THINKING ON YOUR FEET IS A TOUGH CALL

TORY MPs were relieved to see Theresa May give Jeremy Corbyn a comprehensive trouncing at Prime Minister’s Questions this week.

Her onslaught from the Despatch Box, culminating in the withering put-down: “He can lead a protest, I’m leading a country”, was seen by many at Westminster as her best performance so far in the weekly clash.

“That was a proper thrashing,” one Tory told me after PMQs on Wednesday.

Those with long memories thought her attack recalled Margaret Thatcher’s frequent demolitions of the pitiful Labour leaders Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock. Some Tories are concerned that while Mrs May has a knack for delivering a clear and carefully calibrated message in a speech, she is not always so sure-footed when acting without a script.

At a recent news conference in Turkey, the Prime Minister first stonewalled and then floundered when asked about US President Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban policies. She had to clarify her position days later.

The episode followed her repeated failure to answer a question in a recent BBC interview about the operational effectiveness of Britain’s nuclear deterrent. But even the most confident and formidable prime ministers get caught out from time to time.

Mrs Thatcher was famously left spluttering by a furious inquisition by a radio phone-in caller about the sinking of the Argentinian warship Belgrano during the Falklands War.

Mrs May gives far fewer interviews and news conferences than her recent predecessors David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. Her aides insist she is a substantial and serious politician who speaks when she has something crucial to stay and is not interested in political stunts and frippery.

It does appear to be an approach in tune with voters fed up with the spin and posturing of the past.

Yet her limited exposure also restricts her experience of having to think on her feet. She is also suffering from facing such a feeble opponent at Prime Minister’s Questions.

While no premier enjoys the session, the close scrutiny at the Despatch Box does test their mettle and force them to be on top of the work of every Whitehall department.

Mr Corbyn’s hopelessness at opposition, by failing to really test Mrs May and her ministers, is letting down the country as well his party.