Blair chews up, spits out Menzies Campbell

thisislondon: Campbell mocked in clash with Blair

Liberal Democrat leadership contender Sir Menzies Campbell's campaign to succeed Charles Kennedy got off to a poor start, as he was subjected to a barrage of jeers in the House of Commons.

As acting leader of the Lib Dems, Sir Menzies has a weekly opportunity to grill Tony Blair at Question Time in the House, a high-profile showcase which some observers believe could give him an advantage over his only declared rival, home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten.

But the man touted as a "safe pair of hands" to take the party through the next election slipped up, offering MPs of other parties an open goal by challenging the Prime Minister over the number of schools which do not have a permanent headteacher.

He was forced to stand stony-faced as gleeful Labour backbenchers hooted with laughter and pointed to the Lib Dems, themselves lacking a leader since Mr Kennedy's forced resignation last weekend.

Mr Blair rubbed home the embarrassment by commenting: "It can be difficult to find a permanent head of an organisation when the post is vacant - particularly if it is a failing organisation." Link

db: It's just no good pretending that 'Sir Menzies' is going to get anything more than weekly humiliation at PM's question time if he becomes leader of the Liberal Democrats. The old chap is no killer. Simon Hughes is preferable to Mark Oaten - who comes across like a photocopier salesman - but he needs to scrub up a bit. Whichever route they take they are doomed - they missed their chance.