Back then, matters of peace and war were debated with rare civility as hushed MPs sat dumbstruck; the words of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition melded together coating the chamber in a polite, consensual gloop. It was worthy, weighty stuff; serious politics for serious times – a new model for political debate?
Thank heavens no; with the little platoons of the ‘big society’ scattering to the four winds, Ed the Younger was on the offensive, at last: measured and dispassionately methodical, yes, but for the first time in a long time, truly effective. The more Miliband mocked him, the angrier the prime minister got, slamming his palms down onto the dispatch box lest some unpleasantness sprout forth. What was locked up in there? A public sector woodland? An unreformed and underperforming primary care trust? Lord Wei? No, it was a surprise £200m big society fund, rained down on the prime minister by the banks, sweet manna from heaven and sustenance for our brave volunteers! For a moment, the PM leant back on his heels, pink of cheek and pleased, before the agenda was dragged from City money to sure start shortfalls and library closures. As happens too often, his robustness gave way to short temper and the leader of the opposition pounced with his best line in months: ‘You shouldn’t get so angry, it will cloud your judgment. And you’re not the first PM I’ve said that to.’
Labour MPs laughed (some of them hesitantly) Tory MPs jeered, and the Liberal Democrats looked glum. Ed Miliband smiled and fans of Punch and Judy politics rejoiced; both had enjoyed a good day. What a difference a week makes.