PMQs - Bipartisan boredom

A expected, PMQs was a dull, bipartisan affair.

Both Cameron and Clegg slavishly supported Brown meaning he received no serious questioning about the government's financial rescue package. The key question that should have been asked, but wasn't, was how is the government funding its multi-billion pound bail-out. The answer is probably yet more government borrowing but the two opposition parties did not hold the government to account on this vital issue just because they wanted to keep up the pretence of bipartisan support.

Cameron was particularly poor today. He seemed to be asking questions that had been fed to him beforehand by the Prime Minister. After almost every question from Dave, Brown would respond by saying he was grateful for the question.

Message to Dave: Gordon Brown should not be grateful for your questions!

Cameron also tried to sound all left-wing and populist by attacking the bonus culture in the City. This got him many jeers from the Labour benches and a put-down from the PM who reminded the House of Cameron's claim to Andrew Marr that he wouldn't use "cheap jibes" which would undermine cooperation and the markets. Brown ruined the bipartisan unity a bit right at the end but he didn't care because Cameron had no more questions to respond and he was being cheered by his Labour MPs who were very happy with his robust performance (for a change!). Labour seems to be quite enjoying this financial crisis - it has put their man back in the game.

Clegg did a better job. He offered his full support to Brown but began with a nice Titanic joke. He said that when the ship was sinking you do not argue about who has steered it into an iceberg. This was better than Cameron because the clear implication was that Captain Brown has got us into this mess but still allowed Clegg to look bipartisan.

However, there is a flaw in the 'united' approach taken by the Tories and Lib Dems. They seem to think that by not opposing Brown's plan in any way, they 1) Look good - the public likes politicians working together for the good of the country; and 2) If the plan goes belly up in the months to come everybody will attack Brown - after all, it is his plan.

But i've got news for Cameron and Clegg - you'll be blamed too because you have tied your colours to Brown's mast. Your support now means you have foregone your right to criticise in the future without looking ridiculous.

RATINGS:

Brown - 7; Clegg - 7; Cameron - 5