David Cameron under siege at PMQs but Ed Miliband rains fire on Lib Dems

Published on Wednesday 8 December 2010 17:02

DAVID Cameron found himself under siege in a fiery Prime Minister's questions on the issue of tuition fees ahead of today's crucial vote.

Labour leader Ed Miliband concentrated his fire on the Liberal Democrats over their disarray about how to vote on tuition fees, saying: "There are 57 Liberal Democrats, they are split four ways. That's something, even for the Liberal Democrats.

"Things are so bad the Honourable Member for Birmingham Yardley (John Hemming] is offering his own unique solution to the vote tomorrow: he says if you run quickly you can vote both ways."

In a reference to the spying allegations surrounding Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock's Russian aide, Mr Miliband joked: "If the Kremlin were spying on the Liberal Democrats we know why: they want a bit of light relief, frankly."

But Mr Cameron responded that it was Labour which was being opportunist and failing to keep its promise by ignoring the Browne report which Labour commissioned. He added: "You can't attack a plan if you don't have a plan. The fact is you went into the last election with a 25 per cent cut planned in the Business Department and you have got absolutely no way of making the numbers add up."

Labour's Kerry McCarthy suggested appropriate song titles for the fees vote from one of Mr Cameron's favourite bands, The Smiths, could include Miserable Lie, and I Don't Owe You Anything.

And DUP MP Nigel Dodds compared the Lib Dems unfavourably with Fifa after question marks over the vote to choose the host of the 2018 World Cup.