He was self assured (not something that any of his critics have doubted), fair and firm. The highlight was that he kept the hullaballoo down and made sure that as many questions were asked of Gordon Brown.

After the Prime Minister sat down at the last question, John Bercow read out a brief statement laying down some more of the expectations that he has on MP’s from all sides of the chamber. Chief amongst these was that he is demanding that Ministers announce emerging policy, facts and figures and the like to Parliament first, they must not speak to the media first.

Given that this Government spins like Spitfire’s propeller, it is going to be a real test of Bercow’s authority when one of them breaks this rule. Oh, and they will break it…

I am going to give the new Speaker 8 out of 10, he would have got 10 out of 10 if he had said, “Order, order, the Prime Minister hasn’t answered that question, would the Right Honourable Gentleman please answer it!”