An air of Dad's Army

Not the new Tory frontbench

		By Nick Assinder BBC News Online political correspondent

There may be a war on - but that was no excuse for Iain Duncan Smith coming on like Corporal Jones.

In his first question time clash with Tony Blair since his election as Tory leader, the ex-Guardsman appeared all of a fluster.

His answer to every Labour jeer was the same: "they don't like it up 'em" or near enough.

Even Tory MPs found it difficult not to yell out "don't panic" every time he spoke.

And, once the image had taken hold, it was impossible not to look at the opposition benches without recalling Dad's Army.

Oliver "private Pike" Letwin

Foreign Secretary Michael Ancram, with his easy aristocracy, immediately became Wilson.

Michael "something of the night" Howard quickly slipped into the role of black marketeer and spiv private Walker.

Oliver "private Pike" Letwin had already been branded a "stupid boy" by his own party for his tax cutting gaffe during the general election.

And defeated leadership candidate Kenneth Clarke - whose dark presence hangs over the new Tory party like a shroud - could almost be heard whispering "we're all doomed."

The one thing missing, of course, was a Captain Mainwairing.

Unfair to judge yet

He may have been pompous, insecure and from the wrong class, but at least he knew how to lead.

And, with Tony Blair's stock rising by the day - thanks entirely to his performance on the international stage - that is the single thing the Tories need most.

But, judging by Mr Duncan Smith's first question time performance, they are still looking.

It is, of course, hugely unfair to judge the Tory leader by one appearance.

Margaret Thatcher was notoriously useless at the despatch box in her early days and, even at her best, still managed to turn off more voters that she attracted.

John Major was worse. His early question time performances were more sleep-inducing than Valium tablets.

And Blair is...

So it is quite possible that Mr Duncan Smith will defy his critics and, in time, become a powerful question time performer.

Whether that matters or not is a different question.

His predecessor, William Hague, was arguably the best Commons performer any party had seen for decades. But no one seemed to care.

His stock with the public remained virtually unchanged during his time in office.

But it would be a mistake for the new Tory leader to think he can ignore his question time performances.

Those weekly, 30 minute appearances are not defining, but they add to a general impression of each party leaders' authority .

And, by the way, Tony Blair is the vicar.