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LIVE: Prime minister's questions LIVE: Prime minister's questions
(10 minutes later)
Prime minister's questions (UK users only)Prime minister's questions (UK users only)
By Emma Griffiths 1208 Mr Brown says he'll answer questions about electoral reform in his statement later - Mr Cameron says it's too late as he's already briefed the press. The discussion moves to the BNP - which won two MEP seats this week - Mr Cameron says that is an argument against proportional representation for Westminster. Mr Brown attacks the BNP and says he has never supported proportional representation as a policy. By Emma Griffiths 1219 Nick Clegg has stood up but it's hard to hear him as MPs are talking over the top of him. The rowdiness returns. Mr Clegg presses on and urges Mr Brown to deliver on his promises to help homeowners through the recession.
Martin Cook from London says: Why does the Prime Minister not realise (or admit) that cuts have to be made in public spending? Have Your Say
1218 Eric Illsley, a Labour backbencher, raises the issues of redundancies in his constituency and asks the PM to intervene - things have calmed down momentarily.
1215 Mr Cameron calls the government "weak, divided and incompetent" - a charge Tony Blair in opposition used to level at John Major. Mr Brown is back onto the subject of public spending cuts. It's very rowdy in the chamber. Michael Martin, in his penultimate PMQs, admonishes Tory MP Andrew Robathan and tells him he's at risk of being removed.
Darren John from Swindon says: David Cameron is lining himself to replace Sir Alan on The Apprentice....Mr Brown...You're Fired! Have Your Say
1215 Mr Cameron makes several digs about the PM's reshuffle - saying he wants second preference voting but has been left with a "second preference chancellor" - there had been widespread reports Alistair Darling was to be moved, but refused to budge.
1215 From BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins: Gordon Brown wants a debate on changing the voting system. And he's getting one. David Cameron think's he's only interested in the subject because of Labour's fortunes at the ballot box.
1214 Mr Brown turns fire back on the Tories with another reference to alleged Tory spending cuts. He says Mr Cameron needs to be "honest with the country" - there is some shouting from Labour MPs behind him.
1213 Mr Cameron says Mr Brown's statement that he had "no plans" should be interpreted as meaning he is thinking of having a referendum. He demands a stronger commitment. Mr Brown says he said "no plans" and he means "no plans". The Tories are loudly supporting Mr Cameron who says the PM has "no democratic legitimacy" and says he is trying to "fix the rules of the election".
1211 Mr Cameron says remarks like that make him a "figure of ridicule" - he says there's not been "a squeak" about electoral reform for 12 years, now all of a sudden he's interested.
1210 Mr Brown says there are no plans to change the voting system before the next general election - he says there's an interest "throughout the country" on the issue of electoral reform. He accuses the Tory leader of "self interest" in the way he is approaching policy discussion. Mr Cameron laughs - as do many Tory MPs. Speaker Michael Martin steps in to restore order.
1208 Mr Brown says he'll answer questions about electoral reform in his statement later - Mr Cameron says it's too late as he's already briefed the press. The discussion moves to the BNP - which won two MEP seats this week - Mr Cameron says that is an argument against proportional representation for Westminster. Mr Brown attacks the BNP and says he has never supported proportional representation as a policy.
1207 Mr Brown is backed by Labour MPs as he says finally the Tories have asked a question about policy. Mr Cameron almost misses his second question as the Speaker calls another MP to ask a question before correcting himself and calling the Conservative leader again.1207 Mr Brown is backed by Labour MPs as he says finally the Tories have asked a question about policy. Mr Cameron almost misses his second question as the Speaker calls another MP to ask a question before correcting himself and calling the Conservative leader again.
1206 David Cameron is met with cheers and laughter as he tells Mr Brown "how pleased" he is "to see the prime minister in his place" - a reference to Mr Brown's leadership troubles. He says the Tories are against changing the electoral system and suggests it is because Labour got 15% of the vote in the Euro elections1206 David Cameron is met with cheers and laughter as he tells Mr Brown "how pleased" he is "to see the prime minister in his place" - a reference to Mr Brown's leadership troubles. He says the Tories are against changing the electoral system and suggests it is because Labour got 15% of the vote in the Euro elections
1204 As predicted veteran Labour MP Gerald Kaufman is the backbencher to read out a lengthy question about "Tory cuts", Mr Brown again raises Andrew Lansley's comments. Lots of barracking as he says Labour would invest in the future and Tories would make cuts.1204 As predicted veteran Labour MP Gerald Kaufman is the backbencher to read out a lengthy question about "Tory cuts", Mr Brown again raises Andrew Lansley's comments. Lots of barracking as he says Labour would invest in the future and Tories would make cuts.
1203 Mr Brown says shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley has said he will be cutting spending in "vital areas" - only to be met with shouts from the Tory benches.1203 Mr Brown says shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley has said he will be cutting spending in "vital areas" - only to be met with shouts from the Tory benches.
1202 The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson says there will be spending cuts after the next general election, no matter who is in charge. He expects a friendly Labour MP to ask the PM about "Tory spending cuts". Mr Brown gets going with this very subject as he starts the session.1202 The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson says there will be spending cuts after the next general election, no matter who is in charge. He expects a friendly Labour MP to ask the PM about "Tory spending cuts". Mr Brown gets going with this very subject as he starts the session.
1158 Mr Brown's spokesman has announced that a summary version of a report into Shahid Malik will be published today, with "personal and confidential" information about the MP removed. The Dewsbury MP stepped down as justice minister pending an inquiry into his rental arrangements - which appeared as part of the Telegraph's expenses coverage. He's since returned to government, this time in the communities department, after Sir Philip Mawer advised the PM he had not breached the ministerial code. Opposition parties wanted the whole report published amid cover-up claims.1158 Mr Brown's spokesman has announced that a summary version of a report into Shahid Malik will be published today, with "personal and confidential" information about the MP removed. The Dewsbury MP stepped down as justice minister pending an inquiry into his rental arrangements - which appeared as part of the Telegraph's expenses coverage. He's since returned to government, this time in the communities department, after Sir Philip Mawer advised the PM he had not breached the ministerial code. Opposition parties wanted the whole report published amid cover-up claims.
1155 Mr Woolas ducks a question on what exactly will be the level of public sector spending squeezes in future years - he says if Labour had not done "what we've done, it would've been much worse". Unsurprisingly Miss Widdecombe disagrees. She says Labour was responsible for leaving the British economy heavily in debt and was not well placed to deal with it.1155 Mr Woolas ducks a question on what exactly will be the level of public sector spending squeezes in future years - he says if Labour had not done "what we've done, it would've been much worse". Unsurprisingly Miss Widdecombe disagrees. She says Labour was responsible for leaving the British economy heavily in debt and was not well placed to deal with it.
1154 Phil Woolas says he never doubted Gordon Brown would survive as leader and says he was being blamed for things that were not his fault. He says in 1991 everyone said John Major was finished but he went on to win in 1992. Miss Widdecombe rather unkindly quips: "That's because you put up Neil Kinnock, we're putting up David Cameron."1154 Phil Woolas says he never doubted Gordon Brown would survive as leader and says he was being blamed for things that were not his fault. He says in 1991 everyone said John Major was finished but he went on to win in 1992. Miss Widdecombe rather unkindly quips: "That's because you put up Neil Kinnock, we're putting up David Cameron."
1154 So what else might come up at PMQs? Gordon Brown's decision to make Sir Alan Sugar a peer and offer him a government advisory job has not gone down at all well with the Tories. Sir Alan fronts the popular BBC show The Apprentice and the Tories say it compromises the BBC's impartiality. We can probably expect someone to raise it...1154 So what else might come up at PMQs? Gordon Brown's decision to make Sir Alan Sugar a peer and offer him a government advisory job has not gone down at all well with the Tories. Sir Alan fronts the popular BBC show The Apprentice and the Tories say it compromises the BBC's impartiality. We can probably expect someone to raise it...
1153 Oh dear. We didn't think it could last and sure enough the consensus between Mr Woolas and Miss Widdecombe is over - she says the government is putting forward constitutional reform proposals as a "distraction" - Mr Woolas disagrees. Mr Robertson says it's quite a coincidence the PM is putting forward his plans on a day the SNP and Plaid Cymru have chosen to debate calling an immediate general election.1153 Oh dear. We didn't think it could last and sure enough the consensus between Mr Woolas and Miss Widdecombe is over - she says the government is putting forward constitutional reform proposals as a "distraction" - Mr Woolas disagrees. Mr Robertson says it's quite a coincidence the PM is putting forward his plans on a day the SNP and Plaid Cymru have chosen to debate calling an immediate general election.
1151 There's a bit of banter on Daily Politics about whether there should be a general election. Angus Robertson of the SNP wants one in the wake of the expenses scandal - his party and Plaid Cymru are making just such a call in the Commons from about 4pm this afternoon. Phil Woolas says a fresh mandate for Parliament will happen soon anyway - a general election has to be called by next June anyway. Ann Widdecombe wants an election - she says Gordon Brown has made a mess of things.1151 There's a bit of banter on Daily Politics about whether there should be a general election. Angus Robertson of the SNP wants one in the wake of the expenses scandal - his party and Plaid Cymru are making just such a call in the Commons from about 4pm this afternoon. Phil Woolas says a fresh mandate for Parliament will happen soon anyway - a general election has to be called by next June anyway. Ann Widdecombe wants an election - she says Gordon Brown has made a mess of things.
1150 Gordon Brown is outlining his plans for constitutional reform to MPs straight after Prime Minister's questions and we'll be sticking with the live coverage for that - with all the details as they are announced and reaction as it comes. Daily Politics host Andrew Neil says the Lib Dems, well known campaigners for electoral reform, didn't want to put anyone up to come on the show until they've heard what the PM has to say.1150 Gordon Brown is outlining his plans for constitutional reform to MPs straight after Prime Minister's questions and we'll be sticking with the live coverage for that - with all the details as they are announced and reaction as it comes. Daily Politics host Andrew Neil says the Lib Dems, well known campaigners for electoral reform, didn't want to put anyone up to come on the show until they've heard what the PM has to say.
1148 Miss Widdecombe might yet get Mr Woolas's backing for Speaker - they seem to be agreeing on a lot and he says he thinks the Speaker should be a Tory this time - the last two have been Labour MPs. But he points out, she hasn't said she's running yet1148 Miss Widdecombe might yet get Mr Woolas's backing for Speaker - they seem to be agreeing on a lot and he says he thinks the Speaker should be a Tory this time - the last two have been Labour MPs. But he points out, she hasn't said she's running yet
1147 There's a bit of discussion about the law lords decision to allow three terrorism suspects to appeal against their control orders after they argued they did not know what they were accused of. Ann Widdecombe, a former home office minister, backs the government over control orders but says they have to make sure they are not being misused. However she says it's not for judges to make the law. Phil Woolas says there is a serious difference between judges and the government on this.1147 There's a bit of discussion about the law lords decision to allow three terrorism suspects to appeal against their control orders after they argued they did not know what they were accused of. Ann Widdecombe, a former home office minister, backs the government over control orders but says they have to make sure they are not being misused. However she says it's not for judges to make the law. Phil Woolas says there is a serious difference between judges and the government on this.
1141 Ann Widdecombe says she has "yet to make up her mind" about whether she wants to be an interim Speaker - the formidable former minister is due to retire as an MP at the next election but someone needs to fill Michael Martin's shoes, after he stepped down during the expenses furore and it many have been encouraging her to offer herself as a short term replacement.1141 Ann Widdecombe says she has "yet to make up her mind" about whether she wants to be an interim Speaker - the formidable former minister is due to retire as an MP at the next election but someone needs to fill Michael Martin's shoes, after he stepped down during the expenses furore and it many have been encouraging her to offer herself as a short term replacement.
1140 Hello, and welcome to this week's live coverage of prime minister's questions. It's been quite a week for Gordon Brown. Since last week's PMQs four more cabinet ministers, and other junior ministers, have gone - James Purnell telling him bluntly to stand aside. Also there have been the English council and European elections - both of which were pretty disastrous for the Labour Party. David Cameron and Nick Clegg will have plenty of ammunition, but how will they choose to play it? Before PMQs starts there'll be some analysis from the Daily Politics studio, where Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe and immigration minister Phil Woolas are currently unpicking events.1140 Hello, and welcome to this week's live coverage of prime minister's questions. It's been quite a week for Gordon Brown. Since last week's PMQs four more cabinet ministers, and other junior ministers, have gone - James Purnell telling him bluntly to stand aside. Also there have been the English council and European elections - both of which were pretty disastrous for the Labour Party. David Cameron and Nick Clegg will have plenty of ammunition, but how will they choose to play it? Before PMQs starts there'll be some analysis from the Daily Politics studio, where Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe and immigration minister Phil Woolas are currently unpicking events.