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Jeremy Corbyn asks David Cameron 'questions from public' Jeremy Corbyn asks David Cameron 'questions from public'
(35 minutes later)
Jeremy Corbyn is asking David Cameron a series of questions emailed to him from members of the public at his debut PMQs in a change to the usual format. Jeremy Corbyn has asked David Cameron a series of questions emailed to him from members of the public at his debut PMQs in a change to the usual format.
The new Labour leader said he wanted a less "theatrical" prime minister's questions with more serious debate.The new Labour leader said he wanted a less "theatrical" prime minister's questions with more serious debate.
Mr Cameron agreed that the weekly sessions should focus more on "substantial" issues.Mr Cameron agreed that the weekly sessions should focus more on "substantial" issues.
Mr Corbyn quizzed Mr Cameron on housing, tax credits and cuts to mental health services.Mr Corbyn quizzed Mr Cameron on housing, tax credits and cuts to mental health services.
It is his first Parliamentary test as Labour leader and will be closely scrutinised. MPs listened in near silence to the exchanges, although noise levels rose back to their normal levels after the Labour leader reached the end of his six questions.
Speaking ahead of PMQs, Mr Corbyn said: "I do not suspect it's going to be easy but then our job is to hold the government to account. Our job is to speak up for ordinary people in this country." BBC Deputy Political Editor Norman Smith said Mr Corbyn had created a "different, calmer atmosphere in the chamber" and it had felt like a "local radio phone-in" at times with questions from the public, although Mr Cameron had not been put under any real pressure.
He was also quizzed about whether he would sing the national anthem at official events, after declining to do so on Tuesday, he said: "I am going to be at many events. I will take part fully in those events." The session began with Mr Cameron congratulating Mr Corbyn on his "resounding victory" in the Labour leadership contest and welcoming him to the frontbench.
Labour sources said this meant Mr Corbyn would be singing the anthem in future, BBC Assistant Political Editor Norman Smith said. He added that "no one would be more delighted than me" if PMQs could become a "genuine exercise in asking questions and answering questions".
Analysis by BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg Mr Corbyn was cheered by Labour MPs as he got to his feet. He thanked those who had voted for him in the contest, adding: "I thought at my first PMQs, I would do it in a slightly different way... So I sent out an email to thousands of people and asked them what questions they would like to put to the prime minister and I received 40,000 replies."
Prime Minister's Questions is Jeremy Corbyn's real shop window for the voting public, not town hall meetings around the country. He then said he was asking a question "from a woman called Marie - 'what does the government intend to do about the chronic lack of affordable housing and the extortionate rents charged by some private sector landlords in this country'?"
And for leaders it is a moment when, traditionally, they have to show they are in command of their party. Mr Cameron said the government had delivered 260,000 affordable housing units in the last parliament and had built more council houses than over the course of the 13 years of the last Labour government.
Jeremy Corbyn is in command of Labour members - the MPs who'll sit behind him at PMQs are another matter. But today is an important test not just for Mr Corbyn personally, but for his new approach - how successful can his new rules be, when everyone else is playing by the old? He added: "But I recognise much more needs to be done."
Read more from Laura Mr Cameron said more reforms of the planning system and the building industry were needed as well as helping people to get on the housing ladder.
Peston: Will Blairites cross floor to Osborne? He added: "We won't get Britain building unless we keep our economy going."
Corbyn's first PMQs: What to expect Before PMQs got under way, Labour sources confirmed Mr Corbyn, who believes in the abolition of the monarchy, will sing the national anthem at official events, after being criticised for not doing so at a service to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Mr Corbyn is the fifth Labour leader to face Mr Cameron across the despatch box over the past decade since he became Conservative leader.Mr Corbyn is the fifth Labour leader to face Mr Cameron across the despatch box over the past decade since he became Conservative leader.
The Islington North MP has said PMQs is too confrontational and that he will refrain from both "repartee" and trading barbs, instead vowing to focus on serious issues such as poverty, inequality and the challenges facing young people.
He has received more than 30,000 emailed suggestions for questions.
Mr Corbyn has said that Angela Eagle, the shadow business secretary, will deputise for him at PMQs when he does not attend - for instance when Mr Cameron is travelling abroad, when deputy leaders traditionally stand in at the despatch box.Mr Corbyn has said that Angela Eagle, the shadow business secretary, will deputise for him at PMQs when he does not attend - for instance when Mr Cameron is travelling abroad, when deputy leaders traditionally stand in at the despatch box.
He has also floated the idea of allowing other colleagues to take the floor on occasion, saying he had approached the Commons Speaker John Bercow to discuss the issue.He has also floated the idea of allowing other colleagues to take the floor on occasion, saying he had approached the Commons Speaker John Bercow to discuss the issue.
The News Channel will be discussing Jeremy Corbyn's first PMQs throughout the day. They are interested to know what you would ask David Cameron if you were Jeremy Corbyn. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your questions.The News Channel will be discussing Jeremy Corbyn's first PMQs throughout the day. They are interested to know what you would ask David Cameron if you were Jeremy Corbyn. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your questions.
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