IT was a resounding victory to underdog Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs yesterday and I can’t wait for more.
Corbyn, the slightly shambolic man of the people, and Cameron, the slick as a brick old Etonian, could not have been more different as they sat across from each other, preparing for the fight.
But beneath his gentle demeanour the new leader of the Opposition had masterminded a revolutionary plan which left the Prime Minister winded from the start. It was an attack delivered in a silk glove that said “put aside the usual terms of this weekly, farcical bout, allow the people of the country into the debate and let’s act in a respectful manner”.
It was sensible and reasonable, who could not agree? This was Corbyn-style PMQs and the PM had to play by the rules.
From the outset it was then impossible for Cameron to pillory or ridicule the new Labour leader. An attack on him would be an attack on the person who had asked the question – Marie on the housing crisis, for example or Gail and Angela on the underfunding of mental health services.
Cameron had to hold back, giving Corbyn – and Marie, Steven, Paul, Claire, Gail and Angela – the upper hand.
Unable to use wit or might to undermine his opponent, the PM was forced to reserve his venom for Angus Robertson. He lashed out when Roberston asked him about his failure to keep the Vow, prompting the SNP Westminster leader to fire back: “What’s happened to the new style of PMQs?”
Down and defeated the PM withdrew from the fray, leaving it up to his bully boys on the backbenches and his Orange-sash wearing side-kick Nigel Dodds, leader of the DUP, to deliver the cheap shots to Corbyn and his team.
Corbyn remained above the clamour. Dignified, skilled and principled, his was an extraordinary performance.
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