As the Chancellor, George Osborne, prepared to deliver this afternoon's Autumn Statement, commentators assumed that Labout leader Jeremy Corbyn would take a line of questioning which explored government spending and cuts.
However, Corbyn confounded expectations by asking questions about the forthcoming Paris Climate Change Conference next week and he called on the prime minister to explain why Conservative councils were not emulating 55 Labour councils which have committed to 100 per cent clean energy by 2050 and why his government had denuded the renewable energy industry of funding.
Bizarre focus of questioning from Corbyn. People concerned about security and he's talking renewable energy. #PMQs
— Nick Faith (@nickfaith82) November 25, 2015
and that
David Cameron responded that his government had supported the renewable industry and that cuts to solar subsideies and feed-in tarrifs were justified to ensure lower enwergy bills for all.
Jezza, solar has come down significantly in cost. It will compete with other tech for subsidies. Now ask a decent q. #PMQs
— Nick Faith (@nickfaith82) November 25, 2015
Corbyn leads #PMQs with suggestion that "Britain has gone backwards on renewable energy". Cameron says govt has found "the right balance".
— Bellenden (@BellendenLtd) November 25, 2015
Corbyn followed up by questioning the government's record on domestic violence and women's refuges, leaving commentators baffled that he was not adressing the issues which many thought were the order of the day.
Beyond baffled that Corbyn is going on green energy & violence against women. Does he realise what day it is?
— Nathan Jones (@n_b_jones) November 25, 2015
However, Cameron deftly turned the question into an opportunity to give a hint of the Chancellor's forthcoming announcements in the autumn statement.
Further questions from Angus Robertson, SNP, asked about the Government's policy on Syria, which commentators said, was what Corbyn should have been talking about instead of climate change and domestic violence.
SNP asking some serious questions on Syria - take note Corbyn. #PMQs
— Nick Faith (@nickfaith82) November 25, 2015
In all, not the best performance from the Labour leader and a missed opportunity to call the Government to account.
Curious choice of topics from Corbyn today. Perhaps a missed opportunity to focus on the economy, and therefore a win for Cameron #PMQs
— Pagefield (@PagefieldLondon) November 25, 2015
