PMQs verdict – Cameron isn’t working

Ed Miliband has sometimes been something of a slow starter at PMQs. The usual pattern involves him giving a lacklustre first performance of the parliamentary term, followed by a return to for in subsequent weeks.

If Miliband goes up a gear next week, then Cameron should be very concerned – because today was a clear win for Ed.

That’s not to say that Miliband was spectacular today. He wasn’t. But he was methodical, robust and tough on Cameron, and on the biggest issue of the day (and indeed the year) – the economy – he had Cameron looking distinctly ropey.

It was right for Ed to focus on the unemployment and growth, rather than becoming embroiled in the messy and unpleasant innuendo that surrounds Liam Fox. That’s not to say that Fox has nothing to answer for – it’s fairly clear that hasn’t behaved in a conventional manner – but the personal smears against him aren’t something an aspiring PM should become involved in. That said, surely Cameron was anticipating something on Fox and Werrity. When it did come – from Labour backbenchers – it was slapped down tetchily and tersely. The PM does not want to discuss the matter. Whatever the matter is…

Cameron has had a changeover in his staff for PMQs prep this week, although it hasn’t had any discernible impact upon his style. Whenever he’s put in trouble – as he was over the economy and unemployment today – he falls back upon lists. And lists of lists. He reels through these lists with all the vigour of a tired accountant on a Friday afternoon. Presumably the job of working fir David Cameron probably involves producing these lists. Copious lists. Lists for every occasion.

But there’s one problem with the lists. They make him sound tired and beaten. They make him sound defensive. They’re intended to close down debate. They make him sound like Gordon Brown.

The moment where Cameron seemed most uncomfortable today was when he was forced to make the embarrassing admission that only 7000 companies have taken up the governments national insurance holiday. He squirmed as he mumbled the figure, before blustering into an attack on Labour. Plus ca change. Yet he also said today that he accepts responsibility for everything that happens in the economy.

Perhaps next week it might be time to drop the lists and the jibes, and start taking responsibility for the direction of the economy. Cameron’s plans aren’t working. And neither are his excuses.