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PMQs - The verdict
Richard Parsons
It was more relatively entertaining knock-about politics in the latest session of prime minister's questions.
David Cameron sought to cause as much trouble as possible for the prime minister among Labour MPs.
And the first sign was that he had succeeded.
Meanwhile Sir Menzies Campbell - in what could be his last appearance at prime minister's questions if the bookies are a reliable guide - returned to familiar ground with questions on relations with the US.
Cameron had begun the exchanges by thanking the prime minister and his chancellor for the flowers both had sent following the birth of his child.
Blair, in a tortured sentence that thanked Cameron for his thanks, said he hoped the chancellor would not be so generous to the Conservative leader come the Budget.
Turning to the serious business, following Tuesday's publication of the Education and Inspection Bill, the Tory chief sought to emphasise the reforms that most annoy Labour backbenchers.
He asked whether trust schools would still be created, and whether the education secretary would retain the right to veto any council bids to build new schools.
Blair said the reforms would be implemented and would increase school freedoms.
Cameron added that there was no need "to make any further concessions to the rebels".
The prime minister agreed, but was later pressed by Labour MP David Taylor on the politics of the education reforms.
He said that with Labour concerns about the proposals and Conservative support, it was "politics scripted by Lewis Carroll".
Blair, however, said he was taking action to improve standards "so that every single child no matter what their background, no matter what their class gets the best start in life".
"And I actually think these are good Labour principles," he said.
Cameron yesterday launched his own statement of Tory principles in an attempt to secure his own 'Clause IV moment'.
If he can vote in favour of the prime minister's principles, perhaps he should take his search a touch more literally and sign up to New Labour's constitution.
The acting Liberal Democrat leader again ducked questions on domestic issues, quizzing the prime minister on the failure of the US to close Guantanamo Bay and the unfairness of extradition arrangements between Britain and America.
The extradition arrangements were a theme also taken up by Conservative MP Andrew Mackay, who also hit at its inequalities.
Blair, however, insisted that critics should spend more time thinking about the terrorist threat and less time attacking America's response to 9/11.
Michael Martin, whose place in the Speaker's chair was filled by Sir Alan Hazelhurst, was also wished a speedy recovery from his heart operation by all sides of the House.
The Verdict
Tony Blair: 6/10 - Stood his ground but still faces a high wire act on education.
David Cameron: 6/10 - Stirred up trouble for the prime minister, with some success.
Sir Menzies Campbell: 5/10 - Solid points and no mistakes, but not a star performance by any means.
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Published: Wed, 1 Mar 2006 13:12:34 GMT+00
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