Setting the tone for his final PMQs — which are often fiery affairs — Cameron joked to the House of Commons that apart from an appointment with the Queen, his afternoon's schedule was "remarkably light."
David Cameron will take his final session of Prime Minister's Questions at 12 noon. Watch #PMQs live https://t.co/bzmxEI6Cxz @Number10gov
— House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) July 13, 2016
Ulster Unionist Party member Danny Kinahan continued with the playful mood, thanking Cameron for his work in Northern Ireland, while speculating that he may now be available for a number of currently vacant high profile jobs like coach of the English football team, host of Top Gear and even president of the US.
Top Gear presenter is not a bad idea — Jeremy Clarkson is a neighbour of Cameron's after all in Oxforshire #PMQs
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) July 13, 2016
Not to be outdone, Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn joined the fray, joking that he shared the same concerns as incoming PM Theresa May, who had earlier expressed worries over "unscrupulous bosses," which was met with a rapture of laughter in the Commons.
David Cameron's last ever PMQs is turning into a comedy show, with all the top gear/ football/ empty diary jokes #PMQs
— Rebecca Hutchinson (@CF_Rebecca) July 13, 2016
Despite it being his last time speaking from the dispatch box, Cameron fired back, highlighting Labour's internal problems and likening Corbyn to the Black Knight character in the Monty Python films.
David Cameron compares Jeremy Corbyn to Monty Python's Black Knight. "He has been kicked so many times…" #pmqs pic.twitter.com/Rz4RxsPvZb
— Asa Bennett (@asabenn) July 13, 2016
"I'm beginning to admire his tenacity. He reminds me of the Black Knight in Monty Pythons Holy Grail. He's been kicked so many times but he says 'keep going, it's only a flesh wound'. I admire that," Cameron said.
Even Corbyn aides smiled at Cameron Monty Python Black Knight gag. Just as they smiled at the "can't even sort their rules" jibe. #PMQs
— Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) July 13, 2016
Mums, Cats and Fashion Advice
Corbyn then moved onto family, paying tribute to Cameron's wife Samantha and his children, before thanking Cameron's mother for her "extremely kind" fashion advice.
"I'd also like him to pass on my thanks to his Mum for her advice about ties and suits and socks," Corbyn said.
Finally, a decent joke from Corbyn —thanks Cameron's mother for advice on ties and suits. Judging by his appearance today, it's worked #PMQs
— Sebastian Payne (@SebastianEPayne) July 13, 2016
The jibe came after Cameron, when questioned earlier this year on what his mother would think of the government's public service cuts, told Corbyn: "I know what my mother would say. I think she'd look across the dispatch box and she'd say: 'Put on a proper suit, do up your tie and sing the national anthem'."
It's official. David Cameron loves Larry. We all do 🐱#PMQs
— Carrie Symonds (@carrie_symonds1) July 13, 2016
Acknowledging the fame of Corbyn's cat, El Gato, Cameron led the playful mood onto the topic of pets, saying he wanted to put to bed the rumor that he didn't love Larry, 10 Downing Street's resident cat, before showing the house photos of himself with the cat.
David Cameron, you old flirt #PMQs ❤️❤️❤️
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) July 13, 2016
Debate Over Legacy
However, it wasn't all fun and games in the Commons, with Corbyn attacking the rate of homelessness over the past six years, while Scottish National Party (SNP) representative Angus Robertson slammed Cameron's premiership, saying he will forever be remembered as the prime minister who took "Scotland out of the EU against the wish of Scottish voters."
Corbyn praised Cameron's achievements in securing the release of British Guantanamo Bay inmate Shaker Aamer and legalising same sex marriage under his watch.
Oh that's nice — Cameron says one of best moments as PM was someone working on door at Downing St thanking him over gay marriage
— Anushka Asthana (@GuardianAnushka) July 13, 2016
In his final remarks Cameron said he was proud of his time as prime minster and didn't regret holding the EU referendum that ultimately led to his premature resignation.
Cameron ended by reusing quotes he had said about former PM Tony Blair in his first PMQs appearance in 2005, however this time in a self-deprecating manner.
"I was the future once" — that Cameron mic drop pic.twitter.com/UU3vnv8Fpg
— Esther Webber (@estwebber) July 13, 2016
"The last thing I would say is that you can achieve a lot of things in politics. You can get a lot of things done. And that in the end, the public service, the national interest, that is what it is all about. Nothing is really impossible if you put your mind to it. After all, as I once said, I was the future once."
I can't help but enjoy the grim poetry of Cameron bookending his term with "You were the future once" (to Blair) & "I was the future once."
— Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Hello_Tailor) July 13, 2016
He was met with a standing ovation from his own Conservative Party MPs as he left the Commons for the last time as prime minister.
