David Cameron attacked John Reid's brief record in the Home Office, saying he had already blamed "Judges, the civil service and the public" and asked if he would get on with the job himself and be any better than his predecessor.
Blair defended Reid, and was in something of an arrogant mood. Replying to Cameron's second question he said "Excuse me, the right honourable gentleman is talking absolute rubbish", and went on to use his soundbite of the day, which he repeated later:
"They talk tough in the media but vote soft in Parliament".
A detailed and passionate argument ensued between them about indeterminate sentences, the Sentencing Guidelines Council and the number of paroles. Blair's main argument was later corrected when Edward Garnier pointed out how the government had "destroyed" the Parole Board.
Menzies Campbell asked about the cost and waste of nuclear power - noting that the 2003 Energy Review had discouraged its use. Campbell got a small sarcastic cheer for managing to ask his two questions without a gaffe. Blair responded confidently about the need for nuclear power, pointing to new technology and the need for a balance of sources.
Cameron changed the focus to the NHS, asking about the long-term effects of the loss of Multiple Sclerosis nurses - who save the NHS money - and the wider problem of job losses in the Health Service. He also asked the PM to apologise for Patricia Hewitt's "crass insensitivity" in saying the NHS was having its best year ever. Usual replies from Blair.
John Thurso asked Blair to name a big Government IT project that had to gone to plan, unsurprisingly to an inadequate response.
Deputy Editor
I put my angry reaction to Blair's ratty response to a question from David Cameron on the crime situation at PMQ's, on the main thread. He ignored the fact that his (Blair's) government have passed dozens of NEW laws to do with crime, in the nine years that they have been in power, his pathetic repsonse was to say - well almost shout - that it is the conservatives fault because of the legislation that they passed ten years ago!!!!
You can always tell when he knows that his case is weak (to say the least), because he gets more and more snide or catty.
Posted by: Patsy Sergeant | June 14, 2006 at 13:14
The Sun is reporting that Blair won the exchange.
Posted by: Jon Gale | June 14, 2006 at 14:20
What's Pascoe-Watson judged that on then? The fact that Blair got a soundbite and looked angry. To me, he looked like a desperate man with no control over the situation he's found himself in.
Posted by: Andrew Woodman | June 14, 2006 at 14:25
blair is unfortunately spot on re "tough in media but soft in reality".
what has davis said about the paedophile story? nothing - because the tories have no intention of locking them up for life either.
there is no reason to think that a conservative government understands the scale of the breakdown in order across the UK (partly cos the MPs live in a bubble), and no reason to think it would be more than 5% different than blair if they win the election.
this is sad but is there a reason to think otherwise? they will not get rid of the echr which actually limits sentences a lot regardless of whether you tried to have a "lock up aedophiles forlife" policy. the ECHR/EU would not let you and the tories would give in.
Posted by: anon | June 14, 2006 at 15:41
Well the Sun would!!
Posted by: Patsy Sergeant | June 14, 2006 at 16:52
Minguselah was quite good today. Without notes too!
Posted by: Daniel Vince-Archer | June 14, 2006 at 18:19
Minguselah was quite good today. Without notes too!
Over 25% voters are in Ming Campbell's age bracket. Does the New Cameron Party need to be quite so snide about them ?
Posted by: TomTom | June 15, 2006 at 08:29
"Over 25% voters are in Ming Campbell's age bracket. Does the New Cameron Party need to be quite so snide about them?"
I suspect they have a sense of humour. In any case, I make comments on behalf of myself, not the 'New Cameron Party'.
Posted by: Daniel Vince-Archer | June 15, 2006 at 08:42