PMQs at midday today essentially marks the end of this Parliament. Although Parliament won’t formally dissolve until Monday, very little of consequence will happen in the next few days.The main topics for debate at today’s PMQs not hard to predict: the PM’s gaffe about not serving a third term, the booming economy under this government, the NHS and, if we are lucky, ‘two kitchens’ all are going to come up.
For the first time in recent weeks, Miliband has the opportunity to put Cameron on the back foot. As one Labour insider told me yesterday, the talk of a Tory leadership contest has presented Labour with the opportunity to show that the Prime Minister is ‘seriously frit’. Cameron, through, will be well stocked with jibes about Miliband stabbing his brother in the back and boasts about how united the Tories have been.
But the last few sessions of PMQs have been pretty pointless. Miliband has attempted to land blows on Cameron, unsuccessfully, over the TV debates while Cameron has shoehorned in his key messages of competence vs. chaos, long term economic plan and hardworking families.
Although many feel these sessions show the House of Commons at its worst (i.e. pointless and rude), today could be the last time Cameron and Miliband go head-to-head — possibly ever, but certainly before polling day. There are no two-way debates planned, so from now on, the two leaders will be shadowboxing from separate podiums. And after the campaign, it is almost certain that one of Cameron or Miliband will be ejected by their respective parties. Even the most vocal hecklers in the Commons chamber might find something to be sentimental about today.
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