Serious debate returns to PMQs

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

I’ve just watched a much more grown up Prime Minister’s Questions than we’ve become accostomed to of late. Although there were a few petty potshots fired between the PM and David Cameron, it was all relatively civil and the session dealt with some serious issues, including apprenticeships.

Nick Clegg performed well, in particular, and was afforded more respect by the government and opposition benches than he was before Christmas. Perhaps that’s an indication of how much more seriously the main parties are taking the Liberal Democrats in the light of the possibility of a Hung Parliament after the election, or perhaps it’s a sign that Clegg, who will feature on a level playing field with with Gordon Brown and David Cameron in April’s TV debates, is growing in confidence.

LabourList is just getting back into the swing of things after the half-break over Christmas — the PMQs LiveChat will return next week.