Starmer and Badenoch Clash in Fiery PMQs Over Defence Spending
Prime Minister's Questions erupted in heated exchanges as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch launched a sustained attack on Sir Keir Starmer over his government's delayed defence spending plans. Badenoch tore into the Prime Minister for his failure, after more than six months in office, to set out a concrete strategy to increase military funding, accusing him of being 'not interested' in bolstering the nation's defences and caring more about welfare. She also criticized Labour's energy policy for the North Sea as 'dangerous and irresponsible' and warned that plans to align the UK more closely with EU rules would create the 'worst of both worlds' and effectively make Britain a 'rule-taker'. The session, the first after a two-week parliamentary break, was dominated by the impact of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. Starmer responded by insisting he would 'not yield' to pressure from figures like Donald Trump regarding the Iran war, fashioning his reply into a lengthy statement on the international situation. This tactic led to a remarkable intervention from Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who snapped and interrupted the Prime Minister to remind him that the session was for answering questions, not for delivering opposition-style tirades. 'Prime Minister, it's Prime Minister's Questions. We've got to concentrate,' Hoyle told a furious Starmer as the pair clashed. Despite the theatrical and often furious nature of the exchanges, one observer noted that Starmer ultimately 'made a reasonable fist of listening to Kemi Badenoch’s questions and giving equally well-rehearsed answers on defence spending.' The session highlighted the government's ongoing challenges in articulating its policy on key issues like national security and post-Brexit relations, while the opposition seized the opportunity to press its attacks on multiple fronts, rejecting the Prime Minister's calls for cross-party consensus.
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Sources
What's the hold up? Kemi attacks Starmer over defence spending and failure to set out plans | Daily Mail Online
The Conservative leader tore into Sir Keir in the Commons over his failure to set out his plans to increase military funds, which have been delayed for over half a year.
Kemi Badenoch takes aim at Keir Starmer after rejecting cross-party offer: 'All he cares about is welfare!'
Kemi Badenoch has launched a scathing attack on Sir Keir Starmer after rejecting her calls for "cross-party action" on Britain's defence funding. Speaking to GB News, the Conservative Party leader declared the Prime Minister is "not interested" in bolstering the nation's defences, and "all ...
Kemi Badenoch warns that Labour's new plan to cosy up to Brussels will leave Britain in the 'worst of both worlds' | Daily Mail Online
Downing Street confirmed that Keir Starmer will press ahead with plans to align Britain with EU rules in a range of areas, despite warnings it will unpick Brexit and make Britain a 'rule-taker'.
Starmer in furious bust-up with the Commons Speaker after he's ordered to finally start answering Kemi's questions | Daily Mail Online
Sir Keir Starmer erupted in fury at the Commons Speaker today after he was ordered to answer Kemi Badenoch's questions. Sir Lindsay Hoyle interrupted the PM to remind him that it was questions to the Prime Minister - rather than the leader of the opposition. 'Prime Minister, it's Prime Minister's Questions. We've got to concentrate,' he told Sir Keir as the pair clashed. Following the heated exchange...
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