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PMQs - The Verdict
Edward Davie
Who says British people are apathetic? As MPs gathered for PMQs hundreds of remarkably similar looking protesters (retired, white, middle class, home counties) were demonstrating at the lack of a referendum on the EU reform treaty, while up on the roof green campaigners were attacking plans for a third Heathrow runway.
The prime minister made it clear that he was not impressed by those who had trespassed to make their point. "The message should go out very clearly that decisions should be made in the chamber of the House, not the roof," he told the Commons.
And while the eco-warriors had sneaked in to Parliament the Liberal Democrats had, the day before, been trying to get out.
Foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey was thrown out of the Commons for refusing to back down in a confrontation with deputy speaker Sir Michael Lord over his referendum amendment before all the other Lib Dems traipsed out after him in protest.
It led to that rarest of things - Gordon Brown getting an intentional laugh during prime minister's question time.
He said to Nick Clegg: "Welcome back. I hope this time he can stay long enough to hear the answers."
Clegg then nearly got thrown out himself saying to Brown "it is a shame that he seeks to defend clapped out 19th century procedures in this house", which he said were preventing debate on the EU issue.
Speaker Martin stepped in to warn Clegg to "be careful where he goes with this".
"I was talking about procedures not people," replied Clegg as MPs demanded he got "out".
If the Lib Dems were getting bolshie, left-winger Kelvin Hopkins had earlier reminded Brown that last week the parliamentary Labour Party had nationalised a bank and voted to give equal rights to agency workers before singing the Red Flag.
The prime minister would not be drawn on whether this was the beginning of a return to old Labour, but was clear that he disagreed with his deputy Harriet Harman's assessment of Fidel Castro as a "hero of the left" when he was asked by a Tory backbencher.
David Cameron used all of his questions to conflate everything from MPs' pensions to the lack of a referendum on the EU reform treaty and a call for US-style television debates to ask about falling levels of trust in politicians.
"Is it good value for money? Are we sufficiently transparent?" The Tory leader asked of his parliamentary colleagues - "You're not," Labour backbenchers shouted at him. They seemed in a very good mood - perhaps it was that rendition of the Red Flag.
Cameron also seemed to make a mistake when he asked the prime minister whether he thought MPs should not vote on their own pay, when this has already been agreed.
The Tory leader then moved on to the risky ground of MPs' expenses - and Brown was able to point out he had written to the Speaker "in regard to one particular member" - Conservative Derek Conway - and that he backed transparency.
"I welcome this clarity," Cameron retorted weakly.
He called for Brown to give a free vote to Labour MPs who feel their party's manifesto committed them to holding a referendum on the reform treaty.
Brown did not address this particular point but attempted to turn it round by asking if Cameron would back a post-ratification referendum - something that would give a new Tory government a serious headache.
Cameron then called for Brown to agree to a series of live television debates between the party leaders. Brown pointed out that Cameron was asking his question in a form of live television debate.
"Not many people watch these exchanges and not all those that do are hugely impressed by them," Cameron said in a moment of stunning self-awareness.
The Verdict
Gordon Brown - 7/10 - Managed to get a laugh and defend himself more competently.
David Cameron - 5/10 - Attempt to raise "trust" issues through several different areas of concern was too diffuse.
Nick Clegg - 6/10 - Not sure anyone noticed his question on mental health as the walk-out fall-out continued.
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Published: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:30:26 GMT+00
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