In the first time that he has dedicated all of his six questions to one subject, David Cameron focused on the prisoner release scandal. The Leader of the Opposition highlighted the fact that Home Office ministers were aware last July that overseas national prisoners - including murders, rapists and paedophiles - were being released from UK jails and were not considered for deportation. Why were ministers' reactions "completely insufficient", he asked?
In a completely inadequate answer, Tony Blair responded by saying that more resources had been invested in the responsible unit at the Home Office and new, appropriate procedures had been introduced.
Mr Cameron asked why the Home Secretary had talked about "very, very few" prisoners having been released when the actual number of released prisoners was a shocking 288? It became clear that Tony Blair did not know about 'the 288' when he refused Mr Clarke's offer of resignation yesterday. Mr Cameron also highlighted the fact that Downing Street had told the press that Mr Clarke had not offered his resignation when he clearly had.
Charles Clarke had been responsible for "systemic failure" and he had "misled people" over the 288 releases since ministers were informed of this scandal, the Tory leader continued. He cannot give the Home Office the leadership it so desperately needs. The Prime Minister backs incompetent ministers. It protects its own backs before it protects the public. It promised to be "tough on crime" but has failed the law-abiding. It said in 1997 that there were only 24 hours to save the NHS but hospitals are now closing. "Enough is enough," said David Cameron.
Ming Campbell said the Government had been guilty of enormous incompetence and Charles Clarke must resign.
The Prime Minister looked a diminished figure today; his government's incompetence, evident from the nation's jails and hospitals to the handling of the 'occupation' of Iraq, finally catching up with him.
Charles Clarke making his statement now...wheres Brown and Blair? Hes been left with Peter Hain and Jack Straw.
Posted by: James Maskell | April 26, 2006 at 12:36
Could this be Tony Blair's last straw? If the media as a whole give him a very hard time, then it could well be.
For all Mr Blair's talk, his misleading slogans, his wasted parliamentary time, his lack of conviction and all the mistakes he has made along the way, he still manages to cling onto power and convince 30%+ of voters that his party and his Government is worth voting for. As you say, in 1997 he claimed that he would save the NHS and be tough on crime and the causes of crime. He has been neither, and is slowly destroying the health service with his incompetent bed-fellow Gordon Brown - burdening it with ever increasing debt (as they are with the economy and the country as a whole.)
Mr Blair claimed his Government would be whiter than whiter - but, even from the very start has been far from it. The public must hear of the injustice wrought upon this country, and the Conservatives must start telling it as it is.
Like Labour in the 90's, a Conservative spokesman must be on the news every day and every weekend running the Government into the ground for their complete incompetence. Unleash the hounds of Davis and Fox. Go!
Posted by: Chris Palmer | April 26, 2006 at 12:41
Like David Davis's approach - sorrowful at having to say those things about Charles Clarke then forensic disection of the story - add in Ming's example of another release today...
Posted by: Ted | April 26, 2006 at 12:41
and didn't Dave C set up David D well in getting PM to admit he didn't know the full story in PMQs so David D could use that in why he needed to resign.
Posted by: Ted | April 26, 2006 at 12:42
This is interesting. Watching Charles Clarke's statement and questions. The way this seems to be moving is that this failing by the Home Office is now a good reason to have ID Cards... oh dear.
Posted by: Chris Palmer | April 26, 2006 at 13:07
Chris see my comment yesterday - was waiting for the ID card excuse (but thought foreign nationals were excluded from ID cards?)
Posted by: Ted | April 26, 2006 at 13:12
Sounds like a bad PMQs for Blair and Labour, unfortunately I have only just woke up, so once again missed it.
Posted by: Rob Largan | April 26, 2006 at 14:34
"Sounds like a bad PMQs for Blair and Labour, unfortunately I have only just woke up, so once again missed it." - Rob Largan
Lazy student!
Posted by: Chris Palmer | April 26, 2006 at 14:51
I would have thought Rob having presumably heard the news last night you might have set the alarm clock for 11.55 am which I readily admit is a fairly unearthly hour for a student!
Posted by: malcolm | April 26, 2006 at 16:45
Until then he didn't know there were two 11 o'clocks in the day, malcolm!
I still remember that story about your student friend who was always lending money off people because he was never awake when the banks were open :D
Ming has had to apologise because his PMQs story about the Nigerian who was released today was incorrect.
Posted by: Deputy Editor | April 26, 2006 at 17:47
You have to wonder what Ming was thinking, could have easily bested Blair without relying on gossip.
Posted by: wicks | April 26, 2006 at 18:45
I'm not all that lazy, just I dont have any lectures on a wednesday, so there is nothing to get up for, plus there is a free bar on tuesday nights at a decent club, so there is no excuse to get an early nights sleep.
Posted by: Rob Largan | April 26, 2006 at 20:14
Witty related image
Posted by: Deputy Editor | April 26, 2006 at 21:45
Got a video player Rob? I had to be out all day, so caught up with the politics show this evening. Yes, Bliar was sweating big time! Do you want to borrow the tape Rob? or are you at the other end of the country! Thought DC and DD worked together really well. Also thought Blair was a complete Toad to run off and leave the poor sap to face the music. Where is party loyalty one asks. Its not nice to hang your ministers out to dry!
Posted by: Annabel Herriott | April 26, 2006 at 23:27
Health and crime. The two biggest issues coming out in canvass surveys. The Govt failing massively on both issues. Go get em Conservatives... thats all of us at every level working together and focusing the message,
Matt
Posted by: matt wright | April 27, 2006 at 00:21
Video players? You guys read a blog but are living in the past! All the PMQ's are online either on the BBC, or on http://www.parliamentlive.tv/ Even a bloody student could manage that! I only graduated last year so I can speak with authority on this matter, unlike Blair who seems to have been kept in the dark by his ministers' incompetence.
Posted by: Gregor Hopkins | April 27, 2006 at 01:48
I agree with the comment that health and crime are the two things people are most concerned with. Personally I think we need to focus on the failures of the government on the issues and there consequences rather than spending time trying to force ministers to resign.
In far to many cases ministerial resignation becomes the story rather than government failure.
Posted by: Jack Stone | April 27, 2006 at 09:41
I watched it online but thanks for the offer Annabel.
Posted by: Rob Largan | April 27, 2006 at 10:38
Jack, there is little point focussing on government failures on health and crime when you advocate virtually identical policies. At least chasing resignations diverts attention, however cynically, from the fact that you have no answers either....
Posted by: Michael McGowan | April 27, 2006 at 11:55
Sir Ming stood up to triumph at PMQs, got his facts wrong and sat down again.
Posted by: michael | April 27, 2006 at 15:17