PMQs Verdict: Confident Corbyn finds his stride

Jeremy Corbyn’s team clearly felt that today went well; a spokesperson said after PMQs had finished that this is a style we are likely to see more of in future. The Labour leader used questions that had been sent in from supporters but, unlike last time, did not restrict himself by choosing six beforehand. This relaxation of the crowdsourced ‘People’s PMQs’ meant he was able to use his own follow-up questions when he felt Cameron had not answered – which we know, from experience, can happen all too often.

It wasn’t just the approach that had been relaxed – Jeremy looked it too.

Faced with stifled laughter from the Tory backbenches as he read out the name of Kelly, a single mother of a disabled child having her working tax credits cut, Corbyn paused and cast an impressive fleeting glower. When snorts of derision broke out among the Conservative ranks as he read out a question from Matthew on housing, he allowed himself a moment and remarked: “This might be funny to some members, but it’s not funny to Matthew and many others.”

There are no Labour MPs preparing to rebel the party line on opposing the tax credit cuts, so for Corbyn to focus primarily on the issue is safe ground, where he can be sure to avoid jibes about party splits. It’s also going to be one of the most unpopular Government measures over the next year – even The Sun are giving the Tories hell about it.

Corbyn noted that “three million low and middle income families are going to be worse off because of the tax credit changes”, before offering Cameron the opportunity to change his mind on the issue. When he raised the opposition day debate Labour have tabled on tax credits next week, it was clear he had found his confidence, adding drily:

“I’m sure the Prime Minister will want to take part in this debate and explain why it is such a good idea to make so many people so much worse off.”

It has taken only two PMQs for Jeremy Corbyn to look settled, something which Ed Miliband never really achieved. Corbyn is aware that the confrontational nature is not to his strength, and so has gone about changing it to a style that better suits him. It is not as fun, it is not as punchy, but the other option would have been to give David Cameron an easy ride. As the PM reflects on today’s debate, he’ll know that he didn’t get one.