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PMQs review: Cameron comes out fighting

On the NHS, the PM has decided that attack is the best form of defence.

By George Eaton Published 22 February 2012 14:24

In the case of his NHS reforms, David Cameron has decided that attack is the best form of defence. On the rack over Andrew Lansley's chaotic reorganisation, he finally came out fighting at today's PMQs.

The session didn't begin well for the Prime Minister as Ed Miliband mocked a health summit which excluded "the vast majority of people who work in the NHS". Sounding ever more like Gordon Brown, Cameron boasted that "we are putting more money into the NHS" before conceding that "money alone won't do the job". As Miliband rightly noted, he had "no answer" to the question about his "ridiculous" summit. Armed with a quiver of embarrassing quotes from Cameron ("we have to take nurses and doctors with us"), Miliband pressed home his advantage.

But Cameron wasn't prepared to roll over. "When is he going to ask a question about the substance of the reforms," he asked. Labour used to favour choice, competition and GPs being in charge. Now they are opposed, Cameron said. The problem for the PM is that while Labour's reforms enjoyed public support, his do not. The issue, of course, is one of trust. Cameron still has no convincing answer to the question of why he broke his promise to put an end to the "top-down reorganisations of the NHS". So long as this remains the case, the charge that he has no mandate for the reforms will stick.

The PM, however, had a trump card up his sleeve. Having questioned why Miliband hadn't asked him about the risk register (which Labour has triggered a vote on tonight), Cameron revealed why. A copy of Labour's briefing note for today's debate showed that Andy Burnham had blocked the publication of a risk register in 2009. Labour were "a bunch of rank opportunists," declared Cameron.

But while Cameron's attack will resonate in the Westminster village, it is Miliband's that will resonate with the public. "This will become his Poll Tax," the Labour leader predicted in a line tailor made for tonight's news bulletins. "He should listen to the public and drop this bill."

Cameron has no intention of doing that but, for the first time in months, he no longer sounds so defensive.

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Tags: PMQs review

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16 comments

Wed, 2012-02-22 18:05 — Tesco Shelf Stacker (not verified)

The public are simply not 'switched on' regarding NHS reforms. Miliband is pissing in the wind if he thinks the general public are narked about these reforms - they're not. The only reason miliband goes on about the NHS is because the Labour Party doesn't have any major policy differences with the tory-led coalition to debate about. They agree on pretty much every other major issue. A detatched public watches this spectacle and see's it for what it truely is - a pantomime.

Wed, 2012-02-22 18:16 — nourredine (not verified)

I don't want you to take it the wrong way but did you get your job on George Smith (Ian David Smith) scheme?or are you just in pantomime?

Thu, 2012-02-23 11:33 — Reginald-Fah-fah

@ nourredine

Ian Duncan Smith name is George, call him George. Us Tories all do!!!

Wed, 2012-02-22 18:18 — nourredine (not verified)

.....I meant Ian Duncan Smith

Thu, 2012-02-23 12:42 — Mizar (not verified)

IDS has had a personality double bypass, and is famously thick. He is also quite dodgy - with his "enhanced" CV and the "Betsygate" scandal. All well known stuff.

BUT COMPARE: Now, unemployed people are forced to work for no pay. Then, allegedly, his wife was paid by him using HoC expenses, but did NO work.

Wed, 2012-02-22 14:45 — David Wearing (not verified)

I don't think Cameron ever sounds particularly defensive, and nor do I think that this tells us very much. The country could descend into a sort of Mad Max dystopia, and Cameron would still be blustering away, mocking those with the temerity to question him. That's just who he is.

If the professionals are right about the likely impact of the NHS bill then there will be real human costs. That sort of thing is a tad more likely to stick in voter's minds come polling day than one of Cameron's little zingers at PMQs.

Wed, 2012-02-22 14:46 — elrob

Miliband was often on the ropes, but came back punching. The best line was Miliband's: Minister, he does not want advice from you, aimed at Lansley as he leant over to help Cameron with answers or perhaps ebuttals.
there was a curious refrain from Cameron: Why does Miliband not ask a question on risk registers (I don't know what that it, but am guessing I'll find out soon); my thought immediately was: Why bother, you won't answer (He barley answered any of the direct questions; managed to on integration when urgged by Miliband a second time).

I can't see Cameron's attacks having much impact on voters.

Wed, 2012-02-22 14:47 — elrob

oops
I meant to write: Cameronwas often on the ropes, but came back punching.

Wed, 2012-02-22 15:01 — nourredine (not verified)

Mr Milliband has dropped the thought in people's mind and it is comparing the health bill with the poll tax that will resonate more in people minds.
The pre-election has started.
I don't think the Lib/Dem will go till 2015.

Wed, 2012-02-22 15:34 — Mizar (not verified)

Cameron is such a loser.

Wed, 2012-02-22 15:42 — la potenza della speranza (not verified)

@David Wearing

Brilliantly put! Gave me a chuckle.

Wed, 2012-02-22 15:49 — John Dessauer (not verified)

Cameron fails to grasp that the National Health Service is one of the few things that the British people really care about. He will learn and the sooner the better, that you tamper with it at your peril.

Wed, 2012-02-22 16:32 — Olu Ojedokun (not verified)

Ed is getting more and more relaxed and getting under Cameron skin, Cameron's response is his insults as usual. Risk registers? As you rightly stated that simply does not resonate with the public.

Wed, 2012-02-22 16:50 — frances smith (not verified)

i thought miliband was better, and he was definitely more relaxed.

which is movement in the right direction, though it will be cameron who loses the election, not miliband wo wins it, but cameron seems strangely unaware of the risk he is taking with the nhs bill, its almost as if he actually believes what andrew lansley is telling him.

which is strange.

but then i was listening to david willets on the radio the other day and thinking what a terrible waffler he was, so maybe cameron just likes them.

it will be his downfall, his weakness for wafflers.

Wed, 2012-02-22 16:51 — frances smith (not verified)

...............and iain duncan smith, his thought processes are incomprehensible.

Thu, 2012-02-23 09:54 — Reginald-Fah-fah

I agree with Prime Minister David Cameron that labour have a real problem with a lack of leadership. Ed Miliband was a bit more statesment like, but not much chaps!!!

The 'Bone Family' are asking the correct questions!!!!

Follow Reginald Fah-fah and Keep Ken away!!!!
https://www.conservatives.com/DonateLondon.aspx

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