Extensive tributes were paid to Eric Forth, whose seat behind David Cameron and in between David Maclean and Andrew Mackay was left free to symbolise the great Parliamentarian's absence. Blair said he was a "redoubtable opponent, caustic at times, fearless and principled always, often
witty... a thoroughly decent man".
DC asked about immigration reform, quoting Blair who had said in 2004 that the immigration department had been transformed. He also lambasted him for blaming past governments - "he'll be blaming Sir Robert Peel next". The House laughed through Blair's defence, causing the speaker to reprimand the House twice - even threatening to end the session if members didn't stop hissing.
Menzies Campbell seemed to a have a frog in his throat a la IDS. Menzies got the usual sarcastic cheer and as usual started on a sombre note by not only paying tribute to Eric Forth, but by starting his question with a reference to the Dunblane shootings. His second question was snappier, pointing out contradictory statements by Tony Blair and John Reid about whether the Home Office was "fit for purpose" or not.
Cameron asked if Gordon Brown would take on the non-tribal politics displayed in the Education Bill, causing Blair to praise his record. Repeating his line on the reshuffle, Cameron scored points by asking if Gordon was doing such a good job, why didn't Tony let him take over.
In response to a question from Malcolm Moss about John Prescott's privileges, Blair said he had no intention whatever of discussing the reshuffle, and in response to Robert Goodwill's question about the signing of the Hutton report he merely said that "no offence was intended".
His standard style of answering questions was being scorned by members more than ever today.
Deputy Editor
I must say, childish as it can seem, I find the increasing hostility of the opposition benches to the standard Blair reeling off statistics answer most refreshing. For too long have we sat in silence as he reeled off his doctored figures. He's talking increasing amounts of nonsense, so let's mock him as much as we can. He's getting more and more rattled by this treatment and he's not getting the support from behind him.
Posted by: Mike Christie | May 24, 2006 at 16:21
On the signing of the Hutton report for fund-raising:
No offence may have been intended - but Ed Vaizey made it very clear immediately afterwards that offence was certainly taken.
More to the point, how could anyone giving any thought at all to this have imagined that anything other than offence could possibly be taken? Did Cherie bother to ask why on earth anyone wanted her to sign the Hutton report?
Posted by: Simon C | May 24, 2006 at 16:49
Simon
Its reported that she didn't only sign it but she donated it. So if it was a copy lying around flat at No 11 presumably it was government (i.e. our) property.
So not only distasteful but potentially dishonest. Was the earlier copy raffled off on eBay signed by Alistair Campbell purchased from HMSO or was it a government document?
Posted by: Ted | May 24, 2006 at 17:18
Good to see Iain Dale has picked up on my post on his site earlier about who owned the report.
Posted by: Ted | May 24, 2006 at 17:50
Another amusing question from Dennis Skinner too, always brightens up PMQ's.
Posted by: Matthew Oxley | May 24, 2006 at 18:31
The leaving of Eric Forths seat is a touching gesture. I hope the Conservatives will ensure no one sits on it until the new MP is elected, should it be Conservative. If a Conservative does not win, keep it empty permanently.
Posted by: James Maskell | May 24, 2006 at 18:37
It was another grim performance from Ming. I think he'll be gone or going by the end of the year.
Posted by: Editor | May 24, 2006 at 18:41
Well, Im sure youve all heard about the Simon Hughes "chat" with Ming the past week or so...
Posted by: James Maskell | May 24, 2006 at 19:18
I hope your wrong Mr Editor, we don't want Ming to go for a long time yet
Posted by: Dick Wishart | May 24, 2006 at 19:35
keep it empty permanently?
Sorry but that's too mawkish James - a touching gesture once, overly sentimental if repeated.
As for Ming - surely the LDs should wait until Labour have a new leader; that way they could better judge who to choose.
Posted by: Ted | May 24, 2006 at 19:36
"Another amusing question from Dennis Skinner too, always brightens up PMQ's"
What did he ask?
Posted by: Richard | May 24, 2006 at 20:25
And what of Ming's cancer that rarely gains a mention? Perhaps they might blame that rather than his appauling performances for hs departure (if he does go.)
Posted by: Chris Palmer | May 24, 2006 at 20:45
""Another amusing question from Dennis Skinner too, always brightens up PMQ's"
What did he ask?"
He said that one of his constituents was an illegal immigrant in 1995 and working for CCHQ.
Posted by: Jack | May 24, 2006 at 20:47
He reminded the immigration problems were actually our fault since some illegal immigrant in the 90's worked for CCHQ (or something along those lines).
He has got that open left hand when talking to the Prime minister, followed by the pointing right hand when addressing us, to a tee.
If the BBC's PMQ's doesn't work you can also get it at http://www.parliamentlive.co.uk too.
Posted by: Matthew Oxley | May 24, 2006 at 20:48
>>>>As for Ming - surely the LDs should wait until Labour have a new leader; that way they could better judge who to choose.<<<<
Vincent Cable would be the most similar to Gordon Brown, if they wanted to go for someone younger they could go for Sarah Teather, Lembit Opik, Nick Harvey, David Laws or Professor Stephen Webb.
If they pick Chris Huhne they could easily end up as a party whose leader is not an MP at the next election, Eastleigh is a very marginal seat
Posted by: Yet Another Anon | May 24, 2006 at 21:09
"If they pick Chris Huhne they could easily end up as a party whose leader is not an MP at the next election, Eastleigh is a very marginal seat."
Chris Huhne would be a risk, but then the so-called 'safe pair of hands' Sir Menzies Campbell has proved to be a rather shaky pair of hands. Huhne is the most credible choice IMHO.
Posted by: Daniel Vince-Archer | May 24, 2006 at 21:13
Sarah Teather, Lembit Opik as leader!!!!!
How I would love to see this 'dream ream' in charge of the Lib Dems
Posted by: Andrew Woodman | May 24, 2006 at 21:35
I don't understand why anyone would want to pay extra for a copy of the Hutton Report signed by Cherie Booth, actually I don't care in the least - if it's their copy and someone wants to buy it off them then that's up to them.
Posted by: Yet Another Anon | May 24, 2006 at 21:57
The Sun reported PMQs very positively for us.
Posted by: Deputy Editor | May 24, 2006 at 22:04
"he'll be blaming Sir Robert Peel next"
Great Retort.
The tactic of blaming previous administrations is obviously running out of credibility 9 years on. Comments like this will ensure that they put this sorry excuse to bed and start to take responsibility for their own mess.
Posted by: Serf | May 25, 2006 at 07:36
Yes, it was a very good performance by Cameron.
Dennis Skinner was hilarious, Ming is the perfect rival as he is so crap and Blair has completely run out of steam.
Posted by: Chad | May 25, 2006 at 08:58
Blair keeps ending his answers with, "Yes, there is still a lot to do".
I can't believe he gets away with saying this, this is what he says to everything and is unacceptable.
Cameron should clearly seize upon this and counter with "Yes, exactly there is a still a lot to do, that is why the Blair premiership is going on and on, because the job is never finished. When will he have done what he intends to do at the Home office (or other, insert as necessary)?"
Posted by: Stephen Alley | May 25, 2006 at 12:42