Cameron calls for general election
Updated on 06 May 2009
David Cameron taunts Gordon Brown that the government is in "terminal decline" as he repeatedly challenges the prime minister to call a general election.
The Tory leader used prime minister's questions to accuse Mr Brown of losing control of his cabinet after Communities Secretary Hazel Blears openly criticised the premier's YouTube performance.
Mr Cameron questioned why Ms Blears had not been sacked and mocked the government's recent performance.
"A series of U-turns, defeats in parliament even when the government has a majority and ministers, including cabinet ministers, openly questioning the authority of the prime minister," Mr Cameron said.
"Does the prime minister agree that these are signs of a government in terminal decline?"
Gordon Brown hit back that the Conservative leader was too concerned with personalities and had "nothing to say about the big issues of the day".
"We're getting on with the business of governing," Mr Brown said.
But Mr Cameron retorted: "The big issue in British politics today is the fact the man that's meant to be leading our country shows such appalling authority."
To loud Tory cheers, Cameron used his last two questions to call for a general election, saying: "If he is so confident of his arguments, so confident of his judgments. If he thinks he is on the right side of these arguments, why doesn't he do what Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair did after four years of a Parliament, and call a general election."
'Saving his own skin'
On his turn to question the prime minister, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said Gordon Brown's "tinkering" with the school complaints procedure will not address the problem of Britain's children being the unhappiest in the developed world or a care system in "crisis".
Mr Clegg accused Mr Brown of not caring about "what's right for the country" instead focusing on "saving his own skin".
Mr Brown said the Government was "doing more to help children realise their potential than ever before".
But he acknowledged: "Of course there is a great deal more to do and of course we are worried about instances of children in care where there has to be reform."
