PMQs liveblog – October 20th

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

12.32: A now for the main event – join us for our livechat of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

12.30: A much more comfortable and confident performance from Cameron today after last week’s poor showing. Ed Miliband was more hesitant today, and needs to balance the calm and measured tone he used last week with the aggressive atmosphere in the hosue which can often shout him down. Ed seemed to be playing the long game though, trying to get Cameron to comment on the cuts to come. Considering that’s what all of tonight’s coverage will be about, that’s probably a smart move.

12.26: Stephen Twigg was far down the roder paper today, but he makes an impassioned plea on behalf of relatives of those who die abroad. Cameron deals with the question well – although without a concrete answer.

12.23: This is like North East PMQs this week. Another question on businesses in the North East. Cameron says that the North East has a future in Green energy.

12.21: Another strong advocate for the North East questions the PM, as Dave Anderson of Blaydon accuses Cameron of making ideological cuts. Cameron says the cuts are being made because they have to…

12.19: Short, sweet and excellent question from Tom Watson on ministers investing in tax-havens. Unfortunately Cameron ignores it.

12.17: Here’s something you won’t hear every day, as the speaker cries “I want to hear the Prime Minister’s views on Chairman Mao” in response to a daft question from the Tory back benches. In response Cameron chooses to try and patronise Labour again – claiming the party is between China and Cuba. It’s an arrogant response, but his confidence is back.

12.15: Cameron is given an opportunity to defend the First Past The Post system. Danny Alexander is completely impassive behind him.

12.13: The fight has gone out of this PMQs a little now. As Shamik Das has said, this is the calm before the storm.

12.11: Chi Onwurah asks Cameron how cutting science spending is a strategy for growth. She’s a strong defender of her constituency and the North-East, and as an engineer she knows what she’s talking about – but Cameron claims science has had a good outcome. Unconvincing stuff from Cameron, but he still looks comfortable.

12.10: Ed criticises Cameron as being an old-fashioned Tory, and says he’s taking the biggest gamble of a generation. Ed’s choice to open with some old Tory catchphrases means he walks straight into a similar response from the PM. Cameron suggests that you can’t attack a plan unless you’ve got a plan – which considering his period as leader of the opposition, seems a little rich…

12.08: Ed Miliband changes tack, and demands a yes or no answer from Cameron. He doesn’t get one, expect to see Miliband continue to label the Prime Minister as a man who won’t talk straight.

12.05: Cameron seems much stronger this week. Agressive and strident. Ed Miliband seems more riled this week. His strategy this week appears to raise previous comments from members of the government criticising plans that are about to be unveiled. I’m not sure Ed is trying to win this one outright, he’s trying to trip Cameron up later on – it seems he’s trying to play the long game today.

12.01: Ed Miliband flags up the disparity between Ken Clarke and David Cameron’s views on the economy. Cameron replies by calling Ken Clarke large, in so many words. Cameron attempts to flip the question back to Ed Miliband, but Miliband repeats the question. Cameron dodges the question a second time – a dispute over the length of a quote has choked off debate already.

12.00: One of Cameron’s awkward squad up first – Peter Bone – who asks a difficult question on the EU, which Cameron swats away.

11.55: Some good names on the order paper today – LabourList favourite Chi Onwurah will be asking a question, as well the tenacious Tom Watson. There could be fireworks.

11.45: Unlike last week, PMQs isn’t the main event today – it is but a taster for what will come later with the Comprehensive Spending Review coming at 12.30. It’s still important though for Ed Miliband to build on the strong performance at his first PMQs. Has he had time to put in the same level of preparation this time? What will he discuss? Defence? Cuts? Perhaps electoral reform will get a mention?