PMQs: Pantomime horses and leadership coups

PMQs is often derided as political pantomime with little wider meaning. That’s not always true, and some sessions can make a real difference: Ed Miliband’s battering two weeks ago sharpened Labour concerns over his leadership, and his rally last week steadied the ship.

But today’s exchange have done little to change the terms of trade between the parties, with neither the PM nor Mr Miliband really getting up to full pace with any of their deliveries.

In a fairly weak field, Mr Miliband can claim best (scripted) gag of the day, deriding Nick Clegg as “the back end of the pantomime horse.”

But Mr Cameron matched it with his own comeback, alluding to Labour doubts about Mr M and warning his opponent he may soon be getting advice to “look behind you” for attacks from his coup-prone party.

No, not classic stuff. Overall, a no-score draw.