PMQ -- Honeymoon is over for Cameron

The PMQ honeymoon for David Cameron seemed to come to an end this week, with Tony Blair brushing aside a series of questions designed to highlight differences with the Chancellor.
Cameron picked a rather small canvas to draw on. Gordon Brown's shock announcement about the timing of a decision on renewing the Trident nuclear missiles may have angered some in the Labour party, but as the PM pointed out, it was all in the manifesto.
Blair backed his Chancellor, saying he also supported a replacement, that the House would be "consulted fully" and refused to be drawn on whether there should be a vote.
The Tory leader used up four questions on this issue of a vote for MPs, trying - and failing - to highlight disagreements between No10 and No11. Blair stuck to his guns, stating that the means of consultation would be announced in due course.
Cameron tried to raise a laugh by describing the PM as the "David Brent of Downing St, hanging round the office with nothing to do."
This was a tactical mistake - Blair looked energised and ready for a fight. He 'called out' Cameron over his new policy on a Bill of Rights - finally the Tories had a policy - why did they not want to discuss that? The PM quoted Ken Clarke's comment that Cameron's new policy was "xenophobic nonsense".
Blair was "happy to have a policy debate" - he was clearly enjoying himself and the Tories for once looked discomfited. Cameron declined to ask a fifth question - Blair 1, Cameron 0.
The nuclear issue was raised again by veteran dissident Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn - he wanted to know how we could comply with the 1970 non-proliferation treaty and renew Trident. In a nostalgic blast of Old Labour rhetoric, Corbyn demanded we start disarmament now. The PM did not agree.
Towards the end of the session, Tory new boy James Duddridge, in a show of petulant questioning worthy of Kevin the teenager, wanted to know what part of "will we get a vote on Trident" did the PM not understand. Not quite sure what sort of a substantive answer Duddridge thought he would get, The PM assured him he understood the question and the proceeded not to answer it.
Ming Campbell asked a well-phrased set of questions about the hostage drama in Gaza. The LibDems often talk about Ming's gravitas, and in another confident performance he got the House to listen and the PM gave a full answer.
The other theme of this PMQ was backbench Labour attempts to smear the Tories. Gwyn Prosser wanted to know why the Tory council in Kent was closing 9 primary schools. Paul Farrelly wanted to know the PM's views on a LD/Tory alliance in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Ann Keen raised the new alliance that Hounslow Tories have made with a former National Front organiser. Adrian Bailey almost got one in about an alliance between Tories and the BNP in Tipton, but the Speaker wasn't having it.
David Cameron used up his final two questions on a bascially meaningless exchange about the World Trade Organisation talks. Will they be resolved? Who knows? Who cares? He did not mention Charles Clarke at all - another odd tactical position.
Blair had an easy ride. The various Tory attack questions failed to hit any targets. He even had a bit of fun with Alex Salmond, the leader of the SNP. Salmond wanted to know when the Act of Settlement, which discriminates against Catholics, would be repealed.
It doesn't matter what Salmond asks - he could ask the PM if he is partial to cream buns - the answer is always the same. You support Scottish independence which would be a disaster for Scotland. It must be comforting for the PM to know that with one MP not matter what the question, the answer is always the same.

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