Analysis – PMQs

Brown and Cameron go head-to-head in PMQs

Wednesday, 19, Mar 2008 12:00

Gordon Brown faced MPs for his weekly Commons sparring match with Labour's poll rating slumped at a 24-year low.

Despite leading over Labour with a 13-point advantage, the Conservatives have been accused of failing to fully capitalise on Labour's recent difficulties.

David Cameron chose to use the majority of his six questions to attack the prime minister over his so-called dithering, producing a series of questions Mr Brown has allegedly "completely failed to answer" in recent PMQs.

He challenged the prime minister to confirm whether MPs will be given a free vote on the human fertilisation and embryology bill.

For Mr Brown, this is already shaping up to be one of the most controversial pieces of legislation this parliament after plans to extend detention without charge.

At least three members of his Cabinet are Catholic and deeply opposed to many of its reforms – which include human-animal hybrid embryos and measures to make it easier for lesbians and single women to undergo IVF - and his transport secretary is reportedly prepared to resign rather than vote against her conscience.

Labour whips are apparently seeking a compromise that will allow MPs to abstain from controversial sections, rather than a full-blown free vote or three-line whip with the accompanying risk of a rebellion and resignations.

Mr Brown said everyone in the Commons would have the right to exercise their conscience on the "very important bill".

The prime minister was also put under pressure to confirm the government's policy on A-levels. He has previously indicated they will be absorbed into the diploma system after 2013 but Mr Cameron has appeared keen for Mr Brown to explicitly state this potentially unpopular decision.

Mr Brown told MPs A-levels would not be scrapped if they were successful and guaranteed them until the review in 2013.

Throughout the exchange, Mr Cameron refused to accept any of the prime minister's responses amounted to a thorough answer, painting Mr Brown as incapable of making a decision or giving a straight answer.

"If he cannot make a decision about this no wonder the country is in such a mess," Mr Cameron said.

"If the prime minister cannot make a decision, if he cannot run his office, why [shouldn’t] anyone wonder if he cannot run the country," Mr Cameron added in a seemingly pre-prepared line.

In return, Mr Brown's stock approach to the Tory leader is to portray him as lacking in policy. As such he has taken to questioning Mr Cameron on specific issues, a practice the speaker has so far allowed to the chagrin of many Tory MPs.

Mr Cameron today wrong-footed him on this approach, however, telling Mr Brown that if he wants to ask him questions he should "call an election and you can ask six a week".

No longer able to reel off his list of economic achievements, Mr Brown has now taken to proclaiming to be "getting on with the business of government" when under attack.

Today he accused the opposition of "playing at politics", in contrast to the government "dealing with the substance of issues".

After Mr Cameron spent PMQs revisiting past questions, Mr Brown criticised the Tory leader for ignoring the global economy – arguing this was because the Conservatives do not have any policies or solutions.

This week saw Mr Cameron drop his focus on internal Westminster issues – although Mr Brown faced one question on party donations – but he instead drew attention to the strategic changes at No. 10.

Mr Brown has been credited with finally dropping his old team from the Treasury and bringing in new talent, headed by strategy chief Stephen Carter.

But Mr Cameron's reference to the prime minister's "new spindoctor" disputed his previous claim to be breaking from the spin associated with Tony Blair's government.

Mr Cameron said there were now "so many spin doctors they are spinning against each other and leaving in floods of tears," in a reference to the departure of Spencer Livermore.

The prime minister also used a question on affordable housing in London to attack the Conservatives candidate for London mayor.

This was one of several occasions in recent weeks that Mr Brown has been moved to attack Boris Johnson in PMQs, in an increasing sign he is seen as a serious risk to Ken Livingstone's re-election.