PMQ's: GORDO'S IN CONTROL

It was always going to be a bit of a bear fight.

Gordon Brown's decision not to hold an election brought him criticism from across the board - not least from journalists who were starting to get into 'campaign coverage mode'. The Conservatives, quietly relieved, said he was running scared and that he didn't hold it because he couldn't guarantee winning it. They said he'd bottled it and in PMQ's today that was the first joke.

One MP asked if the PM might like to visit his local bottle-bank - ho-ho tee hee - yes these people are running the country.

Then it was David Cameron's turn to take the floor. The Tory benches vibrated with excitement, the fight was about to begin. Mr Cameron asked Mr Brown if he continued to change his mind how could the country really trust him. Luckily Mr Brown had been waiting for this question and had prepared a list of things which the Conservatives had changed their minds on over the summer - top of the list was grammar schools. Mr Brown said he wouldn't be taking any lessons from the Tories on making decisions.

Then Mr Camerson accused the PM of copying their ideas on inheritance tax, again the PM was prepared for this one without need of a note. He rattled off the figures and said that the Tories plan wasn't costed.

Mr Cameron, now on a bit of a role, moved to the European Treaty, he asked the PM why he wouldn't hold a referendum and accused him of treating the British people as fools. Mr Brown countered that because every one of the British government's changes had been made to the treaty, there was no need for a referendum and he added that other countries who were thinking of having a referendum had now decided not to do so.

Mr Cameron's comments were, it has to be said, of a generic nature, and Mr Brown did give substantive responses and used statistical detail where needed. The PM landed a heavy blow when he reminded Mr Cameron of his promise to remove punch and judy politics - Mr Cameron had no response.

If the Conservatives were looking to make Gordon Brown look weak today - they categorically failed to do so. David Cameron's performance was strong but he did look like a university student upstart having a debate with his authorative but dour Lecturer. At no point was Mr Brown on the back foot and at no point was he humiliated. I suspect he will rather enjoy his lunch.