New Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is to make his debut at Prime Minister’s Questions later, taking on David Cameron for the first time.

Introducing his new format, the veteran left-winger said: “Many told me they thought Prime Minister’s Questions was too theatrical, that Parliament was out of touch, and they wanted things done differently”.

He urged Prime Minister David Cameron to drop the hyperbole and instead answer thoughtful questions posed by some 40,000 citizens who had responded to Corbyn’s request for input from the public about issues that needed to be raised. Corbyn opened with questions about housing, of which he received 2,000, including on the housing shortage and rent prices.

The new Labour leader may well face some tough questions himself after his decision not to sing the national anthem at an event marking the 75th anniversary of World War Two’s Battle of Britain.

“The move to use questions submitted by ordinary people was brilliant and a very refreshing approach – I think Jeremy can give us the shake-up that we need”.

But the Conservative leader did not entirely resist the opportunity to go on the attack, repeatedly warning that the high-quality public services which Mr Corbyn demanded would not be affordable without a strong economy.

“Labour’s leader turned up dishevelled at the Battle of Britain service and stood in mute silence as everyone sang “God Save the Queen'”, said the Sun’s editorial. It is an important symbol singing the national anthem”.

He also hit out at the suggestion that Mr Corbyn might wear a pacifist white poppy on Remembrance Sunday.

On defence, Mr Cameron said it was “deeply regrettable” that Labour were turning away from North Atlantic Treaty Organisation membership and the Trident nuclear deterrent.

“We have got to be better organised”.

And his response to a question from Northern Irish MP Nigel Dodds left little doubt that the PM was seeking to draw attention to controversy over past comments on the Troubles by Mr Corbyn and his shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

“Cameron had to change the way things are done”, she said. “It was never justified and people who seek to justify it should be ashamed of themselves“.

The half-hour-long fixture is traditionally a robust, sometimes aggressive confrontation between the prime minister and the opposition leader as they trade blows and try to score points at each other’s expense.

Marie from south London – the author of the first crowd-sourced question – proclaimed Mr Corbyn the victor of the parliamentary clash.

“They looked like they were ready for the pot”, she said.