MP steps up to challenge at PMQs

Ashford MP Damian Green was thrust into the political limelight yesterday (Wednesday) as he prepared to stand in for Theresa May at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Mr Green was taking the place of the PM as she was away from the House of Commons welcoming the King and Queen of Spain to London.

His first appearance at the dispatch box as Mrs May’s deputy comes at a testing time for the party, with speculation continuing over the prospect of the PM facing a leadership challenge.

Asked about the prospect of taking PMQs, Mr Green said: “I am both looking forward to it and there is an element of trepidation about it too.”

The gladiatorial nature of the weekly event makes PMQs one of the toughest political challenges and most leaders admit – usually on their retirement or resignation – that they found the 30-minute ritual something they dread.

Former Conservative party leader and Folkestone & Hythe MP Michael Howard admitted that he found it hard to score points against then PM Tony Blair, saying: “Tony Blair was master of the art and usually got the better of me, although I did have my moments.”