Angela Rayner was so keen to get out of the traps with her criticism of the last Conservative government at today’s deputy prime minister’s questions that she almost forgot to welcome her new sparring partner. Alex Burghart is not yet a household name: in fact, he isn’t even Rayner’s direct counterpart, as Kemi Badenoch hasn’t yet named a deputy. He had a reasonable session, and even made a stab at doing something no-one else has yet managed, which is to define ‘Starmerism’. Rayner enjoyed herself, as ever, while Rachel Reeves, sitting next to her on the government benches, had the most uncomfortable session.
Perhaps Burghart’s attack might have been more potent if he had focused it on Reevesism
The Conservative shadow cabinet office minister asked a short question first, which was simply: ‘What is the government doing to bring down inflation?’ Rayner was ready – too ready – and went straight off to say ‘I think it’s astonishing that – first of all, can I welcome the right honourable gentleman to his place? And many people might not know, Mr Speaker, but the Hon.
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