Society. “How does this fit in with the Big Society?” etc. The Labour MPs aren’t trying to flatter
the PM, of course, but they are flattering the agenda by referencing it so much.
1225: Cameron says that economy needs to be rebalanced towards the private sector. He also suggests that we have been too reliant on immigration for growth.
1220: Laughter as Peter Bone claims that Nick Clegg – as well as Mrs Bone – would absolutely love it. “It” being a referendum on membership of the EU. As it happens, I’m not sure Clegg is quite so keen on this idea as he was a few years ago. And Cameron certainly isn’t in the mood. His reply: “I’m afraid I’ve got to disappoint Mrs Bone … I think we’re better off inside the EU, but making changes to it.”
1216: Cameron doesn’t deny that there will be action on fuel costs in the Budget. “We are looking at this,” he says. Pretty safe bet that the duty hike will be postponed, at least.
1214: Backbench questions trudling along sedately, for the most part. Cameron does get animated as he says that the coalition is acting agaist the rising cost of living, with such policies as the raised personal allowance.
1210: Miliband doesn’t even bother asking a final question. He merely says that the government is “out-of-touch” and “incompetent”. Cameron notes that this is the “unusual prescripted stuff,” and hits back with a favourite of his own: that Labour don’t have a plan.
1208: Miliband has swung around to the police job cuts, predicted by the Association of Chief Police Officers yesterday, now. Cameron’s disputes the ACPO figures, and adds that there will be more police unchained from their desks and placed on to the beat. Miliband says that this is an example of the coalition cutting too deep and too fast. This issue is going to rumble on and on, not least because it’s one of those that connect with the public.
1207: As Miliband continues to press about Hague, Cameron puts it bluntly: “we have an excellent foreign secretary.” And the PM quips that, “I know only one person here who has knifed a foreign secretary – and I’m looking at him”. Miliband suggests that Cameron’s references to MiliD suggest that the PM is losing the argument.
1205: And there it is: Miliband labels the government as incompetent. He then traces his rhetorical crosshairs onto William Hague. Cameron replies saying that Labour shouldn’t dish out lectures on dealing with Gaddafi. Where’s the apology? he swipes. This is getting fiery – and quick.
1203: Ed Miliband now, and he leads off on Libya. Who authorised the SAS mission? Cameron replies that he takes full responsibility for the actions of his government.
1200: A prompt start, as Cameron delivers his condolences to fallen servicemen. The first question is about No Smoking Day, and it puffs on a little bit. Cameron says that one day he hopes to meet the requirements of the Day “in full” – an admission of the occasional cheeky cigarette perhaps?
Stay tuned for live coverage from 1200.
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