The first PMQs since it was confirmed that Gordon Brown would be elected unopposed was a subdued affair, perhaps recognising the pointlessness of asking questions to a Prime Minister who won't be there in two months time. At least the man who will have the power, Gordon Brown, turned up this time.
David Cameron's first subject: David Cameron took advantage of the long handover of power from Tony Blair to Gordon Brown by asking the "Prime Minister if he would advise the next Prime Minister" to reverse planned closures of maternity units. Tony Blair declined to do so. David Cameron then asked about the planned closure of accident and emergency units, again asking him what he would advise his successor to do. The Prime Minister again did not answer.
David Cameron's second subject: David Cameron challenged Tony Blair on the last minute postponement of HIPS. Comparing the different answers on issues of substance given by Ruth Kelly and Yvette Cooper this week and last week David Cameron asked the Prime Minister if he would advise Gordon Brown to retain them. When Tony Blair insisted nothing was wrong Cameron said that "the walls of the bunker must be pretty thick".
Ming moment of the day: Ming Campbell asked the Prime Minister why he didn't seek a mandate for building new nuclear power stations in his 1997, 2001 and 2005 manifestos and why more money was not being invested in renewable energy.
Backbench question of the day: Simon Burns asked the Prime Minister about the link between dyslexia and crime. He said that a pilot project in Chelmsford Prison help was available to help prisoners with dyslexia but once they were outside no help was available.
Line of the day: Gordon Prentice got the biggest laugh when he asked Tony Blair about "out mutual friend the Chancellor"
Andrew Burkinshaw
Is that more nose-picking going on?
Posted by: Mark Fulford | May 23, 2007 at 13:42
Simon Burns sensible statesman like question is not the first time he as impressed me in the House. Its about time people of his caliber were given frontbench jobs.
Posted by: Jack Stone | May 23, 2007 at 14:16
Simon Burns is sadly one of the 'disreputable 18' Tory MPs who voted for David Maclean's FOI bill.
Posted by: malcolm | May 23, 2007 at 14:37
PMQs is pointless until Browns coronation. Cameron should refuse to do PMQs until the real Prime Minister appears. Alternatively give Osborne the chance of doing PMQs since it should be the Chancellor doing PMQs...
Posted by: James Maskell | May 23, 2007 at 14:45
Pity DC didn't ask Tony about the jets he's dumped on the Prime Minister elect, strange way for a "leaver" to behave.
Posted by: Curly | May 23, 2007 at 14:56
For God's sake, Curly, will you give up on the self-promotional hijacking of other people's blogs? It's very tedious and whilst I used to read your blog occasionally, now I no longer bother because of this annoying tactic.
Posted by: Nick | May 23, 2007 at 15:05
I'm fairly relaxed about people plugging links if they're making relevant comments.
Posted by: Deputy Editor | May 23, 2007 at 15:48
I don't know if Brown was blatantly picking his nose again this time but clearly our highly agitated PM in waiting has great difficulty keeping his hand away from his face.
French TV has already shown the famous Brown nose picking and eating clip at least twice at peak viewing to much mirth from studio guests. They even have a rather disgusting name for him which I won't repeat here.
All quite embarrassing for us expat Brits, even the many Tories amongst us.
Posted by: zola fan | May 23, 2007 at 16:47
I thought Blair is starting to look like a Ronald Searle cartoon when he "answers" Cameron. Real LOL stuff. You can almost see the frantic beads of sweat spraying out around his head.And the even more frantic grabbing at his crib sheets is a joy to watch. DC really good today.
Posted by: Annabel Herriott | May 23, 2007 at 18:02
And if you dont go for Searle, how about a Sptting Image puppet, when then makers have gone into over drive, as they did with Maggie in her last days. Pity they arnt still on the Box.
Posted by: Annabel Herriott | May 23, 2007 at 18:04
I watched it just now and went away with the lasting impression that Blair scored a body blow with his points about grammar schools. DC did look sheepish and a brief flash to an embarrased Willetts, as he should be.
All the good material about HIPS and Judges squandered by a PR ballsup.
Let us hope that DC acts to ensure that this never happens again.
Posted by: HF | May 23, 2007 at 19:29
One thing that was notable today were the quieter backbenches on the Conservative side. Blair also reeled off virtually no statistics, an annoying habit of his.
Posted by: Sasha | May 23, 2007 at 22:51