David Cameron answers final Prime Minister’s Questions
In his final appearance at the weekly confrontation, the outgoing PM said he'd faced over 5,500 questions
David Cameron answered final Prime Minister’s Questions before he formally tenders his resignation to the Queen.
The outgoing leader, who’s been Conservative leader since 2005, used his last appearance to tell the House of Commons he had “addressed 5,500 questions from this despatch box” but added “I’ll leave it to others to work out how many I’ve answered.”
He also paid tribute to Jewish speaker of the Commons John Bercow, saying that: “Because of your belief in letting everyone have their say, I think I’ve done a record of 92 hours of statements from this despatch box.”
The final PMQs also saw Cameron dismiss suggestions he will look to take over as Top Gear host or England manager, joking they “sound even harder” than being PM.
He also stressed his love for Larry the Downing Street cat and swapped warm wishes with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – despite numerous jokes at his opposite number’s expense.
Mr Corbyn, who has survived attempts to remove him from his position by his party paid tribute to the prime minister.
He insisted there will be “plenty more to come” for Theresa May after telling MPs he has asked Mr Cameron 179 questions.
Corbyn thanked Cameron for his service and for helping to release Shaker Aamer from Guantanamo Bay and legislating for equal marriage.
He warned that homelessness has risen for the past six years and looks as though it will continue to rise.
Before his 180th question, Mr Corbyn said: “I’d also like you to pass on my thanks to your mum for her advice about ties and suits and songs.”
Mr Cameron later congratulated Mrs May on becoming the next prime minister, before concluding with closing remarks.
He finished by saying: “I will watch these exchanges from the backbenches, I will miss the roar of the crowd, I will miss the barbs from the Opposition, but I will be willing you on.
“And when I say willing you on I don’t just mean willing on the new Prime Minster at this despatch box or indeed just willing on the frontbench defending the manifesto that I helped to put together.
“But I mean willing all of you on. Because people come here with huge passion for the issues they care about, they come here with great love for the constituencies that they represent.
“And also willing on this place, because yes we can be pretty tough and test and challenge our leaders, perhaps more than some other countries, but that is something we should be proud of and we should keep at it.
“And I hope you will all keep at it and I will will you on as you do.”
Later today, David Cameron will go to Buckingham Palace to resign, before his successor Theresa May will have a meeting with the Queen to formalise her position of prime minister.
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