Whatever you think of Conservative backbenchers, you've got to admit they can run with a theme.

Today's was the ol' favourite 'Labour's in the pocket of the unions'.

It might not be original but it's always guaranteed to produce a Jerry Springer-esque reaction (and plenty of noise).

Pension strikes next week are "wholly irresponsible" began Backbencher Uno (Andrew Bingham).

David Cameron agreed that it was the "height of irresponsibility".

Then Richard Ottaway stood. "Returning to next week's strikes, they don't like it up 'em do they?" he said, reacting to Labour roars.

Even Guardian-loving Louise Mensch joined in, going for the pensions strike hat-trick.

Some of the biggest losers from next week's strikes will be "mums and dads with children in school" (according to her of the Murdoch-school-run fame).

Mensch suggested that the government should "encourage employers to bring children to work if it is safe to do so".

Cameron agreed that employers should allow staff to bring kids to work to beat next week's strikes.

"Frankly, these strikes are going to go ahead," he said, shaking his head.

"People should be very clear about where the responsibility lies…. with union leaders including the party opposite…"

So what of the party opposite?

Well, Ed Miliband tried to lead on long-term youth unemployment.

The prime minister accepted that it was "unacceptably high" in this country, but is also "unacceptably high" across Europe.

Miliband dismissed his answer as "lots of bluster". He suggested that if Cameron was "serious" about tackling youth unemployment, he would tax those with the highest salaries – repeating his support for a banker bonus tax.

But the PM had a trick up his sleeve (not in his back pocket – that's Labour's thing). He told the chamber that Labour has allocated its banker bonus tax nine times already.  "This is the bank tax that likes to say yes," he grinned.

"No wonder that the shadow chancellor has stopped saluting and started crying."

[Huzzah, an opportunity for some self-promotion. Cameron's line was a nod to our Ed Balls interview here.]

The Labour benches thundered their discontent. But their leader's contribution was muted at best.

Forget pockets. Ed Miliband needs to pull up his socks if he wants to get Cameron hot under the collar again.

Tags: David Cameron, Ed Miliband, PMQs