'Absolute Gutter Politics': Badenoch Slammed Over PMQs Attack On Starmer
Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch in PMQsParliament. tvKemi Badenochhas been accused of stooping to "absolute gutter politics" duringprime minister's questions. TheConservativeleader needledKeir Starmerover his. . .
Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch in PMQsParliament. tvKemi Badenochhas been accused of stooping to "absolute gutter politics" duringprime minister's questions. TheConservativeleader needledKeir Starmerover his fractured party during his first appearance in the Chamber since heresignedasLabourleader on Monday. Labour MPs – including some of Starmer's closest allies – flocked to support his likely successorAndy Burnhamwhen he was sworn in asMakerfield 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 secretaryEd Milibandof "treachery" and "betrayal" for backing Burnham, claiming he was "killing industry" while chancellorRachel Reeveswas "killing jobs". She also claimed Starmer's other cabinet ministers were either "traitors and deserters" or "loyal and incompetent". Badenoch also called education secretaryBridget Phillipsona "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 toCommons 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. . .