This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8080891.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
LIVE: Prime minister's questions LIVE: Prime minister's questions
(10 minutes later)
Watch BBC News Channel's rolling coverageWatch BBC News Channel's rolling coverage
By Justin Parkinson 1209 Speaker Michael Martin tells Labour MPs not to shout down Mr Cameron, saying there will be no PMQs otherwise. By Justin Parkinson 1220 Mr Clegg says Labour is finished and says the only choice now is between the Conservatives and the Lib Dems - to laughter from the Labour benches. Mr Brown says "the Liberals" have had the same message at every election he has fought.
1217 Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg says the government is in "total meltdown" and says there is "danger" for democracy when people feel there is no-one in charge. Again, Mr Brown says policy is what counts and says the government is taking the action people want to see.
1216 Labour's Andrew Miller asks a friendly question over the government's "help" for Vauxhall. Mr Brown lists the actions his ministers have taken and has a swipe at the Tories' economic policies.
1214 Mr Cameron repeats the question about Mr Darling's future. Again, Mr Brown accuses the Tories of having no policies. Mr Cameron replies that, if this is so, the PM should call an election. The government is "collapsing", he adds. Mr Brown says he is dealing with the problems the country faces and gets some welcome backing from Labour MPs chorusing the word "nothing" when he lists the areas he says the Tories have no policies in.
1212 Mr Cameron turns to the economy and the chancellor, Alistair Darling. He asks whether the chancellor will still be in his post in a week's time. The PM lists Mr Darling's actions as chancellor and accuses Mr Cameron of being "incapable" of dealing with big issues.
1210 Mr Cameron urges the PM to guarantee there will be no further resignations ahead of his planned reshuffle, which will probably take place at some point around the weekend. Mr Brown says the government is working to clean up MPs' expenses and end the recession and says all sides should acknowledge the pressures some MPs and their families have been facing.
1209 Speaker Michael Martin tells Labour MPs not to shout down Mr Cameron, saying there will be no PMQs otherwise.
1208 Mr Cameron says Mr Brown is "in denial". He says Ms Blears' timing is a "direct challenge" to the PM's authority. Mr Brown says all parties have come under pressure over expenses and have issues that need sorting out.1208 Mr Cameron says Mr Brown is "in denial". He says Ms Blears' timing is a "direct challenge" to the PM's authority. Mr Brown says all parties have come under pressure over expenses and have issues that need sorting out.
1207 David Cameron is up. He leads on the ministerial resignations. He urges the PM to accept that his ability to lead the cabinet has "disappeared". Mr Brown pays tribute to his colleagues' contributions to government.1207 David Cameron is up. He leads on the ministerial resignations. He urges the PM to accept that his ability to lead the cabinet has "disappeared". Mr Brown pays tribute to his colleagues' contributions to government.
1205 The SNP's Mike Weir calls recent events - the cabinet trying to reshuffle itself as he put it - "pathetic". Mr Brown says the government is taking action on the big issues. Already there is much murmuring.1205 The SNP's Mike Weir calls recent events - the cabinet trying to reshuffle itself as he put it - "pathetic". Mr Brown says the government is taking action on the big issues. Already there is much murmuring.
1203 The PM also condemns the killers of British hostage Edwin Dyer, who was kidnapped in Mali.1203 The PM also condemns the killers of British hostage Edwin Dyer, who was kidnapped in Mali.
1202 We are off. Mr Brown is outlining his engagements. He pays tribute to service personnel killed in Afghanistan.1202 We are off. Mr Brown is outlining his engagements. He pays tribute to service personnel killed in Afghanistan.
1200 BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells BBC Two's Daily Politics that Europe minister Caroline Flint - a close ally and friend of Ms Blears - will not be resigning today. It comes to something when a minister not resigning is seen as good news for the prime minister.1200 BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells BBC Two's Daily Politics that Europe minister Caroline Flint - a close ally and friend of Ms Blears - will not be resigning today. It comes to something when a minister not resigning is seen as good news for the prime minister.
1158 The last PMQs I can remember being this anticipated was in 2001 shortly after Peter Mandelson, then Northern Ireland secretary, resigned. An ashen-faced Tony Blair was subjected to a tirade of mockery from then Tory leader William Hague. Some critics said he overdid it. Mr Cameron might have to be careful.1158 The last PMQs I can remember being this anticipated was in 2001 shortly after Peter Mandelson, then Northern Ireland secretary, resigned. An ashen-faced Tony Blair was subjected to a tirade of mockery from then Tory leader William Hague. Some critics said he overdid it. Mr Cameron might have to be careful.
1156 Not long to go. The atmosphere is tense. Goodness knows how Mr Brown's PMQs preparation team must be feeling.1156 Not long to go. The atmosphere is tense. Goodness knows how Mr Brown's PMQs preparation team must be feeling.
1151 So, what will David Cameron ask? The obvious line to take is to urge Mr Brown to call a general election. Expect him to use the resignations of Ms Blears, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and some of their ministerial colleagues to back up his argument that the government is in chaos. Or will he shock us and avoid what he himself calls "Punch and Judy" politics. Maybe a question about the EU ahead of Thursday's European elections? You never know.1151 So, what will David Cameron ask? The obvious line to take is to urge Mr Brown to call a general election. Expect him to use the resignations of Ms Blears, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and some of their ministerial colleagues to back up his argument that the government is in chaos. Or will he shock us and avoid what he himself calls "Punch and Judy" politics. Maybe a question about the EU ahead of Thursday's European elections? You never know.
1149 With about a quarter of an hour to go until PMQs, Northern Ireland questions are taking place. Quite a few Tory frontbenchers are in place in the Commons chamber.1149 With about a quarter of an hour to go until PMQs, Northern Ireland questions are taking place. Quite a few Tory frontbenchers are in place in the Commons chamber.
1148 The BBC's James Landale suggests the opposition parties might consciously not go too far in attacking the PM, for fear of provoking sympathy for his predicament, facing - as he is - the MPs' expenses scandal and a major economic recession.1148 The BBC's James Landale suggests the opposition parties might consciously not go too far in attacking the PM, for fear of provoking sympathy for his predicament, facing - as he is - the MPs' expenses scandal and a major economic recession.
1147 From BBC political correspondent Ben Wright: One Labour MP just told me that today will be Gordon Brown's last PMQs. Far-fetched? These are extraordinary, febrile and unpredictable times in Westminster. Imagine the scene in the Downing Street bunker this morning as staffers prepped with the PM for this lunchtime's Commons encounter. Hazel Blears has just detonated her career on the eve of elections that everyone in the Labour Party expects to be awful. The post-election cabinet reshuffle looks like it's unravelling before it's begun. And waiting in the Commons chamber are panicking Labour MPs and two opposition leaders demanding a general election. Gordon Brown dislikes prime minister's questions at the best of times. And these are starting to feel like the worst of times.1147 From BBC political correspondent Ben Wright: One Labour MP just told me that today will be Gordon Brown's last PMQs. Far-fetched? These are extraordinary, febrile and unpredictable times in Westminster. Imagine the scene in the Downing Street bunker this morning as staffers prepped with the PM for this lunchtime's Commons encounter. Hazel Blears has just detonated her career on the eve of elections that everyone in the Labour Party expects to be awful. The post-election cabinet reshuffle looks like it's unravelling before it's begun. And waiting in the Commons chamber are panicking Labour MPs and two opposition leaders demanding a general election. Gordon Brown dislikes prime minister's questions at the best of times. And these are starting to feel like the worst of times.
1145 The news of Ms Blears' resignation comes just a day ahead of the European and county council elections, when Labour is expected to have a bad time - or perhaps that should read "even worse". The Commons chamber is filling up. The Tories say Ms Blears has timed her resignation for maximum effect. She might have succeeded if that is the case.1145 The news of Ms Blears' resignation comes just a day ahead of the European and county council elections, when Labour is expected to have a bad time - or perhaps that should read "even worse". The Commons chamber is filling up. The Tories say Ms Blears has timed her resignation for maximum effect. She might have succeeded if that is the case.
1143 Wow. This has been the mother of all mornings at Westminster and now Gordon Brown has to face the excitement of PMQs. It is not an enviable position to be in. Expect Tory leader David Cameron to go for the prime minister today. It won't be pretty.1143 Wow. This has been the mother of all mornings at Westminster and now Gordon Brown has to face the excitement of PMQs. It is not an enviable position to be in. Expect Tory leader David Cameron to go for the prime minister today. It won't be pretty.
1140 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of prime minister's questions. This week's clash in the Commons is as widely anticipated as any in recent years as pressure mounts on Gordon Brown. The European and English local elections tomorrow might have been expected to dominate proceedings but Communities Secretary Hazel Blears' decision to announce her resignation has changed all that. We'll bring you all the action and all the developments as they happen and all the reaction and analysis from the BBC's team of correspondents and guests on Daily Politics, the BBC News Channel and BBC Radio 4's World at One.1140 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of prime minister's questions. This week's clash in the Commons is as widely anticipated as any in recent years as pressure mounts on Gordon Brown. The European and English local elections tomorrow might have been expected to dominate proceedings but Communities Secretary Hazel Blears' decision to announce her resignation has changed all that. We'll bring you all the action and all the developments as they happen and all the reaction and analysis from the BBC's team of correspondents and guests on Daily Politics, the BBC News Channel and BBC Radio 4's World at One.