A unique PMQ - paying tribute to Ivan Cameron

Normal PMQ hostilities ceased today as tributes were paid to little Ivan Cameron, whose short life ended in the early hours of this morning. News of Ivan’s tragic death meant today’s agenda had to change; other than the sad and moving ritual of reading out the names of fallen Britons from battles in Afghanistan.

There is an emotional distance we can secure for ourselves, away from the horror a family has to go through when confronted with the news, either on television or in the chamber, of someone that has died. We feel for the family, the loss, the emptiness. But unless we know them or their family personally, we choose to move on, perhaps deliberately in order not to dwell on the circumstances or the tragic consequences of those who will have to live with the memories for far longer.

And so it has come to pass that with PMQ’s - week in week out, names read out, condolences genuinely offered - but then onto other business.

Not today. Today’s business was about reflecting on the sanctity of life, and the harsh and sometimes unfair reality of death. For after the names were read out of Lance Corporal Stephen Kingscott, Marine Darren Smith and Private Ryan Wrathall came that of Ivan Cameron.

Of course Ivan died in entirely different circumstances and his life was no less or more important. But as tributes were being paid the impact of his tragic death was felt across a sombre chamber. We may never have met Ivan, but we knew that he was a child of a colleague, a little boy, surrounded by love but born into this world never going to be able to walk or talk, and only, on rare occasions, able to smile . Members across the House, absorbing the news sat in silence. This was a personal tragedy that transcends all party barriers and there was no avoiding coming face to face with the uncomfortable and raw emotions associated with death and feeling immense sorrow for David and his family.