Harriet Harman shines at PMQs

rwendland Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 03:24:24 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Harriet Harman Harriet Harman performed well at both jokes and content at PMQs today, standing in for Gordon who is at a NATO summit trying to figure out what can still be done in Afghanistan. Both Iain Dale and Kevin Maguire thought Harriet won the occasion.




William Hague must have been flustered, because in his final question he claimed "Council Tax has doubled as of this week-end" - I rewound to double check it made no sense! Can anyone figure out what he was trying to claim?

Even Vince Cable fumbled at PMQs, asking about the Queen, which the speaker blocked as his question.

It was a small moment of history, as she became the first woman to take PMQs for Labour. (Though 30 years after Maggie was PM.) A long time to wait from the Labour female MP influx of 1997.

Good to see Alan Johnson sitting supportively by Harriet, genuinely laughing at her jokes. Must have been a bitter-sweet time for him, which he handled well.

BTW - I think I just saw a Monkey choking on some popcorn!



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Harriet Harman shines at PMQs | 29 comments (29 topical)

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#2)

by Captain Spaulding on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 05:49:15 PM GMT

Yes I noticed the Monkey's comments, the same monkey who is trying to ditch Mr Harman in favour of the ambitious Mr McDonald. So it's all very personal, isn't it. 


Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#3)

by alexhilton on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 05:53:31 PM GMT

I absolutely was not personal. I did watch PMQs and certainly thought Harman did well. Unexpectedly well. She slapped Hague down with some wonderful set pieces, though was very hesitant on issues where she had to think on her feet.

She certainly bested Hague on a day when he should have been trying to convince his own benches of his claim for the leadership should Cameron lose the next election.

If only Gordon would prepare so well.


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#5)

by Captain Spaulding on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 06:12:56 PM GMT

If your comments about Harriet weren't personal, then I'm a monkey. Would you now droolingly describe William Hague as the "exocet missile of parliamentary debate"? Shall I quote your words in full?


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#27)

by alexhilton on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 11:42:58 AM GMT

Droolingly?

I didn't make up Hague's reputation as a parliamentary performer. On paper, anyone would have  predicted that Harriet would be a sea against him.

The fact is that she was far better than predicted and Hague looked as surprised as everyone else.

Still don't see how that's a personal attack - I have a lot of time for her - she got my Deputy Leadership vote after it transferred from Benn.


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#6)

by archbold on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 08:22:44 PM GMT

Ambitious? But haven’t you just stepped down from being the PPC for South West Bedfordshire to become the European candidate for Eastern England?   tut tut Captain Spaulding I think you are being a little hypocritical!

Well done Harriet.


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#12)

by Captain Spaulding on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 09:27:32 AM GMT

As a member of a team headed by a superb MEP I am indeed ambitious for the European cause. Glad we're all agreed that Harriet did well yesterday, and let's concentrate on helping Labour in the local/London elections - and maybe leave the monkey business to the Tories?


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#4)

by renton on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 05:54:48 PM GMT

She was great - especially the waspish comment about baseball hats - it stung - he winced.  As for the stabproof vest, I'm surprised she didn't call it a defensive gilet.  Looked good, I thought.


Who sat on Harriet's right? (#7)

by rwendland on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 08:42:52 PM GMT

Excuse my ignorance, but who sat on Harriet's right? He was unanimated and often looked at his feet. Not an ideal person for the TV at PMQs:

who 


Re: Who sat on Harriet's right? (#8)

by swatantra on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 09:35:06 PM GMT

She did well; she even surprised herself; but its only a one-off. Brown should seriously think about appointing a DPM, now, a heavy weight, say Alan Johnson, to step in whenever he is away from the Commons.


[ Parent ]

Re: Who sat on Harriet's right? (#13)

by Josh FG on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 10:36:40 AM GMT

So based on a good performance you think that Johnson should be appointed contrary to the wishes of party members?
 
Am I right in assuming you supported AJ for deputy leader of the Labour Party?


[ Parent ]

Re: Who sat on Harriet's right? (#14)

by swatantra on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 12:08:13 PM GMT

No, I supported Jon Cruddas for DL because the Party needed a root and branch shakeup, and still does, and Harriet second. But the DPM is a different kettle of fish and left to the PM to name; so far he hasn't; but the time has now come to appointment someone with a bit more clout, like Johnson. And it would be a good appointment; if you remember he came a very close second to Harman. The two posts DL and DPM should be kept separtate. The first is to knock the Party into shape; the second is to knock the MP's into shape, and deliver us a 4th Term.


[ Parent ]

Re: Who sat on Harriet's right? (#15)

by lastword on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 11:35:04 PM GMT

I fully agree.  This is why I supported Cruddas.  I personally don't think Harman's got anywhere near reforming the party.  I am waiting to be inspired.


[ Parent ]

Re: Who sat on Harriet's right? (#9)

by bigpapi on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 10:03:37 PM GMT

Paul Murphy, replaced Peter Hain as Secretary of State for Wales - he's never gone for the "yah-boo" politics of PMQ's - one reason why all the Welsh parties welcomed his return to Cabinet.


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#10)

by AlanJi on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 11:21:03 PM GMT

When my CLP nominated her, I told the open members' meeting that Harriet Harman has the knack of making put-down's and strong arguments without coming across as aggresssive.

I think Hague is a tough oppoent and she'll eat the Tory front bench alive.


Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#11)

by NorthernMonkey on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 01:17:25 AM GMT

Just watched it on Sky News. Well done Harriet - it's not easy to beat Hague but she did it.


Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#16)

by Al on Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 02:28:12 PM GMT

I'm not suggesting Brown usually gets the better of Cameron but I would point out that a couple of times in the last few weeks he's either slightly bested Cameron or at least got a score draw. He has got better at least!


Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#17)

by Mark Wadsworth on Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 02:47:32 PM GMT

In reply to you question about Council Tax, what he means is that average Council Tax is now twice what it was in 1997.


Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#18)

by NorthernMonkey on Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 06:38:45 PM GMT

Mark, didn't you used to support Labour? Or am I confusing you with someone else?


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#19)

by Mark Wadsworth on Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 07:08:44 PM GMT

I am one of the many millions of disgruntled ex-Labour voters. I've only been actively interested in politics for two years or so. Having seen Labour in action for ten years in the most favourable economic climate ever .... draw your own conclusions.


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#20)

by NorthernMonkey on Sat Apr 05, 2008 at 12:50:30 AM GMT

So why were you Labour a year ago, but not now? Was it the change from Blair to Brown?

And what would make you change back?


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#21)

by Mark Wadsworth on Sat Apr 05, 2008 at 12:35:17 PM GMT

The last time I voted Labour was 2001, after that the scales fell from my eyes. I'd support any party that truly has the interests of The People at heart, the least-worst party at the moment is by far and away UKIP, as it happens.


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#22)

by swatantra on Sat Apr 05, 2008 at 06:20:03 PM GMT

Give us a break! The least worst Party? UKIP. Have you read their manifesto? Do you know that their MEP's are comedians, pocketing their euro's while protesting against membership of the EU. I'd put you down as a reasonable person with an interest in politics. But now I'm having second thoughts.


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#23)

by Mark Wadsworth on Sat Apr 05, 2008 at 08:34:29 PM GMT

The bits that I've read are perfectly OK.

To be fair to the MEPs, their stated aim from the onset was to try and get us out of the EU, sure they are getting paid for it, so what? How is that worse than being elected on the basis of offering a referendum and then going back on that?

As it happens, I couldn't care less about 'politics' I care about low- to average earners. Whoever comes up with policies that will help them gets my support.


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#24)

by jkitleft on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 10:27:26 AM GMT

I see an Ann Coulter argument here, i.e. Labour have moved so far to the right, that I'll support UKIP.


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#26)

by Free Socialist on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 12:41:30 PM GMT

Interesting point. Can't see what UKIP will do for low-paid earners however. Their policies a mix of Thatcherism and old style Tory social conservatism.


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#25)

by treborc on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:57:00 AM GMT

Can anyone tell me why I can only write in either bold or italic on here.

Anyway now we know why Hague was trounced at the elections, he was hopeless.

She did not do well, it was they did bloody awful.


Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#28)

by rwendland on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 12:08:30 PM GMT

Are you denying us a small bit of celebration when something has gone well recently?

Harriet Harman on the day simply gave superb ripostes to Hague's first two questions, which had the Labour benches roaring for her, putting Hague off-the-boil. While Hague did a poor job as Tory leader, he is generally regarded to have developed into one of their best speakers and debaters. To have put him up the Tories were obviously looking for a kill, and Hague failed to deliver that even though he gave a decent performance.

If fact toward the end Harriet manouvered to maim in the cut-and-thrust with "On today's performance, he should be worrying about his income as an after-dinner speaker".

Give credit, where credit is due. 


[ Parent ]

Re: Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#29)

by alexhilton on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 12:34:28 PM GMT

Maybe the Tories should have paid Hague a fee - he might have put more effort into it.


[ Parent ]

Re: Harriet Harman shines at PMQs (#30)

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Harriet Harman shines at PMQs | 29 comments (29 topical)