Not that Brown needed his hand held today. Safe on his home ground of the economy, the PM looked confident and even relaxed at times. Cameron called for more government action to force the banks to lend to customers - taking his cue from an early morning radio interview by Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, who as usual will get no credit for it.

The Tory leader got off to a slow start but eventually got into his stride, accusing Brown of refusing to admit what other ministers have said - that taxes will have to rise in the medium term to finance his "borrowing binge" and next week's tax cuts. Brown won a points victory. He had resolved beforehand not to say what the Tories wanted him to - that Cameron's decision to no longer match Labour's spending plans would result in "Tory [spending] cuts." The PM branded the Tories the "do nothing party", saying they would deprive families and businesses of the help they needed now to get through the downturn. Brown aides say there will be plenty of time to contrast the parties' spending plans. They are convinced Cameron has goofed by appearing to oppose immediate help for people. No doubt the Tories will propose more such measures soon. The rules of the game are changing fast.