PMQs: Blood on the tracks for Miliband
The first PMQs of the new year did little to help the embattled Labour leader writes our UK Political Editor Harry Cole
The most dangerous time for any political figure is when they cross a line and suddenly the public and even the media begin to feel sorry for them. Thankfully, even after his dire relaunch yesterday, we are not yet at that stage with Ed Miliband.
The farcical comedy period of the Leader of the Opposition’s tenure is still ongoing. There was a lot of speculation that Cameron would go easy on his beleaguered opponent today, and Labour insiders stressed the need for a win in order to quell the growing movement against the Labour leader.
Opening in the comfort zone of train-fares it was if the Prime Minister could barely be bothered, answering Ed’s first question about why companies put their fares up so much this year, with barely more than a few words:
"The power to do that was given by the last Labour government."
The quick flash caught Ed off his guard and left him stuttering Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker. It wasn’t a great start, and true to form Ed claimed the Prime Minister was “wro-ang”
The Prime Minister seemed confident of his facts: "I know the Labour leader had a difficult start to the year. But I am afraid he is wrong." If this was Cameron pulling his punches, then what would a full assault have looked like?
Miliband’s voice always gives away any inner turmoil, by the end of this third question it had dropped, and he was left just repeating himself and declaring the PM ‘wrong, wrong’.
In a beautiful irony, not long into the lunch break that followed the battle, the Campaign for Better Transport and transport experts declared that it was in fact Mr Miliband who was wrong. The only reason fares were able to rise at such a rapid rate was due to legislation put down by the last government. The cap on fare rises that they put on was only for one year, incidentally an election year, but that detail was conveniently forgotten by Miliband and his post-match spinners.
Hardly what you could describe as a competent performance on an issue that Labour should have sewn up. In splitting his questions, Ed had time to compose himself with lots of deep breaths before round two. He bought himself some slack by playing the statesman card, and uniting with the Prime Minister in order to save the union et cetera. Though it must be said that if this was really about Scotland’s rather cheap political posturing, then why didn’t he ask the questions on the subject first?
Cameron’s “neverendum” line was dire but it was too late by then for it to matter.
Other notable highlights included some planted questions from the floor about energy bills. Labour’s idea to force providers to automatically put old people on lowest tariff is a good one, but why didn't Ed do it while he was Secretary of State for Energy.
The Tories were openly cheering and jeering in comedic fashion. Ed is a laughing stock. Wounding for a leader and all roads lead to the lethal sympathy zone eventually. A grim look on the faces of Harman and Cooper, flanking their leader, said it all.
The heat was taken out of the exchanges by the split tactic, but Ed badly needed a win today. He did not get it.
Harry Cole is the UK Political Editor for The Commentator and the News Editor for the Guido Fawkes Blog. He tweets at @MrHarryCole
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Unless you're being sarcastic BBITGUE, then I'm stumped (no pun intended). Milibland was in the deep end without his arm bands once again today.
Ed is a statesman of legendary status just as Billy says.
pssst ... D.U.E.M.A.
Our dear leader Ed knows no fear of Tory attack dogs.
Ed's life experience, his insight into the struggles of everyday folk, his knowledge of capitalism, his Zen like calmness, his massive intellect and unsapable inner strength are an inspiration to all modern progressive socialists.
We are correct in our mission to destroy Tory led little England thinking - and Ed is the leader who will take us into a new enlightened era of harmony and progressive statism, with the UK joining our progressive partners in the EU in a glorious future for all.
We love the dear leader and will happily not wear hats and gloves when the dreadful day comes at his funeral when he is called to the great collective in the sky.
Long live Ed! Traitors be damned!
D.U.E.M.A
Very...strong...and...assured...performance...from...@Ed_Miliband...at...PMQs...to...day
(Is that what you wanted me to say DUEMAmeister? Did I get it right?)
Oh, dear - the trolls are out in force here, today....... they're flogging a dead horse, of course.
A sorry sight indeed! The man is clearly not up to running the proverbial whelk stall. Talking of them, there is a fantastic whelk and prawn stall on the beach at Leigh On Sea. Its the only good reason I can think of for travelling east, north of the great river. A pint of fresh cooked prawns knocks both Milibands into a cooked hat!
Clearly Libertad and Barking are not signed up to the DUEMA campaign!
No-one should underestimate the unseen powers of persuasion the great red leader is holding back to release at a time of his choosing.
You know I think D.U.E.M.A. may not be a silly, funny, short term joke. It seems to hit the spot and "may grow legs".
Let's all hope so!
I can't understand why people snipe at Milliband. He's the most intelligent, articulate and admired political leader of his generation. That's why he's Labour leader.
Not.
Ahhhhh. My sensory organs betrayed me! On closer inspection, miliband was a political behemoth today; a statesman of inspiring stature. Where oh where would his party be without him? By my reckoning, even David has come round to accept the opinion that his selection was the only choice. DUEMA!
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Typical!
Ed Miliband cleary won by a mile, he had Cameron knocked out on the floor.
Sorry Harry, think you called this wrong.