Thursday
13Nov2008
Meltdown at PMQs
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 1:35PM
So yesterday there was a rather distasteful kafuffle at PMQ's over the political fallout over the sad story of Baby P.
I just said over at Justin’s that this is a case of shame on both their houses. But the more I think about it, the more I wonder…
Cameron must be getting pissed off with Brown’s constant and blunt refusal to answer a straight question. And it is the duty of the LOHMLO to hold the government to account. I can understand if Cameron becomes annoyed if the PM continues to belittle his questioning by his avoidance techniques, but then Cameron should have risen above the fray once it was clear Brown wasn’t going to retract the accusation of playing party politics.
Had he made his feelings clear and moved on, he would have been the Statesman to Brown’s partisan beast.
In truth Cameron probably did see capital in this line of question. It’s in his nature. Anyone who watches Cameron closely could say he is anything more than a political animal. He’s never convinced me of any hidden intellectual or ideological vigour. He’s a careerist and a prominently placed spin-doctor.
That said, Brown was a fool to challenge Cameron - as the questioning itself didn't provide clear political malice. It was a reasonable line of questioning (even if it was probably tinged with a deliberate intent to show Labour in a bad light - not that this is necessarily a bad thing, as Labour do have serious questions to answer).
Had he any real class though, Cameron would have called Brown on his slur, and moved on. We don’t pay Cameron to be overly sensitive.
For a brilliant analysis of a terrible day for Westminster, try Septicisle's article at LC. (update) I did start reading the comments on Iain's predictably hyperbolic outrage post, but really many of these people are so partisan and reactionary, it's a waste of my time. I think Iain is a very talented writer and I can't say I dislike the guy, but his penchant for exaggerated outrage is tiresome. I really wish he could return to his more independent musing.
Neither of two party leaders excelled yesterday.
I just said over at Justin’s that this is a case of shame on both their houses. But the more I think about it, the more I wonder…
Cameron must be getting pissed off with Brown’s constant and blunt refusal to answer a straight question. And it is the duty of the LOHMLO to hold the government to account. I can understand if Cameron becomes annoyed if the PM continues to belittle his questioning by his avoidance techniques, but then Cameron should have risen above the fray once it was clear Brown wasn’t going to retract the accusation of playing party politics.
Had he made his feelings clear and moved on, he would have been the Statesman to Brown’s partisan beast.
In truth Cameron probably did see capital in this line of question. It’s in his nature. Anyone who watches Cameron closely could say he is anything more than a political animal. He’s never convinced me of any hidden intellectual or ideological vigour. He’s a careerist and a prominently placed spin-doctor.
That said, Brown was a fool to challenge Cameron - as the questioning itself didn't provide clear political malice. It was a reasonable line of questioning (even if it was probably tinged with a deliberate intent to show Labour in a bad light - not that this is necessarily a bad thing, as Labour do have serious questions to answer).
Had he any real class though, Cameron would have called Brown on his slur, and moved on. We don’t pay Cameron to be overly sensitive.
For a brilliant analysis of a terrible day for Westminster, try Septicisle's article at LC. (update) I did start reading the comments on Iain's predictably hyperbolic outrage post, but really many of these people are so partisan and reactionary, it's a waste of my time. I think Iain is a very talented writer and I can't say I dislike the guy, but his penchant for exaggerated outrage is tiresome. I really wish he could return to his more independent musing.
Neither of two party leaders excelled yesterday.
Reader Comments (1)
Brown acts with total disdain.