I note the poll has changed this week from who performed best to who looks more prime ministerial. Is this because it is more easy for Cameron to look prime ministerial because he is, er, PM? Anyhow it doesn't appear to have paid dividends this week!
Yes, I think the "brewery" line would have been better if it had come from a back bencher but Ed clearly thought it was such a good joke that he wanted to use it himself - unfortunately he had nothing to back it up with and Labour don't have a settled policy on alcohol pricing either.
The brewery joke was in the wrong place. If it were me. I'd use the brewery line in the sixth question and finish on a high. Using it at the start means he started well but went out with a whimper. Cameron was constant. He started poorly and didn't get any better or worse.
I've seen Cameron more rattled, but never seen him so far out at sea.
He's losing or lost the support of the party. The budget is when it kicks off (or doesn't) if it doesn't appease the backbenches. There's a chance he'll be out after the next election. I'll be suicidal to replace him before.
The labour party isn't immune either. Ed still hasn't done anything about Ed Balls. Who is the dangerous combination of being toxic, ambitious, and unsackable. Ed's position is in no way secure. But while the focus is on Cameron's job security, Ed becomes more secure by default.
He's losing or lost the support of the party. The budget is when it kicks off (or doesn't) if it doesn't appease the backbenches. There's a chance he'll be out after the next election. I'll be suicidal to replace him before.
The labour party isn't immune either. Ed still hasn't done anything about Ed Balls. Who is the dangerous combination of being toxic, ambitious, and unsackable. Ed's position is in no way secure. But while the focus is on Cameron's job security, Ed becomes more secure by default.
If the budget is as bad as last year Dave could be toast. Last budget cost Tories about 10% in polls which hasn't been recovered. But I dont think it could possibly be that bad!
IMO Milliband is secure because it's harder to dump a Labour leader, Labour poll ratings are ok and he does have backbench support.
I agree Balls is a liability and IMO Darling should replace him. I think Darling could replace Balls without any loss of face and Balls could take a Letwin type job.
I agree Balls is a liability and IMO Darling should replace him. I think Darling could replace Balls without any loss of face and Balls could take a Letwin type job.
I think he's too ambitious for that. He seems totally oblivious to how toxic he is. One of the few good points Cameron made today was when he said he wanted Balls to remain in his job. Labour can't win any economic question with Balls.
The best course of action, if I were Ed, would be to leave him in place. Then not support him at the general election in the hope he gets unseated. He was very nearly unseated last time. Only when he stopped touring the country and showed his face in his constituancy, did the local party go to work. Even then it was the eleventh hour. If Ed sends him on a grand tour and get him doing some embarrassing speeches.
Ed can be rid of him bloodlessly
Mike Thornton, MP for Eastleigh, staggered to his feet when called by the Speaker and addressed his question to the PM in a rambling and unsteady manner that looked like he'd just polished off 15 pints of Tennent's Super Strength.
Mike Thornton, MP for Eastleigh, staggered to his feet when called by the Speaker and addressed his question to the PM in a rambling and unsteady manner that looked like he'd just polished off 15 pints of Tennent's Super Strength.
Is it just me or does the guy look like he's completely devoid of any gravitas. He'll vote how and when he's told...definitely Clegg's poodle.
Comments
Yes, it's lame when Ed does it and just as bad from Cameron. On balance, Ed does have the slightly better joke writer, not that it means much.
Nanny state interference
Did you notice who he was up against? A lunatic Conservative woman and a celeb Labour placeman.
The brewery joke was in the wrong place. If it were me. I'd use the brewery line in the sixth question and finish on a high. Using it at the start means he started well but went out with a whimper. Cameron was constant. He started poorly and didn't get any better or worse.
I would have thought that an explanation was unnecessary
Theresa wasnt on the front bench
The 16+ votes that Miliband gets today in reality go to the first joke writer not the first joke deliverer.
Best question ever from Ed #PMQs
Paul Waugh @paulwaugh (Editor-in-Chief of PoliticsHome)
Zing! That's got to be Miliband's best opener at #PMQs since he took the job.
Were you referring to a questioner at PMQ? Which one?
Bit of a desperate scenario to argue don't you think?
Perhaps all couples should have a spare room - just in case their relationship goes t!ts
He's losing or lost the support of the party. The budget is when it kicks off (or doesn't) if it doesn't appease the backbenches. There's a chance he'll be out after the next election. I'll be suicidal to replace him before.
The labour party isn't immune either. Ed still hasn't done anything about Ed Balls. Who is the dangerous combination of being toxic, ambitious, and unsackable. Ed's position is in no way secure. But while the focus is on Cameron's job security, Ed becomes more secure by default.
I agree with Rafer, it should most definitely have been saved for question number six.
If the budget is as bad as last year Dave could be toast. Last budget cost Tories about 10% in polls which hasn't been recovered. But I dont think it could possibly be that bad!
IMO Milliband is secure because it's harder to dump a Labour leader, Labour poll ratings are ok and he does have backbench support.
I agree Balls is a liability and IMO Darling should replace him. I think Darling could replace Balls without any loss of face and Balls could take a Letwin type job.
You've still not said what you mean heiker?
I think he's too ambitious for that. He seems totally oblivious to how toxic he is. One of the few good points Cameron made today was when he said he wanted Balls to remain in his job. Labour can't win any economic question with Balls.
The best course of action, if I were Ed, would be to leave him in place. Then not support him at the general election in the hope he gets unseated. He was very nearly unseated last time. Only when he stopped touring the country and showed his face in his constituancy, did the local party go to work. Even then it was the eleventh hour. If Ed sends him on a grand tour and get him doing some embarrassing speeches.
Ed can be rid of him bloodlessly
Mike Thornton, MP for Eastleigh, staggered to his feet when called by the Speaker and addressed his question to the PM in a rambling and unsteady manner that looked like he'd just polished off 15 pints of Tennent's Super Strength.
To watch online http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2013/march/prime-ministers-questions-13-march-2013/
Next week tis the Budget Special - alive in the politics section of digital spy.
Is it just me or does the guy look like he's completely devoid of any gravitas. He'll vote how and when he's told...definitely Clegg's poodle.