So, a return to the ring for Brown and Cameron after their respective sojourns in Brighton and Manchester. However after the plots and drama of the last few days, the expenses hot potato is something of an elephant in the room, being conspicuous by its absense. I suppose its not really an issue either party see as a major point-scoring opportunity, and both will be wary of exposing discontent in their own ranks.
Infact the normally theatrical PMQs are distinctly sombre from the outset, despite a packed house. The mood can't have been helped by the long list read out by Brown detailing the names and rank of those killed over recess. Cameron opens up with some salvos on troop provisions and training, but they are hardly stinging. GB gives his customary 'I will write to you' response on any issue wherein he's lacking in statistics and initiatives to counter. You also get the impression that he's holding his cards close to his chest on the issue until he gives his statement after PMQs. Both Brown and Cameron seem to be trying to out-statesman the other on the issue of Afghanistan. Only Clegg fails to get in on the act by trying to extract a pre-emptive condemnation of the Afghan government's legitimacy from the PM. GB wisely states that he is reserving judgement until after the results have been analysed. Clegg also gets loudly booed by certain members, presumably because of his brave/foolish stance on expanding Sir Thomas Legg's remit in relation to the expenses audit articulated in this morning's Telegraph. Bad start for the Lib Dems, then.
Similarly absent from the main exchanges is the issue of public spending which dominated the party conference season. Brown cleverly waits until after Cameron and Clegg have exhausted their questions to launch an attack on Opposition cuts by attacking Tory proposals on child tax credits and Sure Start in response to a question from Labour backbencher Julie Morgan. Cameron must be fuming about that.
A final caveat about John Bercow. He certainly is a different kettle of fish to Micky Martin (or Lord Martin of Springburn as we now must call him). Having debuted as Speaker by laying down the law on excessive decibel levels, he is rather brisk with poor old Alasdair McDonnell of the SDLP, who looks bemused and is reluctant to sit down after being curtailed mid-sentence and told that the PM has 'the gist' of his admittedly long-winded question. The Lib Dem's Mark Williams recieves similar treatment. Is Bercow trying to recapture Tory hearts and minds with an efficiency drive of his own?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
PMQs Post-Mortem
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