PMQs: constitutional reform
Updated on 10 June 2009
David Cameron and Gordon Brown clash over constitutional reform and public spending at this week's prime minister's questions.
Brown, who was due to make a statement on constitutional reform straight after PMQs, said he had "no plans" for a referendum on the issue before the next general election.
However, David Cameron called on Brown to categorically rule out the referendum, saying that the prime minister had "no plans" to increase taxes in 1997, but had since done so.
Cameron said the Conservatives wanted to keep the existing system of Westminster voting, and challenged Brown over why he was now examining the issue: "Does it have anything to do with the fact his party got 15 per cent of the vote?"
Both leaders united in their condemnation of the British National party, which won two seats under a proportional representation system of voting in the European parliament.
Cameron said we had seen the drawbacks of proportional representation when "fascist thugs" of the BNP were elected on Sunday.
Brown said had never supported proportional representation for a Westminster parliament.
"Let us all take action together to expose the racist and bigoted policies of the BNP," he said.
Cameron started by saying how pleased he was to "see the prime minister in his place" - a reminder of the turbulent week of ministerial resignations that threatened Brown's leadership.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg took Gordon Brown to task over housing, saying that we have had "more announcements than new homes".
Brown said he disputed Clegg's figures, saying Labour had brought in measures to protect people from repossession since January, and was bringing in a programme of investment in social housing.
