In Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch uses sharply confrontational language as Labour’s leadership changes following Keir Starmer’s resignation as Labour leader on Monday. Starmer makes his first PMQs appearance since announcing his resignation, while Labour MPs back Andy Burnham after he is sworn in later. Badenoch attacks the Labour party’s internal divisions, accusing figures including Ed Miliband of “treachery” and Rachel Reeves of “killing jobs”, and describing other ministers as “traitors and deserters” or “loyal and incompetent”. She also targets education secretary Bridget Phillipson, calling her a “spiteful class warrior” for decisions including VAT on private school fees. Starmer responds that Phillipson is a positive example of social mobility after she grew up in poverty. After Badenoch’s remarks, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle intervenes, warning MPs to avoid language that could be repeated outside the chamber. Separate accounts from the Commons also describe an exchange after PMQs in which Badenoch tells Phillipson she is “destroying children’s lives”. Multiple Labour figures and a peer criticise Badenoch’s tone and imagery, including references to “knives in back”.
Badenoch and Phillipson clash in Commons after PMQs language prompts Speaker reprimand
In Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch uses sharply confrontational language as Labour’s leadership changes following Keir Starmer’s resignation as Labour leader on Monday. S...
- Kemi Badenoch and Bridget Phillipson clash after Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons.
- Badenoch repeatedly uses aggressive language targeting Labour ministers and accusing the party of internal divisions.
- Speaker Lindsay Hoyle intervenes, calling for more decorum and cautioning about the language MPs use.
- Badenoch describes Phillipson as a “spiteful class warrior” related to VAT on private school fees.
- Labour figures criticize Badenoch’s tone and language after the exchange.
Kemi Badenoch and Bridget Phillipson during prime minister's questions in the CommonsKemi Badenoch accused Bridget Phillipson of “destroying children’s lives” during an extraordinary bust-up after prime minister’s questions.The pair clashed after several Labour MPs confronted the Tory leader in the Commons.Badenoch had earlier been reprimanded by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle after she called Phillipson, the education secretary, a “spiteful class warrior” for adding VAT to private school fees.A Tory source said: “Labour MPs confronted Kemi, including Bridget Phillipson. Kemi replied: ‘I will never stop fighting you. You’re destroying children’s lives’.”An ally of Phillipson told HuffPost UK: “Badenoch has once again disgraced herself. “She and her putrid party can’t stand working class women who do well. “If standing up for the 94% of kids in state schools makes Bridget a spiteful class warrior then she’ll wear it with pride.”The Conservative leader stunned many within the Labour Party with her visceral attack on Keir Starmer and his most senior ministers in the Commons today.Speaking during Starmer’s first PMQs since he announced his resignation on Monday, Badenoch even accused Labour MPs of sticking “400 knives” in the prime minister’s back.Speaker Lindsay Hoyle ended up cutting in, telling the Commons: “Let us think about the language that we use.“When we leave this chamber, don’t be surprised when constituents think they can use the same language against each other. Let us show a little bit more decorum and respect to each other.”Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.Related...'Absolute Gutter Politics': Badenoch Slammed Over PMQs Attack On StarmerKemi Badenoch Told To Apologise Over Nazi Jibe At Cabinet MinisterReform's Nadhim Zahawi Slammed Over 'Disgraceful' Defence Of Kemi Badenoch Attack Ad
23 hours agoKeir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch in PMQsKemi Badenoch has been accused of stooping to “absolute gutter politics” during prime minister’s questions.The Conservative leader needled Keir Starmer over his fractured party during his first appearance in the Chamber since he resigned as Labour leader on Monday.Labour MPs – including some of Starmer’s closest allies – flocked to support his likely successor Andy Burnham when he was sworn in as Makerfield MP hours later.So Badenoch called out the divided Labour Party for loudly backing the PM in the Commons, despite effectively forcing him to resign.The Tory leader accused energy secretary Ed Miliband of “treachery” and “betrayal” for backing Burnham, claiming he was “killing industry” while chancellor Rachel Reeves was “killing jobs”.She also claimed Starmer’s other cabinet ministers were either “traitors and deserters” or “loyal and incompetent”. Badenoch also called education secretary Bridget Phillipson a “spiteful class warrior”. Starmer replied the cabinet minister had grown up in poverty and was a great example of social mobility.Badenoch replied: “If she knew so much about poor children, she wouldn’t have given them fewer teachers!”As Labour backbenchers shouted back at her, the Tory leader said: “It’s amazing, I’ve never seen this much excitement on the Labour benches. They’re cheering so loudly while there are 400 knives stuck in his back.“Shame on them. They don’t like it up them but they know what I’m saying is true.”She asked: “Does the prime minister feel betrayed by the people he got into parliament?”But Speaker Lindsay Hoyle cut in, and told the Commons: “Let us think about the language that we use.“When we leave this chamber, don’t be surprised when constituents think they can use the same language. Let us show a little bit more decorum and respect to each other.”Starmer replied: “Thank you Mr Speaker, I was trying to do all of this with as much good grace as I could but I shall certainly miss these exchanges.”Hoyle was not the only person to criticise Badenoch’s language.A Labour source said: “A week after Jo Cox’s anniversary, Kemi talking about ‘knives in back’ and ‘treachery’. Absolute gutter politics.”Labour peer, Stewart Wood, also criticised the leader of the opposition on X, writing: “I have been impressed by Kemi Badenoch’s PMQs performance on quite a few occasions over the past few months.“Today her tone, language & imagery was deeply unpleasant & counterproductive. Even her front bench winced as she spoke. I am glad the Speaker called her on it.”Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.Related...Kemi Badenoch Told To Apologise Over Nazi Jibe At Cabinet MinisterReform's Nadhim Zahawi Slammed Over 'Disgraceful' Defence Of Kemi Badenoch Attack AdDarren Jones Says He Won't Challenge Andy Burnham To Become Prime Minister
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