Question Time verdict

Question Time verdict

BBC News Online political correspondent Nick Assinder gives his instant verdict on prime minister's question time from the House of Commons.

Again, the session was dominated by Iraq as frantic diplomacy continues over the next step in the crisis.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The prime minister's big tent is surely not big enough to include the international development secretary and Donald Rumsfeld" - Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith couldn't resist a jibe at Tony Blair after Clare Short's criticism of the prime minister's strategy over Iraq

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KEY ASIDE

"It is complicated at the UN when one nation is saying whatever the circumstances it will veto the resolution" - Tony Blair

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TOUGH TACKLE

Liberal Democrat MP Vincent Cable put the prime minister on the spot over reports that US firms are being invited to bid for a role in a post-war Iraq.

It was an uncomfortable moment for Mr Blair.

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BLAIR'S FUTURE

Mr Blair was asked about whether he felt he needed support from parliament and his own party on Iraq.

"I hope you will understand that it is important that I set out what I believe to be right and in this country's national interest," he said.

"If we do not deal with (Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction) then our world and our country will be a less secure place."

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TOP GAG

"One of the things I've found is that I cannot answer for the comments of every member of every administration around the world - including occasionally my own" - Tony Blair reflects on Ms Short's comments

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FIXTURE LIST

Iraq dominated this session of Prime Minister's Questions with Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith offering his support for Tony Blair while also picking up on comments by cabinet minister Clare Short that accused him of being reckless.

Labour's Peter Bradley urged the prime minister to resist pressure from the US for military action thereby splitting the international community. Instead he wanted Mr Blair to allow time for disarmament to take place by peaceful means.

Tory MP Richard Shepherd asked why the UK and its allies needed a legal basis for any action in Iraq when there was none in the Kosovo war.

Labour's Barry Sheerman praised Mr Blair for the limiting effect the prime minister was having on George Bush.

Conservative Andrew Robathan said government funding for education in Leicestershire had fallen by 1% in "real terms" and he reminded the prime minister of his 'education, education, education' mantra.

Labour's Colin Challen urged the suspension on EU talks over the liberalisation of the provision of services in Europe.

Other issues raised included Indonesia's transition to democracy, the Northern Ireland peace process, the awarding of defence contracts in relation to shipbuilding in the UK and the plight of farmers being forced to leave their industry because they are no longer able to make a living.

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NICK ASSINDER'S VERDICT

Iain Duncan Smith has been looking for something, anything, with which to attack Tony Blair over Iraq.

And at last he has found it - in the formidable, yet mysteriously missing shape of Clare Short.

And he certainly made the most of it. "Short or Rumsfeld - which is it?" he demanded.

This is the woman who has called you reckless - how on earth can you keep her in a cabinet bound by collective responsibility, he demanded.

The prime minister appeared strangely unbothered. He, figuratively, shrugged his shoulders, smiled with weary resignation and said: "I know, what can I do with her. Sack her and make things worse, or keep her and give you a stick to beat me with?"

OK, he didn't actually say that - but it is certainly what he meant.

Astonishing

He even tried to laugh it off, declaring later: "I cannot answer for the comments of every member of every administration around the world (meaning Rumsfeld of course) - including occasionally my own"

That's a pretty astonishing thing for any prime minister to say, even in jest.

His argument was simple - never mind Clare, let's get on with winning this bloody war. And he continued to look strangely unbothered.

Presumably this is the serenity of certainty. He knows exactly what he is going to do.

He's going to push down the UN path to the bitter end, which is in about three or four days' time. Then he is going to war.

And he is going to sack Clare Short. Unless she resigns first, which looks increasingly inevitable.