Today’s PMQs was not one to light up the fires of political passions. But it did focus on one important and divisive issue: social housing. The government’s so-called ‘bedroom tax’ is set to charge those living in social housing around £60 per month for bedrooms unused for more than 13 weeks at a time. Like many debates on welfare this parliament, it has been an occasion for dividing lines between the main parties, and today’s leaders’ clash was no exception.
Who won?
We compassionate centre-left types would be wilful to claim a Miliband victory. He argued, with some nuance, for the importance of sensitivity in welfare reforms. To ensure that we don’t bankrupt the poorest in our society, and make sure that, if nothing else, everyone has a roof over their head and a place to call home.
However, the issue of social housing, and welfare changes, won’t be won or lost in a single Commons exchange. These are issues which go to the very heart of the two parties’ visions, arguably the most contested issue in British politics after the economy. Numerous backbench contributions backed up Ed Miliband’s assertion that two-thirds of those affected by a bedroom tax are disabled, and that many soldiers’ families will be worst hit. But it would be misguided to assume all floating voters watching automatically feel sympathetic, minded of their own struggles.
Ed’s strongest point came when quoting the Tory treasurer (a doomed position, given recent occupiers) on his impassioned plea for donations that only the Tories can stop a homes tax. ‘Why is it right to “tax” the properties of the vulnerable, but not of the super-rich?’ Ed asked. Arguably, he was right. But we must remember that voters can agree with a mansion tax, while still feeling the social housing bill is too generous. They are not mutually exclusive, and appearing to oppose welfare reform has never been a recipe for general election success.
Best backbencher?
This was not a day of Tom Watson or nutty Nadine revelations. Tom Blenkinsop, though, raised an important question on the government’s unravelling perception of competance: what is it about the flatlining economy and million youth unemployed that gives the prime minister such confidence in George Osborne? As polls begin to see Ed Balls overtake the sitting chancellor on economic credibility, Blenkinsop highlighted an increasing sense that Osborne is a political liability.
Best question, answer, comment or joke?
Michael McCann enquired about whether it was true, following recent revelations, that Richard III has been declared fit for work by ATOS. David Cameron neither confirmed nor denied.
However, this week’s best question award has to go to Diane Abbott, who reminded us why she is a former parliamentary speech of the year winner, putting very eloquently the historic importance of yesterday’s equal marriage vote. ‘Does the prime minister agree with me, that the arc of history bends slowly, but it bends to justice’, she told a silent Commons. Tony Blair couldn’t have put it better himself.
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Benjamin Butterworth is vice-chair of LSE Labour Students and tweets @benjaminbutter