Party leaders' topics: David Cameron on independent trust schools and school freedom. He described the education reforms as 'vital', just as Murdoch did the other day, Menzies Campbell asked if Tony Blair would push to strengthen the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur, and increase humanitarian aid there.
Best joke: It was a dull question time apart from Cameron's gem about Blair coming in to politics to soak the rich and ban the bomb, but ending up sucking up to the rich and dropping bombs!
Best line: "Your first act as prime minister was to abolish grant maintained schools and your last act would be to re-establish them." - Cameron to Blair.
Biggest cheer of the day: Cameron quoting Prescott: "if you set up a school and it becomes a good school the great danger is that everyone wants to go there". Or Blair responding to James Clappison who wanted a return of the UK theme to Radio 2: "My influence with the BBC is legendary."
Best behaved person of the day: The Tories and Labour on the LibDem leadership contest, the Oaten affair made it a no-no. The Chancellor, Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister were all exceptionally well behaved (none of them were there!).
Best putdown of the day: Cameron to the Labour backbenches who sniggered when he started asking a question about police force mergers. His tone gave him the moral high ground.
Missed topic of the day: They steered clear of the LibDem leadership contest predictably, although I expected some kind of metaphor with the deceased whale of the Thames!
Deputy Editor
Come on, Cameron's quip about Blair coming in to politics to soak the rich and ban the bomb, but ending up sucking up to the rich and dropping bombs had me in stitches. One of the funniest things I've heard in PMQ for a while!
Posted by: Mike Christie | January 25, 2006 at 14:00
They steered clear of the LibDem leadership contest predictably, although I expected some kind of metaphor with the deceased whale of the Thames!
I'm glad they didn't, it would have been punch-and-judy politics of the very lowest sort. Given the shocking news over the weekend, it would have severe bad form and rather tasteless to have made political capital of the tragic difficutlies of a respected, loved and admired public servant like the dead whale.
Posted by: William Norton | January 25, 2006 at 14:03
You're quite right Mike!
That was a great line, i'll add it in.
Posted by: Sam Coates | January 25, 2006 at 14:52
It was a good PMQs for Cameron, I thought. Blair can still hold his own but he's starting to come across as a little sanctimonious and oh so slightly desperate.
Posted by: Elena | January 25, 2006 at 15:06
Let's face it, anything that involves laughing at John Prescott is going to bring up that odd mix of hilarity and rage that this buffoon still has a job!
Posted by: Mike Christie | January 25, 2006 at 15:11
Cameron's manner, and the direction of his questions will set him in good stead methinks.
Posted by: Sam Coates | January 25, 2006 at 15:32
I thought thw whale was Soames taking a dip in the Thames.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | January 25, 2006 at 16:26
Im a little worried about how Cameron is going for education and foreign policy again. He needs to ask about the NHS, another big issue, similarly the economy. Eventually hes going to have to just go for it. He needs to spray the bullets around.
Camerons doing well at PMQs...perhaps its due to the 10 sugars he has. Forget Hagues 14 pints...weve got 10 sugars Cameron!
Posted by: James Maskell | January 25, 2006 at 19:39
It was Hague who told him to have 10 sugars though wasn't it?
Posted by: Sam Coates | January 25, 2006 at 21:39
"It was Hague who told him to have 10 sugars though wasn't it?" - Sam Coates
Apparently so. Someone mentioned it a while back.
Posted by: Chris Palmer | January 25, 2006 at 21:42
Yeah. I think it was the first or second appearance it was mentioned. Apparently having so much sugar it coats the throat so the voice doesnt come across screechy or harsh in the Chamber. It sounds like good advice. However, you shouldnt have 10 sugars in your tea regularly. It must taste revolting.
Posted by: James Maskell | January 25, 2006 at 21:44