Moon Of Liberty Politics – PMQ’s

Prime Ministers Questions – 11th Jan 2017

Corporation tax call sees Corbyn throw victory away

The first Prime Minister’s Questions of the New Year saw Jeremy Corbyn begin on comfortable ground. He started with condolences to a member of the armed forces, which quietly embarrassed Theresa May from the off as it is normally the PM who brings that up first in the early backbench questions.This is something David Cameron always did and for Theresa May to be doing it in response to the Leader of the Opposition is poor.

Unusually for Corbyn there were no surprises in the tack he took, straight on on the NHS problems which is one area he and Labour still have some strength in the public mind. He raised the Red Cross claim that what has happened is a ‘Humanitarian Crisis.’ May responded the Red Cross claim was ‘irresponsible and overblown.’ Corbyn the backed up with quotes from the BMA and Royal college of Nurses. May began waffling about the ‘hard work of medical professionals’ as means of diverting from the issue.

Corbyn accused May of being in denial and then raised a real life scenario of ‘Sian’ who had clearly written to him. In the David Cameron days this would bring huge groans from the Tory benches and his case would normally fall apart, it is a nod to how strongly Corbyn had started that this was not the case. May’s response of ‘I accept there have been a small number of cases’ by contrast were met by groans of derision from the Labour benches. Corbyn mocked the ‘shared society’ with more sharing trolleys, corridors etc. Corbyn at this point was on top. It was good stuff.

The turning point was Corbyn mentioning May’s focus on mental health and welcoming that. Not the ting to do when you are on top. He talked about an increase in mental health patients ‘having to go to A&E, May pointed out they should not be going to A&E, using a visit to an Aldershot Hospital and the importance of appropriate care for the individual. On this she spoke with passion and conviction, then Corbyn agreed these people should not be going to A&E after first saying they were forced to.The shambolic Corbyn of the last day or two was back.

May re-iterated the point ‘He may find it difficult to believe people may say the same thing they aid a few weeks ago.’ Poking fun at yesterday’s series at U-Turns. She then resorted to an old David Cameron tactic, that you can’t have a strong NHS without a strong economy. Corbyn then showed his weakness and fell into the trap, calling for Corporation tax cuts that have been shown to bring in more money to be scrapped. May pointed out he has spent that money that would immediately be saved eight times over, weakening the economy in the process.’The last thing the NHS needs is a cheque from Labour that bounces’ After a poor start enough to leave the Tory benches cheering at the end of the exchange, a score draw today that tells us Corbyn can score on the small picture, but May wins on the big picture.

Outside of the May v Corbyn exchange

SNP Leader Angus Robertson brought up the Northern Ireland crisis to call for Article 50 to be delayed, raising derision from both sides of the House. This was rebuffed by May who stated the plan to invoke Article 50 by March is still on course. Norman Lamb (Lib Dem MP for North Norfolk) stated MP’s from all parties had come together to call for a Health convention and wanted May to meet with them, she stated she would.John Woodcock  (Lab MP for Barrow In Furness) raised the special NHS service issues due to remote locations in Cumbria. Caroline Johnson (Con MP for Sleaford & N Hykeham) got to ask her first questions since her by election win, raising her local NHS (She was a doctor prior to becoming an MP.) Gavin Robinson (DUP MP for East Belfast) Praised May’s considered response to the Northern Ireland issue. Finally in the will anyone get told off by the Speaker this week watch, John Bercow reprimanded Paula Sheriff (MP for Dewesbury) for poor behaviour.

MOON OF LIBERTY VERDICT – Thresea May 2 Jeremy Corbyn 2 – A PMQ’s of two halves, Corbyn took the first half, May the second

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Moon Polling – YouGov

Polling

YouGov

10% Tory lead in first released poll of 2016

The first poll of 2016 has been released although the fieldwork appears to have been done before Christmas and as a result the full regional breakdowns are unavailable. The poll piles on more bad news for Jeremy Corbyn and good news for David Cameron giving the Conservatives a headline lead of 10%. UKIP retain a creditable score of 17% and the Liberal Democrats are stuck on 6%.

The poll also asked who is the best party for various topics. The Tories led on the economy, law and order, taxation, unemployment and education. Labour kept a lead on the NHS and Housing, UKIP were ahead on immigration which shows both the main parties need to be careful how they discuss this issue, dismissing UKIP’s arguments are not going to win over the public, however tempting this may seem.

As there is no regional breakdown I have not done a seat projection for this poll, As a result the current Moon of Liberty Average seat projection of all polls remains at a projected Tory majority of 68 as it currently stands.

MOON OF LIBERTY POLL SCOREBOARD

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Yougov Poll released 04/01/2016, Fieldwork 16-17 December 2015

UK Voting Intention – Con 39% Lab 29% UKIP 17% LD 6% Green 3%

PMQ’s – 16th December 2015

PRIME MINISTER’S QUESTIONS

The final PMQ’s before Christmas saw the return of David Cameron verses Jeremy Corbyn after two weeks grace, firstly due to the Syria debate and last week as Cameron was at the Climate Conference in France. Last week Labour had a rare good outing as Angela Eagle stood in to take on George Osborne, the return of the leaders led to the return of the more traditional result.

As Corbyn rose to ask his first question, Tom Watson giggled away as the Tory benches cheered. Corbyn started badly, managing to stumble over his words when simply wishing every one merry Christmas to hoots of derision and he never came close to recovering. He then went on to ask about the NHS, and could Cameron be certain there will be no winter crisis? Cameron ignored that point not surprisingly, then went on the stats, more operations, more doctors, more nurses, and of course, putting more money in due to having a strong economy, which Labour would not.

As Corbyn ploughed on slowly, with pre-prepared lines including data which Cameron’s answers contradicted, it was clear he was lost with no plan B. He asked about transparency, Cameron retorted these figures were not even published before he came to office and allowing Cameron to go on to accuse him of ignoring the unemployment figures suggesting Corbyn does not care about people in work, in line with his economic policies in general.

Corbyn’s only good line was a tenuous link to Cameron’s letter to his Oxford council complaining about cuts a few weeks ago, describing him as part of ‘Oxford’s anti-austerity movment.’ He then want on to waffle about another NHS point which Cameron easily swept aside, again accusing Corbyn of not caring about the unemployment figures or the strong economy that fuunds the NHS, that he says Labour opposed. Challenged with this, Corbyn decided to finally sink to asking ‘question from Abby.’ and the outsourcing of questions that has failed so miserably again and again as if he had nothing more to say himself. The question was long winded and set Cameron up for a final flourish about his record on the NHS and on the economy with this usual list on jobs, employment etc, highlighting lots of Labour’s weaknesses in the process. All too easy for Cameron who easily gets the better of Corbyn yet again. Will Corbyn ever win a PMQ’s? Maybe not.

MOON OF LIBERTY VERDICT – (Out of 5) David Cameron 4 Jeremy Corbyn 1 – Far too easy again for Cameron, I still have not given Corbyn a single win at PMQ’s, he could be the worst leader ever at doing this. It’s becoming embarrassing