PMQs: does David Cameron have any idea of MPs’ real concerns with the Lobbying Bill?

There’s nothing wrong with the Prime Minister turning up to PMQs with a snappy line that he wants those watching to remember. But sometimes as the exchanges wear on, the risk grows that the clever line isn’t going to get a showing because the questions haven’t been quite right. And so the line gets shoehorned into an answer that isn’t quite relevant. Take today’s question from Margaret Beckett on the lobbying bill that last night some Tory MPs decided to vote against. Beckett asked:

‘Why does the PM believe that his plans to restrict lobbying are opposed by organisations from the Salvation Army, Countryside Alliance, Oxfam, the British Legion and so on, right through to ConservativeHome?’

Cameron leapt up to reply:

'I was listening to the exchanges before I came in for Prime Minister's Questions, and it seems to me there's a concerted lobbying campaign being run by the trade unions who mysteriously managed to convince member of parliament after member of parliament opposite to raise this problem.