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| LIVE: Prime minister's questions | LIVE: Prime minister's questions |
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| Prime minister's questions (UK users only) | Prime minister's questions (UK users only) |
| By Emma Griffiths 1217 Mr Brown jokes that he was right about the Speaker's "unfailing generosity" to all members of the House. There is a discussion about electoral reform. | |
| 1217 There is much amusement as the Speaker calls another MP to speak before Mr Clegg asks his second question. Mr Martin jokes that he thought there were two bits to the first question, getting a warm round of cheers from MPs. "Touche Mr Speaker", the Lib Dem leader says. | |
| 1216 Mr Clegg says expenses are "just the tip of the iceberg" and Whitehall secrecy and party funding must also be looked at. Mr Brown says plans have been brought forward on funding - he says MPs must listen to the views of the people. | |
| 1214 Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg stands up - he thanks the Speaker for the "immensely dignified way" he announced his resignation - he is drowned out by MPs. Mr Clegg had publicly called for the Speaker to go. The Speaker intervenes to say Mr Clegg is entitled to be heard. | |
| The members of this corrupt House of Commons should tender their resignations, and hang their heads in shame. Better still HM the Queen should dissolve parliament immediately.Paul Bennett, Bognor Regis, England | |
| 1213 Labour's Glasgow South MP Tom Harris asks about a constituent who is still having trouble getting a bank loan for their business - Mr Brown says they should ask the bank to reconsider, then write to Mr Harris and him to let them know what had happened. | |
| Ben Bruce: Yes, I agree with you, so lets have a general election now.Alison | |
| 1212 Mr Brown repeats there would be "chaos with public spending cuts under the Conservatives" who he says do not even have a "sensible manifesto". | |
| 1212 There is the usual back and forth about what the government has done and whether the Tories have supported it. There are laughs as Mr Cameron quotes Labour MP Frank Field who suggests little work is being done. He also brings up the Damian McBride smear scandal. He says an election would not bring "chaos" but "change" and gets a big cheer from the Tories | |
| 1211 From BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins: Gordon Brown warned about the "chaos of an election" on telly this morning. David Cameron is trying to make him pay for that. He's using question after question to make one point : isn't it time for a general election? | |
| 1210 Mr Cameron says the best way to talk about the issues is to hold a general election - he suggests the government is so paralysed it can't even organise a car scrappage scheme. Mr Brown responds by saying that Conservative cuts would cause paralysis. | |
| 1209 The Cosnervative leader says the best way to show humility is to go to "the people who put us here" and points out the US elections were held in the middle of a banking crisis. Was President Obama the "agent of chaos", he asks. Mr Brown says Mr Cameron is not raising policy points or talking about what he would do to tackle the economic crisis - to cheers from Labour MPs. | 1209 The Cosnervative leader says the best way to show humility is to go to "the people who put us here" and points out the US elections were held in the middle of a banking crisis. Was President Obama the "agent of chaos", he asks. Mr Brown says Mr Cameron is not raising policy points or talking about what he would do to tackle the economic crisis - to cheers from Labour MPs. |
| 1208 Mr Brown urges "humility" over the expenses scandal. He says there have been good all-party talks but more is to be done. What the public want is for MPs to sort out the problems and deal with the recession, he says. | 1208 Mr Brown urges "humility" over the expenses scandal. He says there have been good all-party talks but more is to be done. What the public want is for MPs to sort out the problems and deal with the recession, he says. |
| 1207 Mr Brown says a Conservative government would cause chaos - to loud cheers from his MPs. But Mr Cameron turns the tables and says that Mr Brown had just given the first admission that he expects the Tories to win an election. | 1207 Mr Brown says a Conservative government would cause chaos - to loud cheers from his MPs. But Mr Cameron turns the tables and says that Mr Brown had just given the first admission that he expects the Tories to win an election. |
| 1206 David Cameron repeats the tribute to the soldier killed in Afghanistan and tributes to Mr Martin, the Speaker. He says he will not forget the kindness the Speaker showed him as a new MP. He goes on to ask why the PM had suggested during an interview that calling a general election would "cause chaos". | 1206 David Cameron repeats the tribute to the soldier killed in Afghanistan and tributes to Mr Martin, the Speaker. He says he will not forget the kindness the Speaker showed him as a new MP. He goes on to ask why the PM had suggested during an interview that calling a general election would "cause chaos". |
| 1205 Labour's George Howarth brings up the issue of the Gurkhas and asks what progress has been made - the government suffered a defeat on the issue a few weeks ago. Mr Brown says they have great sympathy for the Nepalese fighters - part of the British army. The home secretary will make a statement tomorrow, he says. | 1205 Labour's George Howarth brings up the issue of the Gurkhas and asks what progress has been made - the government suffered a defeat on the issue a few weeks ago. Mr Brown says they have great sympathy for the Nepalese fighters - part of the British army. The home secretary will make a statement tomorrow, he says. |
| I can't believe my eyes. Someone honestly writing that they think Gordon Brown is doing a good job. I would love to hear some evidenceMartin Leonard, Banbury | I can't believe my eyes. Someone honestly writing that they think Gordon Brown is doing a good job. I would love to hear some evidenceMartin Leonard, Banbury |
| 1203 Lib Dem MP Paul Rowen kicks things off with a question about the controversial plan to part-privatise Royal Mail. A suggestion it is "losing" millions of letters a year is met with chuckles and quickly corrected. Mr Brown meant millions fewer are being sent. | 1203 Lib Dem MP Paul Rowen kicks things off with a question about the controversial plan to part-privatise Royal Mail. A suggestion it is "losing" millions of letters a year is met with chuckles and quickly corrected. Mr Brown meant millions fewer are being sent. |
| Are the reforms going to extend to abolishing the £400 per month food limit? Why should the tax payer also fund their eating habits?Adrian Haughton, Northampton | Are the reforms going to extend to abolishing the £400 per month food limit? Why should the tax payer also fund their eating habits?Adrian Haughton, Northampton |
| 1202 He also pays a brief tribute to the Speaker's "outstanding" record of service and "unfailing personal kindness" - to "hear hears" from MPs. | 1202 He also pays a brief tribute to the Speaker's "outstanding" record of service and "unfailing personal kindness" - to "hear hears" from MPs. |
| 1201 Gordon Brown is on his feet. As the chamber quietens down he pays tribute to a soldier killed in Afghanistan last week. | 1201 Gordon Brown is on his feet. As the chamber quietens down he pays tribute to a soldier killed in Afghanistan last week. |
| 1200 Over in the Commons there's much bustling and noise as the benches fill up - Gordon Brown has just taken his seat | 1200 Over in the Commons there's much bustling and noise as the benches fill up - Gordon Brown has just taken his seat |
| I think Gordon Brown is doing a good job and I will vote for him any day, any time. David Cameron just wants to be in the history books as one of the prime ministers of this countryBen Bruce, London | I think Gordon Brown is doing a good job and I will vote for him any day, any time. David Cameron just wants to be in the history books as one of the prime ministers of this countryBen Bruce, London |
| 1159 Lord Naseby, a former deputy Speaker, says on Daily Politics Michael Martin must feel pretty sad and regret the day he let the police in to search Tory MP Damian Green's office - one of the previous issues he had been criticised over | 1159 Lord Naseby, a former deputy Speaker, says on Daily Politics Michael Martin must feel pretty sad and regret the day he let the police in to search Tory MP Damian Green's office - one of the previous issues he had been criticised over |
| 1158 A couple of minutes to go and BBC political editor Nick Robinson is in the Daily Politics studio. He says he would be amazed if Hazel Blears survives the next cabinet reshuffle. He says the leaders won't want to talk much about the Speaker as they want to stay ahead of the public. | 1158 A couple of minutes to go and BBC political editor Nick Robinson is in the Daily Politics studio. He says he would be amazed if Hazel Blears survives the next cabinet reshuffle. He says the leaders won't want to talk much about the Speaker as they want to stay ahead of the public. |
| 1154 There is some amusement in the Daily Politics studio as one e-mailer suggests Charles Kennedy should be the new Speaker. He doesn't seem that keen. He says enough Lib Dems are already being sounded out. "I'll sit this one out," he adds. You heard it here first. | 1154 There is some amusement in the Daily Politics studio as one e-mailer suggests Charles Kennedy should be the new Speaker. He doesn't seem that keen. He says enough Lib Dems are already being sounded out. "I'll sit this one out," he adds. You heard it here first. |
| 1152 From BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins: There's lots of talk about cross party agreements and consensus on expenses. But they don't specialise in consensus at PMQs. With MPs on both sides of the house feeling battered by the row we're waiting to see what lines the leaders will take. | 1152 From BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins: There's lots of talk about cross party agreements and consensus on expenses. But they don't specialise in consensus at PMQs. With MPs on both sides of the house feeling battered by the row we're waiting to see what lines the leaders will take. |
| 1151 Ben Bradshaw says he always thought the expenses system "stunk". | 1151 Ben Bradshaw says he always thought the expenses system "stunk". |
| 1150 The Daily Politics panel moves onto Hazel Blears - how can she remain in the cabinet, they are asked. Mr Bradshaw says there must be "due process" and an independent audit of all claims. Geoff Hoon and Alistair Darling's claims are also mentioned - Mr Bradshaw says he won't sit in judgement on others' claims. | 1150 The Daily Politics panel moves onto Hazel Blears - how can she remain in the cabinet, they are asked. Mr Bradshaw says there must be "due process" and an independent audit of all claims. Geoff Hoon and Alistair Darling's claims are also mentioned - Mr Bradshaw says he won't sit in judgement on others' claims. |
| 1149 Eric Pickles said there would be no "quick fix by us" on expenses but the fate of Tory MPs whose claims have been questioned will be left with the party's membership. Ben Bradshaw says the Tories don't have the power to kick out their MPs. Mr Pickles says they can remove the whip and refer the matter to the board for reselection | 1149 Eric Pickles said there would be no "quick fix by us" on expenses but the fate of Tory MPs whose claims have been questioned will be left with the party's membership. Ben Bradshaw says the Tories don't have the power to kick out their MPs. Mr Pickles says they can remove the whip and refer the matter to the board for reselection |
| 1148 Pollster Ben Page from Mori, on Daily Politics, says people had never trusted politicians to tell the truth and 55% pollled last year said they believed MPs to be acting in their own interest. He thinks the public will be pleased to see an end to the "old boys' club". | 1148 Pollster Ben Page from Mori, on Daily Politics, says people had never trusted politicians to tell the truth and 55% pollled last year said they believed MPs to be acting in their own interest. He thinks the public will be pleased to see an end to the "old boys' club". |
| 1147 What if the independent inquiry recommends a pay rise for MPs the Daily Politics is asked? Charles Kennedy says that hits the nail on the head - would a new government allow a big rise and scrapping allowances altogether? "We shall see," says Mr Kennedy. Ben Bradshaw says he isn't in favour of that - some MPs' constituencies mean they need more than others, he says. | 1147 What if the independent inquiry recommends a pay rise for MPs the Daily Politics is asked? Charles Kennedy says that hits the nail on the head - would a new government allow a big rise and scrapping allowances altogether? "We shall see," says Mr Kennedy. Ben Bradshaw says he isn't in favour of that - some MPs' constituencies mean they need more than others, he says. |
| 1145 By the way there's still some confusion about whether Esther Rantzen - the former That's Life presenter - is going to stand against Margaret Moran in Luton South. The latest is she's going to decide next Tuesday but says she is very tempted to stand. | 1145 By the way there's still some confusion about whether Esther Rantzen - the former That's Life presenter - is going to stand against Margaret Moran in Luton South. The latest is she's going to decide next Tuesday but says she is very tempted to stand. |
| 1142 The latest line from the morning lobby briefing at Downing Street is that the PM has "full confidence" in Hazel Blears. His spokesman pointed out she had repaid the capital gains tax on the sale of her London flat. | 1142 The latest line from the morning lobby briefing at Downing Street is that the PM has "full confidence" in Hazel Blears. His spokesman pointed out she had repaid the capital gains tax on the sale of her London flat. |
| 1141 At the start of the show Eric Pickles says the interim proposals on the table are a "pretty good start" and it could not have been left to "drift on" through the summer recess. Ben Bradshaw says it's a start but "won't be enough". Charles Clarke says the "tumultuous events" of Tuesday - when Speaker Michael Martin announced he would be standing down - are only the start. | 1141 At the start of the show Eric Pickles says the interim proposals on the table are a "pretty good start" and it could not have been left to "drift on" through the summer recess. Ben Bradshaw says it's a start but "won't be enough". Charles Clarke says the "tumultuous events" of Tuesday - when Speaker Michael Martin announced he would be standing down - are only the start. |
| 1140 We'll start with some coverage of events in the Daily Politics studio - where former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy, health minister Ben Bradshaw and Conservative chairman Eric Pickles are talking about the events of the past 13 days. As the expenses revelations have knocked most other stories off the news agenda, it is expected to dominate PMQs. There may be some mention of Hazel Blears - whose failure to pay capital gains tax on the sale of her "second home" was described by Gordon Brown yesterday as "totally unacceptable". However whether David Cameron will want to raise it when his own MPs are accused of claiming for swimming pool maintenance remains to be seen. | 1140 We'll start with some coverage of events in the Daily Politics studio - where former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy, health minister Ben Bradshaw and Conservative chairman Eric Pickles are talking about the events of the past 13 days. As the expenses revelations have knocked most other stories off the news agenda, it is expected to dominate PMQs. There may be some mention of Hazel Blears - whose failure to pay capital gains tax on the sale of her "second home" was described by Gordon Brown yesterday as "totally unacceptable". However whether David Cameron will want to raise it when his own MPs are accused of claiming for swimming pool maintenance remains to be seen. |
| 1138 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of prime minister's questions. This week we'll be doing an extra-long session as PMQs is followed by a statement from Commons leader Harriet Harman on proposals for immediate changes to MPs' expenses. Together with responses from other MPs this statement is expected to last an hour. Gordon Brown has said he wants an end to the Parliamentary "gentlemen's club" so we'll see what the reaction is in the Commons chamber. | 1138 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of prime minister's questions. This week we'll be doing an extra-long session as PMQs is followed by a statement from Commons leader Harriet Harman on proposals for immediate changes to MPs' expenses. Together with responses from other MPs this statement is expected to last an hour. Gordon Brown has said he wants an end to the Parliamentary "gentlemen's club" so we'll see what the reaction is in the Commons chamber. |