But it seems that in a genius move, Corbyn had left Cameron unable to attack his points as viciously as he usually would because they came from voters.
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Mr Cameron welcomed the change in tone, telling his new Labour adversary that “no-one would be more delighted than me” if PMQs could become a “genuine exercise in asking questions and answering questions”.
The Commons was packed for the first clash between the new Leader of the Opposition and the Conservative premier, which was also Mr Corbyn’s first time speaking at the Dispatch Box. Guests on the show include the Conservative culture minister Ed Vaizey and Labour’s Lisa Nandy. Some argued that it gave Cameron a platform to sell his own message, while others praised the tactics, as the prime minister can not ridicule questions from the electorate. I have taken part in many events across the country and people tell me that this place, our parliament, democracy and the conduct in this place [parliament] is too theatrical.
“They’re declaring war on organised labour”, he said, adding: “The burdens they’re placing… was in fact the strategy used by General (Francisco) Franco”, he said, referring to the Spanish dictator.
“It is my view that we should support the United Kingdom remaining a member of the European Union, notwithstanding the outcome of any renegotiation by the Prime Minister”, Umunna said in a statement.
Mr Corbyn’s warning was backed by a series of union leaders today who accused Mr Cameron of “jeopardising our future in Europe by running around trying to remove social protections of workers”.
Jeremy Corbyn has accused the Tories of being “poverty deniers” and argued austerity is “a political choice not an economic necessity”, in his first speech as party leader.
Former Colchester County High for Girls student Stella Creasy stood for deputy leader of the party, but was beaten by West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson.
Angela Eagle has also been given the task of deputising for Corbyn at Prime Minister’s Question time, the weekly televised battle between the government and the main opposition.
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“The present policy position of the party, decided collectively by the party – and that is the way we make policy in the party; Jeremy is very respectful of that collective approach – is that we accept the principle of the cap but it is not now before Parliament to have a vote to remove it altogether”, she said.
