Sentences with phrase «despatch box»

The chancellor, who will deliver his fourth Budget from the Commons despatch box on Wednesday lunchtime, used a newspaper article to offer a defiant reply to those who have questioned his «plan A» of harsh spending cuts and tax rises.

Miliband is still winning the long game on this, but in terms of despatch box performance, it was Cameron wot won it.

This week's statement, in essence a mini-Budget, gave the chancellor an opportunity to return to the Commons despatch box and rebuild his political stock after his personal satisfaction ratings fell to the lowest for any chancellor since Ken Clarke.

And the logical consequences of everyone resigning was that there would be an empty despatch box across the table from ministers.

Ivan Lewis is having his first despatch box moment as shadow Northern Ireland secretary.

The memory of Nick Clegg's simply awful debut at the PMQs despatch box is a painfully exquisite one.

The relative merits of government and opposition aside, Ed Miliband gave one of the most relaxed, affable and steely despatch box performances I've seen from him yet.

I refer, of course, to William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, and in particular, to his brilliant Despatch Box performance during the Second Reading debate of the Bill to approve the Lisbon Treaty back in January.

Ms Harman, who is steelier and tougher than she comes across on TV or at the Commons despatch box, says the new party leader will be handed an «unprecedented» opportunity to get back into government.

Barry Gardiner complained that Labour had left an «empty despatch box» at a critical point in Britain's history amid the «crisis» brought about by David Cameron's «needless» referendum.

The Commons exchanges also saw Labour backbencher John Woodcock say shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry was «not fit to stand at that despatch box» after she warned many foreign parties were now acting like the Assad regime.

Mr Woodcock, as Ms Thornberry spoke, could be heard saying: «You are not fit to stand at that despatch box.»

When Cameron barked «weak» across the despatch box, Miliband countered: «What could be weaker than 91 MPs [rebelling]?»

This week's warm - up for PMQs is Scottish questions, which gives Lib Dem Cabinet minister Michael Moore another opportunity to clock up some time at the despatch box.

When it comes to his despatch box performances, Ed Miliband is barely living up to his job title as leader of the opposition.

Ministers standing at the despatch box will continue to be held responsible for local decisions over which they no longer have any control.

11:57 - In the Commons right now, Stephen Crabb, who has a beard and is quite young, is answering questions from the despatch box.

He added: «I expect to be taking on Mr Gideon George Osborne from the despatch box in a few years, and I'll show him a real northern powerhouse».

Fresh from his bruising battle with Ed Balls last Thursday, he's once again being very animated across the despatch box.

However, she still managed to boost the morale of colleagues with a strong showing at the despatch box.

Cameron, who had a good day at the despatch box and was widely considered to have won the clash, replied: «The reason his leadership is in crisis is he can't speak on the big issues.

Angela Smith, the shadow deputy leader of the Commons, defends New Labour's record from the despatch box.

Nearly a month has passed since news of the Commission's fate was revealed, but the communities and local government secretary was summoned to the despatch box by Labour MPs angry at the decision following an urgent question.

Tory MP Peter Lilley praised Cameron for his «mastery of the despatch box», while Conservative veteran Ken Clarke gave a warm tribute urging for him to remain a prominent figure on the green benches.

During the 30 - minute session, Cameron revealed he had answered more than 5,500 at PMQs during his six year tenure, and displayed some of his customary wit at the despatch box.

Cameron seemed more at a loss at the despatch box than at any time before.

In her first session at the despatch box 48 hours after joining the Cabinet, Truss said she had decided to progress with the government's two culling pilots this autumn after speaking with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs» (Defra) scientific adviser.

Indeed, it was his appeal to backbenchers, made from the despatch box itself, that soothed the revolt.

«Just nod,» the PM mocked, staring across the despatch box.

One of my most surprising ministerial lunch dates of the last government was with Yvette Cooper, who couldn't have been further from the humourless, hectoring figure she cut on TV and at the Despatch Box.

None of this is to say that Mr Cameron, Mr Brown or Mr Clegg actually enjoy their weekly encounter over the despatch box.

Ever since he stepped up to the despatch box, Miliband has lacked that knockout punch.

«He's got to get to this despatch box and disassociate himself from those disgraceful remarks,» Cameron ordered.

14:25 — Fresh from his very tough appearance opening up the Lords reform second reading debate (which will resume at about 16:15 this afternoon), deputy prime minister Nick Clegg faces his monthly hour answering questions at the despatch box this afternoon.

And in half an hour's time he'll be at the despatch box once again.

And he pulled no punches at the despatch box.

His PMQs are getting better against Theresa May who is weak at the despatch box.

Watching the frenzied exchanges over the despatch box that followed, I found myself involuntarily thinking of Robbie Williams titles that Miliband might have deployed as a comeback.

Next Monday the prime minister will come face to face with those backbenchers — well, sort of — when he answers their questions at the despatch box.

Osborne's speech drew plaudits from Labour MPs, with John Woodcock calling it «the speech that should have been made from our despatch box».

«But I always said that if those assurances turned out to be wrong I would apologise fully and frankly to this House of Commons and I do so today from this despatch box.

Balls told Osborne across the despatch box that, after today's statement, «people can see the true scale of the government's economic failure».

Asquith as a minister, and later Prime Minister, had a reputation for inebriation, not least at the despatch box, and hence his nickname «Squiff».

Summing up for the Opposition was his colleague in the Treasury team, Greg Hands, who also put in a robust performance at the Despatch Box.

With Cameron at the G20 summit, and Clegg at the Rio +20 Conference, Hague took to the despatch box for the day.

The Labour leader will make the case against bombing from the Despatch Box when the Syria debate takes place.

The minister's political future is likely to come down to the nature of email communications between himself and his special adviser, Adam Smith, whose «inappropriate behaviour» was condemned by Mr Hunt at the despatch box in parliament last week.

To date, Clark is the only MP to have been accused in the House of Commons of being drunk at the despatch box.

Alan Clark Following a wine tasting with friend Christopher Selmes, Clark took to the despatch box opposite Clare Short, who accused him of being incapable».