This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7178417.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Clegg prepares for first PM clash Clegg prepares for first PM clash
(30 minutes later)
Nick Clegg is preparing for his first Prime Minister's question time as Liberal Democrat leader.Nick Clegg is preparing for his first Prime Minister's question time as Liberal Democrat leader.
The 41-year-old will face Gordon Brown in the House of Commons in the first weekly half-hour session of 2008.The 41-year-old will face Gordon Brown in the House of Commons in the first weekly half-hour session of 2008.
Mr Clegg, who beat Chris Huhne to the leadership in December, will have two questions in which to make an impact.Mr Clegg, who beat Chris Huhne to the leadership in December, will have two questions in which to make an impact.
Vince Cable, who became acting leader after Sir Menzies Campbell quit, received widespread praise for his witty contributions to question time.Vince Cable, who became acting leader after Sir Menzies Campbell quit, received widespread praise for his witty contributions to question time.
TIMINGS Prime Minister's questions lasts from 1200 to 1230. You can watch it live from this page. End of two-party system?Clegg's frontbench team TIMINGS Prime Minister's questions lasts from 1200 to 1230. You can watch it live from this page. End of two-party system?Clegg's frontbench team class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6268466.stm">PM's first Commons clash class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/4505250.stm">Cameron's debut as leader
The weekly joust between the prime minister, leaders of the opposition and MPs, is a notoriously rowdy affair in which members have to almost shout to get themselves heard.The weekly joust between the prime minister, leaders of the opposition and MPs, is a notoriously rowdy affair in which members have to almost shout to get themselves heard.
Unlike the prime minister and leader of the opposition, the Lib Dem leader does not have a dispatch box from which to ask his questions.Unlike the prime minister and leader of the opposition, the Lib Dem leader does not have a dispatch box from which to ask his questions.
No dispatch boxNo dispatch box
The Lib Dem leader also suffers from having only two questions compared with Conservative leader David Cameron's six questions.The Lib Dem leader also suffers from having only two questions compared with Conservative leader David Cameron's six questions.
And in both cases the occasion is structured in a way which means the prime minister always has the last word in any exchange.And in both cases the occasion is structured in a way which means the prime minister always has the last word in any exchange.
The subject chosen by Mr Clegg, an ex-journalist, former Euro MP and the Lib Dems' third leader in two years, will be closely watched for signs of his priorities as leader.The subject chosen by Mr Clegg, an ex-journalist, former Euro MP and the Lib Dems' third leader in two years, will be closely watched for signs of his priorities as leader.
As a new leader Mr Clegg's initial task is to raise his public profile - there is widespread debate about the importance of the Commons questions sessions on voters' views.As a new leader Mr Clegg's initial task is to raise his public profile - there is widespread debate about the importance of the Commons questions sessions on voters' views.
But the experience of past Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell - and Iain Duncan Smith for the Conservatives - suggests that poor performances can damage a leader's standing with their own MPs.But the experience of past Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell - and Iain Duncan Smith for the Conservatives - suggests that poor performances can damage a leader's standing with their own MPs.