There are many things which – unjustifiably – are at their highest levels since the last Conservative government. For example, unemployment, including youth unemployment strikes at the heart of British society. Something else which strikes at the heart of our society – if we let it – is despair, confusion and infighting in the Labour party.

Ed’s performance this week was typical of the leadership he has shown since being elected. Much of his original PMQs strategy was to rely on one of three tactics. Tell David Cameron to change course – with Ed Balls ‘flatlining’, hands wildly gesticulating in the air. If that fails, tell Mr Speaker that the prime minister failed to answer the question – with Ed Balls shaking his head wildly. When that inevitably fails to touch a nerve, Miliband moves on to telling the House that the prime minister ‘just doesn’t get it’ – with Ed Balls pointing at the government frontbench. Wildly.

It is becoming a cruel satire of his entire leadership. First, we opposed the cuts. Then we supported all of them. Then the deputy leader said we didn’t really mean what we said. And Ed Balls just sat there and nodded sagely.

Ed Miliband didn’t appear to back the claims that Labour would accept some government cuts – totally contradicting himself. Ever the opportunist, David Cameron is using the state of the Labour party’s direction to advance his own political ambitions. He used Europe in the same way, toying with a flailing opposition.

The party confusion is far from contained within Labour HQ. We have seen it spill out this week into the media, and now it has reached the House to the joy of David Cameron. Suggesting that the prime minister should ‘change course’ plays directly into the hands of a comparative media-friendly PM – who responded that Miliband ‘changes course everyday’. It is perhaps time, then, that the Labour party leadership – and if not, then the shadow cabinet – took it upon themselves to make a fight of opposition.

And then, a rare sighting of a Liberal Democrat holding onto their convictions. Andrew George suggested that the PM might hold back the controversial health bill before it goes through the Lords. Teflon Dave batted that away – and don’t be surprised to see more pandering from the Lib Dems in coming weeks. To be seen as the ‘real’ opposition, Clegg’s party must press that Labour are in no fit state to oppose the Tories. Ed must avoid complacency.

Offering us – as ever – a rare glimpse of humour was Dennis Skinner, who in all seriousness was trying to press Cameron back into the weakened state he was in last summer over the phonehacking scandal. A wise tactic, for sure, to bring up Cameron’s own questionable judgment over Andy Coulson – who has disappeared from ‘the heart of government’ – but the PM very rarely suffers as a result of a Dennis Skinner question. In reality it added to the illusion that Cameron performed well. He was as typically avoidant of the key issues as usual, but it ultimately reflects terribly on the opposition benches that our confusion means we cannot hold him to account.

Today’s session in the House was Ed’s second chance to reaffirm the party’s position on public spending cuts – following his interview with Andrew Marr on Sunday. Rising to the despatch box to deliver a strong economic message, a strong position on Tory cuts and a strong leadership message was ultimately too much.

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Alex White is a member of Progress and tweets @iamalexwhite