Badenoch Confronts Starmer on Trump, Defence Spending, and Budget in Fiery First PMQs

[Social Media]

 

In her debut as Leader of the Opposition during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Kemi Badenoch didn’t hold back as she confronted Sir Keir Starmer on a range of topics, including past Labour comments about Donald Trump, UK defence spending, and inheritance tax policies affecting family farms. As the newly elected Conservative Party leader, Badenoch committed to a “constructive opposition,” aiming to bring direct questions to the forefront. Her exchanges set a starkly different tone from her predecessor, Rishi Sunak, as she challenged Starmer’s stance with pointed remarks and criticism.

‘Will the PM show that he and his Government will be more than student politicians?!’

Kemi Badenoch grills Keir Starmer on Britain's special relationship with the US and whether it will be strained under Labour, at her first PMQs.

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Badenoch began by calling out Labour’s historical stance on Trump, reminding Starmer of comments from senior Labour figures who criticized the former president. She urged Starmer to be “more than student politicians” and suggested that, given Trump’s renewed influence, Labour should consider inviting him to address Parliament. Starmer responded by accusing Badenoch herself of engaging in “student politics,” sidestepping the question of an invitation to Trump but affirming the importance of a strong relationship with the United States.

 

Badenoch then shifted the focus to domestic issues, pressing Starmer about the government’s recent decision to reduce winter fuel payments for most pensioners. Starmer defended the decision, describing it as one of many “tough decisions” necessary to maintain the triple-lock commitment, which aims to safeguard pension incomes. However, analysts at Verify countered Starmer's stance, suggesting the policy might not benefit all pensioners as implied.

 

The debate heated up further as Badenoch demanded that Starmer apologize for 2017 remarks by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who had referred to Trump as a “neo-Nazi sympathizing sociopath.” Badenoch questioned whether Lammy had apologized during a recent dinner with Trump in New York and asked Starmer to offer a public apology on Lammy’s behalf. In a biting aside, she quipped, “I’m very sure that President Trump will soon be calling to thank him for sending all of those north London Labour activists to campaign for his opponent.”

 

Moving to the national defense agenda, Badenoch urged Starmer to commit to a 2.5% target in defense spending, to which he responded affirmatively. However, Badenoch challenged him on what she labeled a “cruel family-farms tax,” referring to the £1 million inheritance tax relief cap, which she argued could harm small-scale farming operations. Starmer countered that the changes would not impact most farmers, though Badenoch continued to express doubts.

 

The debate over foreign policy continued as Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey questioned Starmer on how he would handle potential differences with Trump on Ukraine and NATO. Starmer emphasized Parliament’s united support for Ukraine and expressed optimism about collaborating with Trump.

 

Badenoch’s no-nonsense questioning highlighted her intent to hold the Labour government accountable and prompted Starmer to defend Labour’s budget priorities. Badenoch mocked Starmer’s detailed responses, quipping, “Discuss, discuss, discuss, chat, chat, chat – he has no plans whatsoever for building on the special relationship.” She then attacked the Labour budget as a “copy and paste of Bidenomics” and asked if Starmer aimed to follow in President Joe Biden’s footsteps as a “one-term leader.”

 

Badenoch’s direct and challenging style brought fresh energy to her first PMQs, contrasting with Sunak’s previously measured approach. Her strategic lines of questioning kept Starmer on the defensive and won her applause from Conservative backbenchers, setting the stage for what could be a notably contentious period in British politics.

 

Based on a report by BBC | X 2024-11-08

 

 

 

[Foxx]

Who cares? It's extremely doubtful she'll even be leader of the opposition come the next General Election.

As an aside, Americans have shown that they're not willing to vote for a black woman, leading to a second season of Trump.  Would British people also be disinclined to vote for a black woman?

[RayC]

Another example of the BBC's left-wing bias ... oh, hold on ....

 

Starmer stated in his welcome to Badenoch that " ... he looks forward to working with her in the interests of the British people".

 

Far chance of that happening. As George Osborne said, "Kemi could start an argument in a phone box with herself". And Osborne's one of her friends!!

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, RayC said:

Another example of the BBC's left-wing bias ... oh, hold on ....

 

Starmer stated in his welcome to Badenoch that " ... he looks forward to working with her in the interests of the British people".

 

Far chance of that happening. As George Osborne said, "Kemi could start an argument in a phone box with herself". And Osborne's one of her friends!!

She’s a glass cliff leader, she’s being allowed to carry the can for the Tory collapse.

 

Boris will be back just in time for the next election.