Cameron taunts PM on 'empty words'

May 7 2008

A beleaguered Gordon Brown has made it clear he is determined to fight on Labour's record in Government despite its disastrous showing in the local elections.

With the crucial Crewe and Nantwich by-election looming, the Prime Minister suffered a further blow overnight with the publication of an opinion poll showing that 55% of Labour voters thought he should quit.

In his first Commons appearance since last week's town hall ballot results, he again sought to paint the Tories as the party of "slick salesmanship" with no substance to their policies.

But he was taunted by Conservative leader David Cameron, who dismissed his promise to listen as "empty words" and who derided his lack of "strong leadership".

As MPs gathered in the Commons chamber for Prime Minister's questions, there were cheers from Tory MPs for new London mayor Boris Johnson, followed by ironic cheers from the Conservative benches for Mr Brown as he took his place.

Mr Cameron opened his attack by accusing Mr Brown of having "lost control" of the Scottish Labour Party after its leader, Wendy Alexander, broke with previous policy to call for a referendum on Scottish independence.

He then denounced the Prime Minister for ignoring demands to halt the closure of sub-post offices and end the prisons early release scheme, despite his promise in the wake of Labour's election mauling to "listen and lead".

"People will conclude that this whole listening exercise is just empty words," Mr Cameron declared.

"We have got a Government that just lurches from one relaunch to another. What's missing is what's really needed and that's a clear vision and some strong leadership for Britain."

Mr Brown responded by accusing the Tory leader of making promises that he could not afford to fulfil.