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Clegg debuts with fuel bills call Clegg debuts with fuel bills call
(10 minutes later)
Nick Clegg has used his first Commons clash as Lib Dem leader to urge Gordon Brown to do more to help hard up families who face higher fuel bills.Nick Clegg has used his first Commons clash as Lib Dem leader to urge Gordon Brown to do more to help hard up families who face higher fuel bills.
He called on the PM to press gas and electricity companies to "end the scandal of the poorest families paying the most for their energy needs".He called on the PM to press gas and electricity companies to "end the scandal of the poorest families paying the most for their energy needs".
Mr Brown welcomed Mr Clegg to his new job, saying he hoped the two parties could work together on "major issues".Mr Brown welcomed Mr Clegg to his new job, saying he hoped the two parties could work together on "major issues".
Conservative leader David Cameron said he also wished the new leader well.Conservative leader David Cameron said he also wished the new leader well.
In the first question time of 2008, Mr Clegg warned that an estimated 25,000 people were predicted to die from the cold this winter.In the first question time of 2008, Mr Clegg warned that an estimated 25,000 people were predicted to die from the cold this winter.
He said "countless British families face fuel bills of £1,000 or more for the first time" this year.He said "countless British families face fuel bills of £1,000 or more for the first time" this year.
Mr Brown said: "We will do everything in our power to avoid fuel poverty in this country."
CheersCheers
Earlier in the exchanges, Mr Cameron welcomed Mr Clegg, saying to cheers: "He's the fourth Liberal Democrat leader I have faced and I wish him well - though not that well."Earlier in the exchanges, Mr Cameron welcomed Mr Clegg, saying to cheers: "He's the fourth Liberal Democrat leader I have faced and I wish him well - though not that well."
I'm incredibly optimistic about the prospects for the Liberal Democrats Nick CleggLib Dem leader Analysis: Do PMQs matter?Clash: Point-by-pointBrown's PMQs debutCameron's PMQs debutI'm incredibly optimistic about the prospects for the Liberal Democrats Nick CleggLib Dem leader Analysis: Do PMQs matter?Clash: Point-by-pointBrown's PMQs debutCameron's PMQs debut
Ahead of his Commons debut Mr Clegg had told the BBC that rather than worrying about addressing MPs he was "looking forward to the next months and years".Ahead of his Commons debut Mr Clegg had told the BBC that rather than worrying about addressing MPs he was "looking forward to the next months and years".
"I'm incredibly optimistic about the prospects for the Liberal Democrats. This Wednesday morning ritual is only one small sort of stitch in that wider pattern."I'm incredibly optimistic about the prospects for the Liberal Democrats. This Wednesday morning ritual is only one small sort of stitch in that wider pattern.
"I think it's important in Westminster terms - I'm not sure if that many members of the public really pay that much attention to it, but it's certainly important in terms of our parliamentary ritual and procedure.""I think it's important in Westminster terms - I'm not sure if that many members of the public really pay that much attention to it, but it's certainly important in terms of our parliamentary ritual and procedure."
The weekly joust between the prime minister, leaders of the opposition and MPs, is a notoriously rowdy affair in which members have to almost shout to get themselves heard.The weekly joust between the prime minister, leaders of the opposition and MPs, is a notoriously rowdy affair in which members have to almost shout to get themselves heard.
Last wordLast word
Unlike the prime minister and leader of the opposition, the Lib Dem leader does not have a dispatch box from which to ask his questions.Unlike the prime minister and leader of the opposition, the Lib Dem leader does not have a dispatch box from which to ask his questions.
Mr Clegg also suffers from having only two questions compared with Mr Cameron's six questions.Mr Clegg also suffers from having only two questions compared with Mr Cameron's six questions.
And in both cases the occasion is structured in a way which means the prime minister always has the last word in any exchange.And in both cases the occasion is structured in a way which means the prime minister always has the last word in any exchange.
I'm not sure if that many members of the public really pay that much attention to it Nick Clegg on Prime Minister's questions End of two-party system?Clegg's frontbench teamI'm not sure if that many members of the public really pay that much attention to it Nick Clegg on Prime Minister's questions End of two-party system?Clegg's frontbench team
As new leader Mr Clegg's initial task is to raise his public profile - there is widespread debate about the importance of the Commons questions sessions on voters' views.As new leader Mr Clegg's initial task is to raise his public profile - there is widespread debate about the importance of the Commons questions sessions on voters' views.
Vince Cable, who became acting leader after Sir Menzies Campbell quit, received widespread praise for his witty contributions to question time.Vince Cable, who became acting leader after Sir Menzies Campbell quit, received widespread praise for his witty contributions to question time.
But the experience of past Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell - and Iain Duncan Smith for the Conservatives - suggests that poor performances can damage a leader's standing with their own MPs.But the experience of past Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell - and Iain Duncan Smith for the Conservatives - suggests that poor performances can damage a leader's standing with their own MPs.