Match of Today: David Cameron v Ed Miliband

Miliband tried yet another change of tactics, this time asking his questions in an undertaker's whisper. It worked. Cameron had nothing to react against and failed to shine.

Labour's leader asked three about Libya, chiding the PM for last week's fumbles and yesterday's RAF redundancies. But he only started to score when he lashed the closure of children's centres by councils like Bromley. "He's the Prime Minister, he should get a grip."

Cameron had one great moment: After being ribbed about Coalition U-turns he jibed with perfect timing: "In a minute you'll give me lessons on family loyalty." He blamed Labour for the cuts and council leaders for the closures.

But Labour MPs barracked the PM noisily and at one stage the PM dried up in mid flow, apparently stupefied because Ed Balls and Dougie Alexander were mimicking him.

Cam's final joke ("Brother, where art thou?") was wooden.

PS: Balls says he was not mimicking Cameron but gesticulating wildly because the PM had wrongly claimed that the West Coast Main Line goes to Cardiff.

Score: Cameron, 1. Miliband, 3

* You might expect the Lib-Dems to be vehemently opposed to British military action in Libya, but a joke is going round that it presents an ideal opportunity to split from the Coalition and regain a single-party identity.

* Rival spinners are having fun with the coverage of Craig Oliver's first day as Cameron's director of communications. After a photo of him arriving at No 10 laden with gadgets attracted less-than-flattering comments, one said: "You know what they say when the spin doctor becomes the story..."

"These are extraordinary circumstances"
Home Secretary Theresa May warns police officers to expect a pay cut

Going places: Tourism minister John Penrose urging the Border Agency to cut queues at ports and airports.
Out of sorts: Health minister Simon Burns raising fears over A&E closures in London