As proceedings got underway Lord Trimble took a seat in the gallery reserved for peers and diplomats directly opposite the prime minister. It was a reminder of how a once popular leader can quickly fall from grace, their party disintegrating in the process.
But if such thoughts crossed Tony Blair's mind he didn't show a sign of it as he shouted down all comers.
He was helped by a far more helpful performance by his own backbenchers who, unlike recent weeks, cheered his retorts loudly and fielded (mainly) useful questions - almost as if someone had told them to.
Roger Berry got the prime minister off to a great start by alluding to the Conservatives proposed alliance with the "extreme rightwing fringe" in the European parliament if, as they have promised, they leave the European People's Party.
Cameron smirked at this fun at his expense before rising with his own attack.
He was sporting his favourite lime green tie which he seems to wear every other day. I know he's trying to prove his environmentally friendly credentials but perhaps he needs the help of Carole Caplin.
Cameron attacked not Blair but Brown and claimed that the chancellor's flagship policy of tax credits are "keyhole surgery with a hacksaw".
He asked, already knowing the preferred answer, which member of the cabinet "is responsible for this piece of incompetence".
Blair hit back saying tax credits help 20 million people and have helped "lift 700,000 children out of poverty" and suggested that the Tory record proves they would send them back to Dickensian squalor - or words to that affect.
Sir Menzies Campbell, much criticised recently for his performance in this arena, stood up next, a comforting 'donut' of loyal MPs sat on the stairs next to him.
It obviously helped because his question, on the UK's participation in CIA 'torture' of terror suspects as alleged by the Council of Europe, was a pertinent one well delivered.
The prime minister sounded shifty by avoiding the question and claiming the report had no new evidence.
The Lib Dem leader's comeback that the prime minister would find "careful reading of the report particularly rewarding", hit the mark and reminded his audience that he can still put up a fight.
The only drawback was that the focus of his attack was foreign affairs, a subject he has been accused of focusing on to the detriment of issues closer to home.
Still, it shut the Labour backbenchers up who obviously feel uncomfortable with the government participating in CIA 'rendition'.
Labour MP Jim Devine complained that a "million drugs" are being counterfeited every day in his Scottish constituency.
From a sedentary position Dennis Skinner said "in Notting Hill as well" in a cheeky reference to allegations about the past recreational activities of some senior Tories.
Later Blair revealed that he was about to participate in the Sport Relief 'run a mile' with over 100 other MPs - but "not the deputy prime minister" a heckler shouted - suggesting John Prescott prefers more sedate pastimes.
The prime minister was probably relived that no-one told him to "run a mile" in every sense.
The Verdict
Tony Blair - 7/10 - Used his old trick of sticking to attacks on the Tory record but a return to form nonetheless.
David Cameron - 6/10 - Did not really land a blow with knife crime and tax credits.
Sir Menzies Campbell - 7/10 - A greatly improved performance with a question that need to be asked.
