For the Leader of the Opposition, Prime Minister’s Questions has several functions. The most fundamental is to hold the Government to account.
A win is when the holder of the post manages to embarrass the premier. A secondary success is when they score a point articulating the public’s concerns that makes waves on social media and the TV news. Another metric is showing their own party who’s boss and – if possible – boosting morale on their own side.
On all counts, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch failed today.
Under prepared, ill-briefed and stuttering through her questions, Labour MPs could not believe their luck. Grins all round from the Government’s green benches.
Badenoch asked Starmer about reports a Palestinian family was allowed to come to the UK using a scheme designed for Ukrainian refugees. The Prime Minister said it was the wrong decision, but that it was taken under the previous Tory government. You would have thought she would pivot to something else.
But no, Badenoch showed her lack of agility. She kept going and read from her script of pre-prepared questions and answers. “He did not answer the question,” she asserted of Starmer. Trouble was, he just had.
In a bizarre exchange, Badenoch then asked Starmer whether he was allowing government lawyers to change the UK’s position on Israel – because they agreed with a judge’s ruling that called Israel’s actions in Gaza “indiscriminate.” Starmer accused Badenoch of not knowing what she was talking about.
Badenoch insisted Starmer was not on top of his own brief. “More, more” the Tories said, cheering her on. But it felt like they were going through the motions.
“I know the script does not allow for any adaptation, but this is getting tedious,” Starmer told her.
She pressed on.
“This is a situation where we need to put our national interest before the ECHR. Does he agree that we should legislate, even if lawyers warn that this might be incompatible with human rights law?” Badenoch asked Starmer.
“She complains about scripted answers and questions, her script doesn’t allow her to listen to the answer,” the Prime Minister replied. “She asked me if we’re going to change the law and close the loophole in question one, I said yes. She asked me again in question two, and I said yes. She asked me again in question three, it’s still yes.”
Robert Jenrick is flirting with Reform - but Kemi Badenoch doesn't care
Read MoreStarmer also highlighted how Badenoch has refused a high-level briefing on the Chagos Islands so she can keep criticising Labour. The problem for Badenoch is it fits a narrative some of her own party are worried about – that she doesn’t work hard enough.
Badenoch then pivoted to ask about a UK border security employee wanting to work from home in Finland. Starmer said it was the last government that appointed him and allowed him to work from home for five years, and that they are now going to be working from the UK under Labour.
Following reports in The i Paper and elsewhere that Conservative MPs are putting a time-limit on Badenoch’s leadership, Starmer allowed himself a joke at her expense after a question about workers’ rights legislation.
“I would have thought the leader of the opposition might support day one protection employment rights given where she’s going,” he told her. Ouch.
In her 100 days as Tory leader, Badenoch has failed to make much headway at PMQs, her one chance of the week to make a dent in the political landscape. Although some weeks are better than others, there is no consistency to her performances.
Tory MPs have already urged her to bring new talent into the team which helps her prepare for PMQs. Suggestions include former deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden, who as a young party aide used to prepare former prime minister David Cameron for the bout.
In No 10, the feeling was of disbelief at quite how poor she had been. Even in these grim days for Labour, there are moments of sunshine.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( PMQs was a disaster for Kemi Badenoch – Labour cannot believe its luck )
Also on site :
- At least 35 killed in new Israeli attack on Gaza aid seekers
- Aldi Shoppers Say New Freezer Find 'Doesn't Disappoint'
- Country Star Shares Rare Photos of Sons in Touching Tribute: 'Brought Me To Tears'