VERDICT: A rowdy session, but constructive. Miliband went for the Big Society, which is in severe difficulty at present. He was very effective, but his attacks lacked absolute coherence. He failed to establish a link between his examples and his wider political point that the agenda is mere packaging for latent libertarianism. So, Cameron had enough wriggle room to repulse Miliband and was able to launch his own attacks on the Labour leader’s irresponsible opportunism, and he also savaged Liverpool Council’s reactionary politicking. Both leaders had good lines and were deft on their feet, as point was met by counter-point. Their supporters were in full voice too, sufficient to allow the quibbling Speaker to intervene and re-assert himself after last week’s wife-related incident. All in all it was a high scoring draw, but Miliband will be the happier of the two.
12:34: Tory backbencher Priti Patel raises tonight’s prisoner voting rights debate; she asks if parliament will have the final say.
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