Who won?

With a bit of a spring in his plimsolls after a happy week up in Oldham, Ed came out ready to rumble, starting with a good set of questions on today’s bad employment figures and the government’s decision to press ahead with cuts. He sounded tough and across his stuff and is clearly personally affronted by the government’s indifference to growing unemployment.

David’s response wouldn’t have given anyone facing the axe any comfort, but he gave a detailed answer that was well and truly across the issue and used other figures released today to paint a fuller and more cheery picture of growth. Not entirely convincing, but it took some sting out of the attack. Though he did deliver it with that self-righteous tone that makes him sound horribly strained.

Ed was on much surer footing in round two on the NHS. He prosecuted a very clear case that hospital waiting times will go up due to the Tories’ reforms; he’s probably right and the public seem to be agreeing. Dave came back with an assertion that waiting lists will come down because of investment in the NHS and cutting bureaucracy (or, as you and I call it, sacking people). At no point did he confront Ed head-on but did manage to stay on his feet. Ed came out a bit ahead, but it did get into a bit of a soundbite vs soundbite argument.

Conclusively? Neither. But, if I had to choose (which I do): Ed.

Best backbencher?

Speaking from the backbenches today was Chris Bryant with his leaked information on Welsh police numbers. After Wikileaks this may seem like the dullest leak one could possibly be in possession of, but he did a great job of ramming the figures through the government’s claim of no net loss of frontline police numbers. The fact is, this claim is a blatant mistruth and the Government can expect more leaks like this. Chris did a brilliant job and fired up the Labour benches and clearly annoyed the Tories, well done that chap.

Best question, comment or joke?

In terms of things that made me chuckle, there were some great choices on the Tories’ side. Who does Anne Main’s hair? It was like watching David Cameron being questioned by 1964 and Julian Brazier did a top-notch caricature of a smug Tory backbencher, by explaining that welfare is, ‘a hand up, not a hand out.’ Thereby deftly explaining to the House the main difference between welfare and inherited privilege.

Best comment though goes to Ed’s line that ‘You can’t trust the Tories with the NHS,’ delivered in close to a roar. When in doubt, go with a classic. Ed’s sounding great at the moment and he delivered the line with all the red-blooded energy our side needs.