VERDICT: What a refreshing change that was. After several weeks of Punch ‘n’ Judy rivalry, the two party leaders finally put down their batons and stumbled upon a new way to do it. Much of the credit must go to Ed Miliband, for asking pacific questions about Egypt and Afghanistan in the first place. But credit, also, to Cameron, for answering them in a straightforward and statesmanlike manner. The rest of the House, for its part, was stunned into silence by this peculiar scene. Some of the blood rushed back into proceedings with the backbench questions, and as Cameron directed attacks at Ed Balls, but this must still go down as the most decourous PMQs in recent memory. Less spice, more meat – not a bad trade-off in this case.
1231: And that’s it. My short verdict soon.
1229: And there’s the “deficit denial” line again. Cameron barks that “there’s only one side of the House that actually has a plan”. I suspect he’s refering to the
coalition benches.
1228: Cameron: “The evidence in clear, academy schools are improving results … we should keep up the pressure.”
1226: The PM refers to Frank Field’s recent report on child poverty as a “good report”. He goes on to mention the pupil premium as a measure to help the least well-off
young people. “Labour had thirteen years…” he points out scornfully.
1224: Cameron stresses that the economy in Northern Ireland needs to be rebalanced away from the public sector and towards the private sector.
1222: Cameron clearly enjoys goading Ed Balls. He cites the shadow chancellor’s claim – debunked by the IFS today – that there wasn’t a structual deficit when the coalition took over. “Deficit denial!” he swipes.
1220: Some of the usual vitriol is returning to this PMQs. Labour’s Ronnie Campbell rattles off a dreary list of cuts and economics metrics, to which Cameron responds by lambasting the previous government.
1218: Cameron’s getting better at this health reform stuff. He says that the NHS needs to be driven by the people, not by “top-down decisions from Whitehall”.
1217: The familiar line from Cameron on the banks: he says that he wants to see a smaller bonus pool, more lending and a greater tax take for the Treasury. He adds: “I’m confident
that we’ll see all of those from our recent discussions”.
1215: Cameron says that Pfizer’s decision to close their research centre in Kent is “not a UK issue,” but more about their internal company management. He did call it
“depressing news,” though.
1213: Vernon Coaker raises the hostility a notch, by pressing Cameron on what he would say to the mother of an autistic boy who has recently been denied certain therapies. Cameron deals with this difficult question effectively, saying that Coaker needs to fight the council’s decision. Cameron adds that many parents have fought similar battles, including himself for his children.
1211: Ed Miliband quips, “I sense people aren’t used to this type of PMQs.” It gets a laugh – but he’s surely right. Cameron agrees that parliamentarians expect a “bun fight,” but “it’s better to have a serious conversation”. He’s had one today, and the Labour leader sits down.
1209: This is thrillingly straight-laced. Ed Miliband and Cameron are discussing the need for a political settlement in Afghanistan. It is “vital,” says the PM.
1208: Woah, this is – so far – perhaps the most sedate PMQs that I’ve seen. Which is to say, it’s pleasant change. Ed Miliband says that he supports the mission in Afghanistan, and asks for an update on the situation. Cameron thanks the Labour leader for his question.
1206: More on Egypt. Cameron says that elections aren’t enough by themselves: they need to be supported by the “building blocks of democracy,” such a free speech, etc.
1205: Gosh, this is very respectful stuff from both leaders. Miliband asks Cameron whether he agrees with Barack Obama whether political change should come swiftly to Egpyt. The PM says that what matters is “not just the orderly transition [of power], but that it begins now.” He adds that Mubarak needs a credible timetable for sidling off the political map.
1203: A civilised beginning to the leasders’ exchange. Ed Miliband asks Cameron for details on the plans to return British nationals from Egypt; Cameron thanks his counterpart for visiting Afghanistan this week. Expect the inclusive mood to shift shortly, though.
1200: David Cameron leads off with the traditional condolences for the fallen in Afghanistan. The first question is a hostile one from the Lib Dem Bob Russell: are local health authorities using the Big Society as an excuse for cuts? Cameron is forthright in his response, saying that local authorites have to show that they are cutting excessive executive pay, etc, before looking elsewhere.
Stay tuned for live coverage from 1200.
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