It was a strong start for Kemi Badenoch in her debut performance at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs). After the obligatory pledge to be a ‘constructive’ opposition, the newly-crowned Tory leader began by asking Keir Starmer about the day’s big story – the American election result. Badenoch’s first three questions were variations on the theme of Trump and how much Starmer was looking forward to working with him. She raised the perennial question of David Lammy. Had the Prime Minister apologised to Donald Trump for the Foreign Secretary’s ‘derogatory’ and ‘scatological’ past comments about him? Starmer, predictably, did not answer.
A score draw then – but a decent outing by the new Leader of the Opposition
The effectiveness of Badenoch’s lines was evidenced in the uncomfortable silence from the Labour benches. Most, instinctively, loathe Trump yet are bound to remain mute by the demands of government and realpolitik.
Badenoch then moved on to a visit by the president-elect.
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