Paralysis in the Government of the living dead

After joining Tony Blair in paying tributes to Lord Weatherill, Cameron again attacked Blair over the Home Office split. He quoted Charles Clarke who said splitting the Home Office was a "completely batty idea that would damage national security", and asked why John Reid wasn't hanging around to see the changes through if they were so good.

Brown was present for once, and didn't look impressed when Cameron said "Thank God he's come out of his blacked up limo and come into the Commons.". Blair made a lot of hay out of yesterday's speech by Letwin, mocking its language and picking out the line "it all goes back to Marx"... to which he joyfully retorted: "that's Groucho I assume".

Using all of his questions in one go, Cameron shifted his attack to the "paralysis" and instability of a Government whose senior ministers are due to resign at crucial times in their briefs. He finished off with the best soundbite of the day, "the government of the living dead", as Conservative MPs literally waved goodbye to Blair at the end of Cameron's questions (although he'll still be around for several weeks).

<paragraph about Menzies Campbell deleted for being too boring>

Other notable questions included Sir Peter Tapsell asking a typically pointless but funny question  that referenced both Walter Mitty and King James II. Brian Binley angrily said Blair had failed on crime and the causes of crime, and Daniel Kawczynski got a big laugh for a loud solo cheer to a question about Shropshire.

Deputy Editor

Comments

[Yet Another Anon]

He quoted Charles Clarke who said splitting the Home Office was a "completely batty idea that would damage national security"
Charles Clarke though has not really shown sound judgement, he was fired because he failed to got on top of his brief and since has been coming out with bizarre statements on all kinds of things indicating quite frankly that he is batty!

It is time to scrap things such as the positions of Scottish Secretary, Welsh Secretary and Northern Ireland Secretary; A Ministry of National Security with a National Security Supremo and cabinet ministers under him for Justice, Immigration & Nationality and Defence & Foreign Affairs.

[Jaz]

Cameron on top form today. I've seen very few comebacks against Tony Blair but today perhaps one of the best since Hague.

[Andrew Woodman]

Blair's Marx joke looked a little too pre planned. I think Cameron had him all ends up today. Very good performance.

I think another nail was banging into Ming's coffin today. He just can't do the Commons.

[simon]

Ming is the 'Mr Grace' of the LibbyDems! I was in hysterics when he was meeting some of his 'Party faithfull' down south when he said 'didn't we do well!!!'

[James Burdett]

Being at work today and not being able to see the whole of PMQ's I have to say that the soundbite plugs that are on the news broadcasts are playing extremely well. The entire office loved the 'living dead' soundbite.

[Umbrella man]

I loved the way in which the Tory and Labour benches cheer Ming when he gets up to speak. Oh so cruel.

[chrisblore]

A very pleasing effort from Dave Cameron in the Commons today. Blair was beaten all ends up, especially as I think everyone is finally seeing straight through his tactic of blaming or comparing everything to the situation under the previous Tory government. He was left without ideas and with nowhere to hide today.

On another note, good to see Cameron already laying into Brown before he's even entered Number 10. He didn't look especially impressed with Cameron's blacked out limo jibe!

[Mark Fulford]

He [Ming] just can't do the Commons.

Sadly for him, that's not all he can't do.

[Matt Davis]

I thought Cameron was excellent at today's PMQs, more of that please on a regular basis! I also think that whoever at CCHQ came up with the brilliant "living dead" line should be immediately promoted.

[Curly]

Excellent performance from DC today, he really put Blair in the picture!