PMQs: 3rd February 2010

Brown vs. Cameron

Cameron started with a surprise attack, asking tough questions about Brown's role as Chancellor during the onset of war in Iraq, citing witnesses to the Chilcot Inquiry. While Brown gave a list of statistics, it had to be noted that he did not respond in the Chamber to Cameron's specific questions about witness statements at Chilcot.

In the second tranche of questions, Cameron asked about Brown's proposed alternative vote proposals. Here, Cameron completely wiped the floor with Brown. The unelected PM tried to tag the Conservatives with being in favour of the hereditary system - only for Cameron to point and say that the only hereditary on display was the PM who inherited his post. Cameron then read an extract from the Paddy Ashdown diaries, stating that there were talks between Ashdown and Blair on vote reform and claims that Blair had replied: "I agree, but I can't get it past Gordon".

Our Verdict: Cameron wins big.

Brown did at one stage have a good one liner when he quipped: "It is eight minutes past twelve and the current Conservative policy is..."

Brown vs. Clegg

Defence spending and Trident the centre of questions here. Clegg's position is seemingly that the Cold War is over and we do not need a weapons system designed for a bygone era. Too complex a debate for the exchange of two questions.

Our verdict: No-score draw.

Backbenchers

The Conservatives repeatedly asked questions about Brown's role as Chancellor as the Iraq war got underway, and that is a line of questioning which Brown does seem to appear uncomfortable with.

David Evennett (Conservative) got the session off to a breathtaking start, however, when he asked about claims in the book by former Labour chief Peter Watt and claims about undeclared monies. Brown denied all knowledge.

And who should be the very next person to stand up to ask a question..?

Jacqui 'Expenses' Smith, the authoritarian, civil-liberty eroding, draconian former Home Secretary.