Pagefield PMQs, 17th June 2015

Wednesday 17th June

Fresh into his new role as First Secretary of State, it was a PMQs debut for George Osborne in the absence of David Cameron. Here’s our take…

 

Who won?

Osborne, but there was little ‘victory’ to be had.

Osborne handled PMQs with characteristic aplomb and dignity and, one Bennite jibe aside, was notably more diligent in answering the actual questions rather than reverting to political point-scoring.

 

Best Question?

Angus Robertson: “Is it true that the Chilcott report has been delayed until next year?”

Osborne was, to an extent, able to deflect this by pointing out that the enquiry was independent but this was an important question on an issue of significant public interest (and the fact the Prime Minister had just issues a letter on it). Robertson’s decision to focus on this issue is a further attempt to show the public that the SNP is pursuing a broad agenda as opposed to a strict focus on Scottish issues as many in the media had expected.

 

Best joke/quote of the week

Osborne welcoming Hillary Benn in his first appearance at PMQs: “We are extremely relieved to see that there is no Benn in the leadership contest but plenty of Bennites.”

A thinly veiled reference to the Tories’ pleasure that the Labour leadership and Deputy Leadership contests contain so many left-wing candidates.

 

Issue of the week

ISIS and foreign policy.

Unsurprisingly, considering he is Shadow Foreign Secretary, Benn used all six of Labour’s questions to probe Osborne on the Government’s response to British citizens joining terrorist organisations, changes to the de-radicalisation agenda and the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean. This inevitably meant that the exchange was more sedate than the usual Punch & Judy style but Benn was able to demonstrate a detailed understanding of foreign policy and make a series of valuable points.

 

Rowdiest party

A refreshingly quiet chamber today due to the nature of Labour’s questions, with only the occasional outburst from the backbenchers.

 

Corporate name-checks

Crossrail – a self-congratulatory question from the Tory backbench on the completion of the Crossrail tunnel.

 

One to Watch

Richard Harrington, Conservative MP for Watford.

Cameron’s newly appointed advisor on apprenticeships looks set to be exerting pressure on large businesses to develop their apprenticeship schemes.

 

Bercow Bingo

1

Bercow only delivered one intervention advising rowdy members to calm down: “”All that hot curry is getting to you.. a bit of yoga will help”.

 

Sum it up in 140 characters

#PMQs verdict: slow and steady wins the race at double debutante, statesman-like debate. Osbornites cheered by George’s first outing.

Related News & Insight