Last updated at 6:42 PM on 23rd November 2011

Astute observers of Prime Minister's Questions this week may have noticed that Ed Miliband's Parliamentary Private Secretary John Denham appeared to be mouthing along to the Labour leader's questions.

Of course, Denham would have been present at Miliband's PMQs preparation beforehand, and might well carry back-up copies of his boss's questions. However, this lack of spontaneity will do little to alleviate the opinion that Commons debates are little more than a puppet show...