- Wed Jun 24, 2026 2:34 pm
#112841
A summary from the Guardian
PMQs - snap verdict
Kemi Badenoch is probably very happy with that performance. But some of her MPs will worry that she crossed a line, and that she is finding it hard to differentiate between effective parliamentary attack and sheer nastiness.
When a PM stands down, it is normal for their opponents to show a bit of decorum, tone down the criticism a bit, say something complimentary and wish them well for the future. Given that this is not Starmer’s last PMQs, there was no need for Badenoch to do this today – although at least a nod in this direction was probably expected. Perhaps she will manage it on Wednesday 15 July (probably Starmer’s last PMQs), although you would not bet on it on the basis of today.
Badenoch was dismissive and patronising towards Starmer but what was striking was what she said about four of his colleagues. This may have be an indication that, with Starmer out of the way, she is now on the hunt for other targets.
Not for the first time, she was brutal about Rachel Reeves, the chancellor. Badenoch said:
Starmer wouldn’t be in this mess if his chancellor had found money for the defence investment plan. The prime minister gave her the second most important job in Britain, she was the first female chancellor, she lives next door to him, but wouldn’t even come out to stand by him during his resignation speech. She was too busy getting ready for a selfie with the new leader. Does the prime minister feel let down by his chancellor?
Next in line for attack was Ed Miliband, the energy secretary. Badenoch said:
The chancellor isn’t the only person who let him down, the energy secretary is putting up bills and killing jobs. He was a failed Labour leader, rejected by the electorate, brought back from the wilderness by this man, and when the going got tough, he jumped into bed with the mayor of Manchester. It’s not the first time he’s betrayed someone close to him, is it? Does the prime minister think that his treachery should be rewarded by being appointed chancellor?
These comments were harsh, but not unprecedented. More surprising was what Badenoch said when she lashed out at Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary who is not a particularly prominent figure in the government– but who is a hate figure in some Tory circles where people are having to pay VAT on their children’s private school fees. Badenoch said:
She taxed private schools to pay for more teachers, but the number of teachers has gone down. It turns out appointing a spiteful class warrior as education secretary was a disaster.
Badenoch then aimed her invective at the entire PLP, saying they had planted “400 knives” in Starmer’s back and that they were not Labour MPs but “welfare MPs”. At this point Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker, had had enough and delivered a reprimand to Badenoch for her language. This is rare, and a sign that at least one influential parliamentary thought she went too far.
Andy Burnham was not in the chamber, but Badenoch also took a swipe at him in her final question describing him as little more than “a pair of eyelashes and a black T-shirt”. This was probably the worst of all her jibes – not because it was rude (imagine a male MP saying something like that about a woman), but because there is nothing more fatal, or stupid, in politics than underestimating your opponents, and Burnham’s record in Makerfield suggests the Tories should be taking him very seriously.
Starmer dealt with this splurge of vitriol with good grace. He did win with any zingers, but he emerged from the exchanges as the better person.
Well, I don't know, but I've been told
You never slow down, you never grow old
I'm tired of screwin' up, tired of going down
Tired of myself, tired of this town
- By Bones McCoy