The end

What was missing in the first half of PMQs today was more than made up in the second half. It had theatre, tears and wit, and ended with a standing ovation for Mr Blair, including the opposition.

Mr Blair's put down of the Liberal Democrat's Richard Younger-Ross showed his mastery of the occasion. Asked about the future of the church in politics, he simply replied "I think I'm really not bothered about that one", and sat down, to cheers.

Asked to promise a referendum on the new EU treaty by a Eurosceptic Tory MP, refused and added to laughter: “Au revoir, auf wiedersehen and arrivederci”.

Mr Blair also told MPs of an urgent letter which arrived by post yesterday at No 10. “Details of employee leaving work. Surname: Blair; first name: T. It said actually: Mr, Mrs, Miss or other. This form is important to you, take good care of it, P45,” he read to laughter.

At the end came the standing ovation. The Conservatives briefly prevaricated over whether they should take part, with Julie Kirkbridge leading the applause before Mr Cameron waved to his party to stand and cheer.

And then it was over. Gordon Brown's era begins in the next hour