Bill Clinton’s successful assault on the White House in 1992 was won with the slogan, ‘It’s the economy, stupid’ – a slogan that was clearly on the minds of many MPs at today’s prime minister’s questions.
First at the crease for today’s match was Labour’s Tom Blenkinsop, with an alliterative question on debt, deficit and the triple AAA rating. Many of the following ‘first 11’ who went into bat against the prime minister also chose the economy as the main thrust of their question, raising a myriad of issues – from the cost of living and fuel prices to small business growth, manufacturing and deficit reduction plans.
Health and the NHS also featured heavily today, with some sharp intakes of breath recorded as Conservative MP Chris Skidmore used the tragedy of Mid Staffordshire Hospital to question Labour’s record on health. Attempting to score party political points on the back of such a serious issue will not be welcome, in contrast to the erudite contribution on the seriousness of knife crime from Tory MP James Morris, following the awful murder of Christina Edkins last week.
Enter the prime minister. Supporting a slick and shiny hairstyle that would not look out of place in The Only Way Is Essex, David Cameron was clearly floored by Ed Miliband’s first question on alcohol pricing, which was delivered with one of the Labour Leader’s best one-liners for many weeks. Surefooted and direct, Miliband proved to be a better performer this week with a calm, clear presentation. The prime minister on the other hand was faltering, rattled and appeared, at times, tired.
Cameron strangely resorted to answering the Labour leader’s first question after the second, in something akin to the famous Two Ronnies sketch. Adopting the Gordon Brown-style of giving lists for his answers, David Cameron appeared to lack confidence today. Maybe the sight of the home secretary lurking behind the speaker’s chair, rather than next to him on the frontbench, put him off – adding to, rather than quelling the increasing speculation about his leadership. Or maybe Mr Cameron was having an off day. We all do.
Today’s PMQs agenda was solely domestic, with only a passing reference to international affairs via David Blunkett’s question on the Millennium Development Goals. Responding to a rare closed question from the former home secretary, the prime minister’s answer was by far his best of the session, much better than his normal reactionary cut and thrust.
Who won?
A more convincing performance from Miliband left the prime minister playing catch up on the one-liners this week. The Labour leader performs better when he plays it cool and avoids the appearance of an overexcited schoolboy footballer player shooting at an open goal.
Best backbencher
Tory MP Andrew Bigham – any MP whose able to recite the complexities of a digital cutting creasing machine among the hubbub of the commons chamber deserves recognition.
Best question, answer, comment or joke?
Miliband won the battle of the one-liners today, asking if, after the U-turn on minimum alcohol pricing, there is anything the prime minister ‘could organise in a brewery?’. If the home secretary continues her thinly veiled manoeuvrings, Cameron may well be looking to organise her retirement party. We await the white smoke from the brewery chimney.
———————————————————————————————————————————————-
Jordan Newell is a Progress member and chair of Colchester Labour party