"Bloody hell! Ming was brilliant on PMQs today. About time!"Well that's not quite how most people saw it. He tried a joke about Gordon Brown which was received in silence and he had to read out parts of his question. Contrast this with William Hague who was superb. Blair wasn't bad either. Ok, Ming was slightly better than last week, but that's not saying an awful lot. His leadership campaign has never caught fire and his supporters have been longing for him to sparkle, and where better to do it than PMQs? He's only got a couple more chances. I still feel that Chris Huhne has pulled ahead and could well pull off a shock win. As a Tory I'd prefer Simon Hughes to win, but that doesn't look very likely now. And he too asked an awful question today to which Blair was extremely condescending.
political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Ming Campbell & PMQs
Isn't it strange how you think you must have been watching a very different event to some people sometimes? I've just come across this on the oddly named LibDem supporting Quaequam Blog. Brace yourself.
I always thought Campbell had it pretty easy before the Kennedy thingmessianic. Going on TV and answering underarm questions about Iraq was probably never very taxing. He doesn't seem to be able to hack it at PMQs and his confidence appears to be withering with each passing week. Hague was brilliant though, was good to see him back jousting with Messianic Blair.
ReplyDeleteI always thought Campbell had it pretty easy before the Kennedy thing. Going on TV and answering underarm questions about Iraq was probably never very taxing. He doesn't seem to be able to hack it at PMQs and his confidence appears to be withering with each passing week. Hague was brilliant though, was good to see him back jousting with Messianic Blair.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting, because I've had similar feedback this evening, even from Campbell supporters.
ReplyDeleteWhat I would say is that I only listened to it on radio, and it sounded fine. Most people who have come up with negative comments say that it came across badly on TV. I'll happily defer to their better judgement.
I think that no one really shone in today's PMQ. Hague was witty but lacked any sting - it was simply laughs. You're right that Menzies' joke failed badly but his actual question was fine, drawing attention to the Labour Party going for a more visible but hollow move to try to prevent terrorism rather than a less visible but more practical measure.
ReplyDelete"I still feel that Chris Huhne has pulled ahead and could well pull off a shock win. As a Tory I'd prefer Simon Hughes to win..."
ReplyDeleteJust the endorsement Ming was looking for!
"Isn't it strange how you think you must have been watching a very different event to some people sometimes?"
ReplyDeleteIain, this is what I always think about your PMQ reviews!! Yes, Ming was effete (we've some to expect that). But Hague was not brilliant.
Yes he was very funny, yes he was witty and yes he wasn't mauled by Blair. But as Blair said, while the jokes were good, Hague's judgement was lacking. And that's the heart of the matter. When Hague is joking the PM can steal the high ground. And of course he referenced the 2001 election...
Blair 3, Hague 3, Campbell 1
But that is the entire point of Hague's greatness! He was witty, he did take the p*ss out of Blair, which we all like to hear, and of Prescott, which we all agree with.
ReplyDeletePMQ's was actually reflective of the better, good natured and banterous nature of politics... something which most pompous prats in all parties consistently fail to convey.
Iain
ReplyDeleteA serious question! You must despair at the increasing ineptness of Cameron? He seems to lack any political integrity as he lurches from one policy change to another. You know that I have a reasonably sharp political instinct - my judgement is that if then Conservatives had the chance to vote again your man would win hands down [politics aside - do you agree?]. I tuned into your blogg hoping to read about your views on the Scottish play in Dum...... - have I missed something. You should have sent Lady Finchley up there and ket boy David under wraps? Lady F has never publicly acknowledged that I bestowed the title on her [bless her!]
Robb
Iain, you should use your poll to get people to vote on the performance of the leaders at PMQ's every week.
ReplyDelete