PMQ's live blog

Eyes down then for the last PMQ's of this government.

And first something that we have got a little to used to,the tributes to the fallen in Afghanistan.

Now to the real thing and a planted question to give Gordon a chance to tell the country how the party won't be cutting investment

Now Cameron's up and once again it's Afghanistan asking the Prime Minister whether he will take responsibility over the lack of helicopters.His answer,says Cameron,sums up his government,an inability to take responsibility.

Now another of Brown's achilles heals,will he admit that he has devastated pension funds?

People are now starting to rumble Gordon Brown says the Tory leader.

Now the jobs tax and Gordon's jibe that business leaders don't understand-Does he really believe that he knows more abot job creation than the business leaders?

Gordon is floundering-trying to return to the prepared script

Cameron is winning this hands down at the moment,the momentum appears to be with him at the moment-this government will wrek the economy says Cameron

The same old Tories says Brown-to think that he was the future once he adds(now where have we heard that before)

Calm now desends with a question on Sudan with Brwown pointing out that Labour has doubled overseas aid.

Now Clegg's up.....

and attacks both Brown and Cameron waving the report on party funding-why should anyone trust a single thing that either of them says.

It gives Brown a chance once again to mention Lord Ashcroft.A ridiculous answer says Clegg as the levels of noise in the house leading to the speaker intervening.

That was a good set of questions by Clegg setting out the store of his party.

Only the Tory party is saying it will take the money out of the economny says Brown

Now we are back to helicopters and once again Brown rebuffes the Tory charges.

Now a chance to attack the Tory parties alliances in Europe-the same old Tory party says the PM.This really is an issue that Labour should be concentrating on,one feels.

Harriet Harman having a long conversation with Douglas Alexander behind the Prime Minister.

Michael Fabricant is brushed away by the PM,rather a weak question.

Now the PM attacking the Tories over tax credits and quotas and migration policy.

Well that's it all over.Where will the leaders be standing for the next PMQ's.Tory benches shouting bye bye as Gordon leaves the chamber

Battlelines are set over Afghanistan at PMQs

One of the most divisive PMQ's for some time as the party leaders fell out over spending in Afghanistan.

A sincere anger from David Cameron who when quoting the views of several generals following Gordon's Brown's Chilcott appearance was met with taunts that they are all Tories.

He continuously asked the Prime Minister to disassociate himself from those remarks.He called it a "disgraceful slur" and accused the Prime Minister of not having the "character" to stand up to his backbenchers

Gordon meanwhile deflected any criticism by confirming that military spending was increasing under Labour.

But then scoring a large own goal when mentioning that it fell under the last Tory government forgetting that in fact that was when the cold war ended.David reminding him that the Tories won the Cold war whilst those on the benches opposite wore their CND badges.

So on the day that the platform for the general election was set,the battle lines are once again drawn.Is this going to be the issue that the Tories will concentrate on? And is Lord Ashcroft to which Gordon Brown insisted on mentioning over and over again going to be Labour's main issue.

Let battle commence

That Mrs Merton moment

Rather like the famous question from Mrs Merton to wife and assistant of magician Paul Daniels,Debbie McGee,David Cameron used the obvious ploy to the Prime Minister in the Commons at Lunchtime

Instead of what attracted you to the millionaire star-it was

"Why after 13 years in power,three governments and 90 days before an election have you now suddenly found a fondness for PR?

Cameron says move PMQ's

A little snippet of information from Sky's Jon Craig

David Cameron wants to move PMQs from Wednesday to Thursday if he becomes Prime Minister, adding that

The Tory leader also wants "substantive business" in the Commons on a Thursday, rather than the dross (my word, not his) that fills the order paper on Thursdays these days.

Thoughts on PMQ's

A rather robust and confident Gordon Brown at the dispatch box today.Signs of Alastair Campbell and Peter Mandleson all over his answers using numerous humourous attempts to put down the Tory leader over his lack of policy.

David Cameron must be regretting that poster and the air brushing.

It may also regret his line of questioning,choosing a softly softly approach over the bad problems and leaving himself wide open over policy.

Nick Clegg and David Heath for the Lib Dems chose to focus on the Chilcott inquiry asking whether Brown should volunteer to appear before the election.Another robust defence by the Prime Minister who reminds the Lib Dem leader that he wanted Chilcott to set the agenda whilst telling Heath that he had no regrets over Iraq.

Result-a win for Gordon,a missed opportunity for David and rather an own goal from Nick Clegg

PMQ's -Live blog

David Heath for the Lib Dems returns to Iraq asking Gordon whether he is personally sorry-Gordon stands by the decisions he made.

Brown-"policy not posters win elections."

Cameron-"cabinet too disloyal to support him"

More humour from Cameron over Cabinet support last Wednesday and Harriet Harman's role in electoral strategy but Gordon is having a good day

Signs of Alastair Campbell in the scripting as Gordon tells David he needs three election debates because he has three different policies.

Six of them who dont want him in the cabinet and only four want him on their election leaflets says Cameron-

Now Cameron straight into how Gordon will be more radical-gives Gordon a chance to have a go at the poster-cries of more from the Labour benches

Blackpool's Gordon Marsden with a planted question aimed at Islam4UK

Clegg insistent that he should give evidence before any election-I have got nothing to hide says the PM.

Now its Nick Clegg's turn to groans from the Labour front bench-will Gordon do the decent thing and volunteer to give evidence to the Chilcott inquiry-

In the meantime Labour's Dari Taylor with a question about children in care

That's enough so far-David has four questions left-ready to attack?

Cameron counters-lessons to learn will the government hold a review?-This is rather weak one thinks-will he move onto gas supplies?

Gives Gordon the chance to reel out the measures being taken

It's the cold weather-there's a surprise-efficient supplies of salt?

Now Cameron up-where will he attack?

Groans from the Tory benches as the subject of Palestine is the second question-again Gordon's response ouses confidence

Tory Bill Wiggins raises a laugh about the level of debt as the country enters recession-a robust reply from the PM

Gordon announces that the government will be sending emergency aid to Haiti

Eyes down for this week's contest as Scottish questions are wrapping up.

Thoughts on PMQ's

Maybe the events in the chamber may yet be overtaken by events as there are rumours of backbench moves to oust Gordon.

But I felt that GB's performance in the house was good, almost relishing the attacks on his government by both Clegg and Cameron.

Surprisingly and unlike other occasions Brown did not lose his cool and gave a calm and calculated attack on the Tories lack of policy.

Cameron may have scored a bit of an own goal by continuing the attack on the meltdown without concentrating on its consequences but his final riposte that if Brown thought that they had no policy,then why not call an election was a good signing off point.

Notable that there was no mention of the local elections and only one planted question on the European ones.

PMQ's and the Tory tactics

I think that Gordon Brown made a very good point when he said that today's PMQ's exposed the Tories for what they were.

There was not one serious question from the opposition benches.David Cameron concentrated totally on the cabinet splits and the reasons why the PM should call an election.Added to that from other bank benchers came jokes about throwing typewriters around and his grand vision.

Gordon handled it well and in the run up to local and European elections,the Tories have missed a trick.

Furthermore the questions from Labour backbenchers and the other parties stood head and shoulders above those from the opposition benches.

I think that David Cameron and his advisers has a made a massive mistake

A hit or miss on the expenses trail for Cameron

It seemed an unusual step for David Cameron to launch into an attack on expenses at Prime Minister's question's earlier today.

Iain Dale was firmly of the opinion that it represented a missed chance

I think David Cameron was wrong to raise the issue of MPs' expenses. It just smacked of politicians talking about themselves. He made some totally valid points on the timetable for the review and 'long grass' , but today was, perhaps, not the time.

but Mike Smithson disagrees

I’ve been pondering for the past hour on Cameron’s decision and have concluded that probably he was right. The responses he got from Brown were equivocal. He came over as though he was dragging his feet on what will be live issue well after the G20 has gone and people can’t remember what it was all about.

Maybe though he had more important things on his mind such as meeting Barack

Verdict On PMQ's

As the last couple of weeks a score draw between the big two with Clegg just a point behind.

I felt today that Clegg's question was a little weak considering the exchanges prior to him getting to his feet.

Cameron and Brown are now two immovable objects clashing together with neither giving way.Gordon is convinced that his solutions are correct and will not entertain any thoughts otherwise.

The battlelines are well and truly drwan for the next election.

What a complacent answer

What is the point of PMQ's other than being a competition to see whose sound bite can make the news headlines?

Nick Clegg summed up Gordon Brown's performance when badgering the PM about the banks lending to business,he said his answer was complacent.

This now seems to be the standard for the Wednesday lunchtime frivolities with the Prime Minister refusing to answer what are perfectly acceptable questions.

The problem for both Cameron and Clegg is that unlike the pre recession exchanges,Brown is on solid ground whereas his opponents to him are "mere novices."

Hence his lecturing today on the differences between monetary and fiscal policy.

Why would Brown not withdraw the remark?

"Obviously the Prime Minister doesn't want to withdraw his remarks"

That was David Cameron during PMQ's earlier today.

It was one of the most fractious sessions between the two.Gordon Brown accused David Cameron of playing party politics over the death of Baby P which is plainly wasn't.

With both sides of the House calling across the chamber and the speaker being forced to intercede on the part of both party leaders,why did Brown not withdraw his remark?

Another example of how the Prime Minister seems unable to deal with anything that is not in his prepared notes

PMQ's

Eyes Down for another PMQ's as the party leaders will no doubt be wrapping themselves in the Obama flag.

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Verdict on PMQ's-appalling

I was appalled by the exchanges on PMQ's this lunchtime.

I see that the Lib Dems David Laws described the exchange as infantile on the World at One and I have to agree.

71% rise in house repossessions,the country facing rises in unemployment,a winter of high fuel bills and these two trade insults over who said what when and who is to blame.

Frankly ,regardless of what Gordon Brown said in 1997,it makes little or know difference to the policies needed today.I think that it what the PM was trying to get across but with little conviction.

Meanwhile both of them jumping on the Ross/Brand bandwagon was simply a unnecessary stunt.

The best bit of PMQ's today

PMQ's Live Blog

Eyes down for the last installment of the session.

Groans for the planted question about the economy and the international reasons for the recession.

It's a wonderful thing that you don't have to finished a planted question to get an answer says David Cameron

Cameron cuts straight to the chase,whose idea was it to march those convicted of knife crimes to hospitals.

Brown won't answer.No one owns up says Cameron

Now to car tax,why won't he admit he is wrong.Brown counters with the substance arguments.

He cannot be straight with anyone says Cameron.

Now we're onto the John Lewis list,why wasn't he there? No answer but says that it must be ended

Back to substance and Brown tells Cameron that he runs away from policy and during the recess needs to look carefully at his policy.

Now Clegg on the attack and asks whether there is a winter of discontent on the way.Brown counters with the flexibilty argument and the news that more jobs are being created.

Obsessed with detail,not looking at the big picture and out of touch says Clegg.

No so says Brown and lists all the ways that the governement is tackling them

Troops properly staffed and equipment is what we want to see says Brown in response to attacks on government defence spending

Now we're on to Wales,high employment,less poverty and higher public spendingin the principality is all down to a Labour government.

Strange Tory question Does he think that the price of petrol is too high or to low-Brown says too high of course and lists all the things that he is trying to do in the international arena

Now Ken Clarke asks the taxpayer is going to pay for the state of public finances-Brown launches into a tirade over what he inherited from the Tories.

That's two strange Tory questions that have let the PM get the floor

Now here's a good one.Why does the government charge Vat on sunscreen? He deflects but tells of all the money being spent on research into skin cancer.

So it's all over,rather tame.I thought Brown did quite well but a lacklustre performance from the opposition.

More embarrassment for Gordon over 42 days

The Telegraph has got hold of a letter sent by the cheap whip Geoff Hoon to Keith Vaz,

“Dear Keith…Just a quick note to thank you for all your help during the period leading up to last Wednesday’s vote. I wanted you to know how much I appreciated all your help.”
“I trust that it will be appropriately rewarded!...With thanks and best wishes, Geoff.”

You may recall that in the run up to the vote on the 42 days detention,Mr Vaz,an opponent, was courted by the party to change sides and it was rumoured that he had been promised a knighthood.....hence the reference to being appropriately rewarded

David Cameron asked the Prime Minister at Pmq's whether any deals had been done over the vote and when the PM answered no,brought up the letter much to the embarassment of the party.

Davis-the latest.

Telegraph online are reporting that David Davis is rumoured to have stalled on his resignation so that he ca bring up the subject of civil liberties during PMQ's on Wednesday.

The shadow home secretary had been expected to formally quit today, but has told friends he will not now hand his resignation letter in to the Treasury until Wednesday afternoon.

says the report.

Meanwhile it seems highly unlikely now that he will face Kelvin MacKenzie,Guardian online reporting

executives at the Sun, which MacKenzie originally said might back his candidacy, and owner News International are understood have cooled on the idea and sources said it is unlikely to proceed.
The Sun has not referred to the mooted campaign by its columnist once in print since MacKenzie and Murdoch, the paper's proprietor, discussed it at a party on Thursday night for editor Rebekah Wade.

Over at Conservative Home Davis tells why he quit and starts with a line from History

The Austrian Chancellor Metternich was once told of the death of a rival. "I wonder what did he mean by that?" was his response.
If Metternich were alive today he might have enjoyed a second career as a Westminster commentator. He would certainly have been able to give full rein to his thirst for the conspiracy theory, rumour, gossip and wild speculation. No story need be constrained by the dreary recitation of the facts. Instead, it can be spiced up spectacularly by all manner of guesses, intrigues and sinister motives. Welcome to the Westminster Village circa 2008.

Guido is first off the mark with news that daviddavisforfreedom.com is set to launch tomorrow

A boisterous house

Watching Prime Minister Question Time and the statement on the pre Queen's speech statement,one gets the impression of support and respect dwindling away from Brown.

The house was in a rather boisterous mood particular on the Tory Benches who were unhappy about not being given the draft statement before it was read out by the Prime Minister.

On to the speech itself and the Prime Minister laid out a number of policy areas

1. A banking bill to give protection to savers
2. a savings bill giving low income people access to a national savings scheme
3. an education and skills bill to provide a statutory right to apprenticeships
4. new rights for agency workers
5. legislation to set up an NHS reform bill setting up patient constitutional rights
6. support for the housing market

David Cameron accused the Prime Minister of pinching all the Tory ideas and suggesting that instead of employing spin doctors he should instead invest in a copy typist to attend the Tory conference.

Pm's questions-Brown on the defensive

Eyes down for a resumption of hostilities as PM's questions gets underway.

Gordon Brown will be working out his strategy now. His options are not appealing.
The key question is whether he will use this occasion to admit for the first time in public (the PLP is behind closed doors), that there are losers as well as winners under his tax reform package.

says Joey Jones

But to ease the pain the governemnt has released a written statement to the Commons stating that they will compensate pensioners and the young over the 10p tax rate abolition

So here we go

Labour backbencher Louise Ellman kicks off who asks whether Gordon Brown will give a specific committment to bringing forward measures to help those who have been affected by the 10p rate abolition.

Brown is in combative mood,saying that the government feels that there are better ways of addressing poverty....We are the party of fairness in poverty to cheers as the leader of the oppossition gets up

Cameron starts by saying that we can call the session,Prime Minister's u turns.Lack of authority,massive climb downs and is he making the changes because he fears losing next week's vote.He says Brown is taking the people for fools,Brown counters that Labour is the party to take people out of poverty unlike the Tories who were against the 10p tax band and the minimum wage.

Why did all this begin asks Cameron reminding Brown that the initial announcement came from his budget looking for cheap hits.He continues that the whole issue shows the government is about,Politics not policy,self interest not national interest.

Brown counters with a long list of Labour's achievements on poverty something,he says that the Tories would have never done.

Cameron reminds him that he had to break off a meeting with the President of the US to take an outside line to persuade an MP not to resign and lists the recent comments of Labour MP's.

The only time that Brown listens is when he is in danger of personal defeat urging the public to vote against them on 1st May.

Nick Clegg to much shouting rises to his feet,the speaker having to intervene,before accusing the Prime Minister of penalising the poor to help the rich,something that he felt was the Tories position."Where were the Labour dissentors on Budget day he asks"

Mike Gapes, Labour member for Ilford, does a party political broadcast on behalf of Ken Livingstone,letting Brown add that if Londoners vote for Boris they can say goodbye to affordable housing and good transportation.



So who won?Cameron on the attack,Brown returns fire with lists of achievements and accusing the Tory party of double standards.But there is no doubt that Brown was on the defensive throughout,helped by the planted questions designed to attack the party opposite.