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Ask a leading question, get a slap-down

The Sketch

Thomas Sutcliffe
Wednesday 23 June 1999 23:02 BST
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WILLIAM HAGUE chose Northern Ireland as the ground for his first jab at the Prime Minister yesterday, reminding Tony Blair of his unequivocal words about violence on the morning of the referendum on the Northern Ireland Agreement, and then inviting him to say whether he thought any of his conditions for an Assembly had been met. Mr Blair rose with the look he always wears for questions on Northern Ireland - a look which is above political cosmetics and wears just a splash of anguished hesitation behind the ears. "Not yet," he said effectively, and then he reminded Mr Hague that his wasn't the first government to decide that a few murders and beatings might be preferable to many.

Many members on both sides were so affected by the gravity of his demeanour that they forgot to join in the ceremonial booing of Paddy Ashdown when he stood up, a surprising breach of Parliamentary tradition. Mr Ashdown took Mr Blair's part, noting that the Good Friday Agreement was "the only vehicle we have for peace" and issuing a sharp rebuke to those who preferred to "play politics at home" rather than lend a hand in helping to push it to the nearest petrol station. Mr Hague kept his seat, content to let someone else have a go.

Michael Fabricant tried first, asking how Mr Blair would vote in a referendum on proportional representation. "I will obviously listen to the debate," said Mr Blair, a broad grin confessing to the naked cheek of this evasion. "That'll be the first time," said a still, small voice. Then Mr Hague rose again to wave the euro in Mr Blair's face. The Prime Minister quoted a recent statement on Conservative plans for the future - "Whether our party will change its policy," he read out, "will depend on what the right policy is at the time." Labour backbenchers roared obediently as if this was the very acme of absurdity, which was odd, since it is an admirably succinct summary of the current Labour position.

The last question of the day came from Jackie Ballard - who as a leading Liberal Democrat leadership candidate now took delivery of the mocking groan which should have gone to Mr Ashdown earlier. "I would like to ask the Prime Minister about leadership," she said. This wasn't a request for Tony's Top Ten Tips for Getting On In Politics, but a preamble to a slightly gauche assault on Mr Blair's own stand on the euro. Would he give a lead or was his concept of leadership simply to follow the focus groups, she asked. Mr Blair gave her some complimentary instruction in superiority - "I'm really wounded by that - I really am," he said offhandedly. Lesson one? Crush the opposition, however unthreatening it might be.

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