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. Half the current cabinet, she pointed out, had previously signed a motion saying Trump should not speak in Westminster Hall. Could the Prime Minister show that Labour are now more than mere ‘student politicians’ by inviting Trump to speak here on his next visit? Starmer got some cheers by suggesting that it was Badenoch ‘who is giving a masterclass on student politics’. But the exchange highlighted the extent to which America will be a long-running sore for Labour over the coming years.
Starmer proved stronger when the focus shifted to the Budget. The Tory leader provoked bemusement on the government benches after telling the House that ‘his Chancellor’s Budget did not even mention defence’ – to which Starmer noted that it did. Badenoch closed by turning her attention to farming, committing her party to reversing the ‘cruel family farms tax’. The substance of the matter was overshadowed by her criticisms of Starmer’s ‘scripted lines’. When Badenoch appeared to glance at her notes, she was met by a barrage of ‘Reading! Reading!’ from the boisterous benches opposite. It was left to Starmer to deliver the punchline: ‘If she’s going to complain about scripted answers, it’s probably best not to read that from a script’.
A score draw then – but a decent outing by the new Leader of the Opposition (LOTO). Yet the rest of the session illustrated the mountain that Badenoch has to climb, facing a Labour majority of 163. At times it felt more like LOTO questions than PMQs as four Labour backbenchers queued up to attack her over past comments on issues like partygate and maternity pay. Starmer sought to play the role of statesman, greeting such original lines of inquiry with a mix of sorrow and dismay. But it was clear the Labour whips had done their work – as evidenced by the cheers which greeted every witticism by the PM. The extent of the ‘Get Kemi’ operation was demonstrated at the end of the session when Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House, stood up to raise a point of order on Badenoch’s defence comments. The Speaker batted it away contemptuously.
Starmer had opened the session by welcoming Badenoch: ‘My fourth Tory leader in four and a half years.’ He himself will know well the challenges facing a new leader of the opposition – and how it takes time to grow into that role over many weeks and months. It is a tough road ahead but Badenoch began that difficult task today.
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