OPINION
Kemi Badenoch badly needs to improve PMQs tactics to be back in business (Image: Carl Court/Getty Images)
“Come back!” hollered some wag across the House as Rishi Sunak got to his feet during Prime Minister’s Questions. And you know if they’re calling for the damp squib’s return things must be really bad.
Kemi, Kemi, Kemi… where is it all going wrong!? You were supposed to be the waspish, quick-witted, acerbic commentator, with a lightning appreciation of the facts and an iron-clad, downhome common sense.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Sponsored
Promoted Links Promoted Links
MSIG Easy Lounge贵宾室通行证MSIG 了解更多
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Keir Starmer announces major boost to defence spending ahead of Donald Trump meeting
432 Comments
Eamonn Holmes loses it with BBC live on GB News as he rants 'we can't!'
2 Comments
Special relationship between US and UK explained and why Starmer may have just ruined it
88 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi Badenoch made key promise - proving one thing
35 Comments
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
158 Comments
Starmer told to stop dithering and start spending on defence
115 Comments
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
247 Comments
‘Tone deaf and weak!' Keir Starmer's defence announcement condemned from all sides
558 Comments
POLL: Does Starmer's defence spending plan go far enough?
43 Comments
Map shows the countries UK is sending millions in aid to - full list
539 Comments
Keir Starmer's EU love affair shattered by one huge worry for Labour
79 Comments
Keir Starmer's one move could 'destroy our economy', Kemi Badenoch warns
79 Comments
Starmer can achieve much in his meeting with Trump, if he keeps a cool head
20 Comments
'Keir Starmer must set firm timetable for when he will increase defence spending'
55 Comments
2024 年最纾压的农场遊戏！无需安装东加：岛屿农场 立即播放
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
‘Patronising!' Kemi Badenoch slams Keir Starmer in bitter PMQs punching match
44 Comments
Keir Starmer's defence spending pledge unravels as No 10 refuses to answer one question
678 Comments
钥匙断在锁芯裡，怎么都取不出来怎么办?今天教你一招TopManFun
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Reform MP demands Keir Starmer go far further on foreign aid - 'scrap the lot'
103 Comments
Keir Starmer attacked by Labour MP over aid cut in fiery PMQs clash
43 Comments
The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The WorldMarvelousa
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Top minister finally admits Keir Starmer's ￡13bn defence hike claim is nonsense
424 Comments
Keir Starmer must play his Brexit ace card in showdown with Donald Trump
92 Comments
工程Top-up Degrees 专业技能助您筑起前路SHAPE 才晋高等教育学院 立即申请
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer announces major boost to defence spending ahead of Donald Trump meeting
432 Comments
Eamonn Holmes loses it with BBC live on GB News as he rants 'we can't!'
2 Comments
男孩以为自己救了狗，得知真相後脸色惨白Daily-Tales.com 阅读更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Special relationship between US and UK explained and why Starmer may have just ruined it
88 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi Badenoch made key promise - proving one thing
35 Comments
SHAPE Design Top-up Degrees 培育创意无限设计人才SHAPE 才晋高等教育学院 立即申请
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
158 Comments
Starmer told to stop dithering and start spending on defence
115 Comments
Enemies at Your Table: 15 Deadliest FoodsKingdom Of Men
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
247 Comments
‘Tone deaf and weak!' Keir Starmer's defence announcement condemned from all sides
558 Comments
MSIG 家居保险MSIG 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
POLL: Does Starmer's defence spending plan go far enough?
43 Comments
Map shows the countries UK is sending millions in aid to - full list
539 Comments
每天喝苹果醋的7大好处：身体会感谢你的有趣事实
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer's EU love affair shattered by one huge worry for Labour
79 Comments
Keir Starmer's one move could 'destroy our economy', Kemi Badenoch warns
79 Comments
Mother sold her daughter's old bed. 3 days later the buyer made an incredible discovery!Women's Method
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Starmer can achieve much in his meeting with Trump, if he keeps a cool head
20 Comments
'Keir Starmer must set firm timetable for when he will increase defence spending'
55 Comments
‘Patronising!' Kemi Badenoch slams Keir Starmer in bitter PMQs punching match
44 Comments
Keir Starmer's defence spending pledge unravels as No 10 refuses to answer one question
678 Comments
Reform MP demands Keir Starmer go far further on foreign aid - 'scrap the lot'
103 Comments
Keir Starmer attacked by Labour MP over aid cut in fiery PMQs clash
43 Comments
Top minister finally admits Keir Starmer's ￡13bn defence hike claim is nonsense
424 Comments
Keir Starmer must play his Brexit ace card in showdown with Donald Trump
92 Comments
Keir Starmer announces major boost to defence spending ahead of Donald Trump meeting
432 Comments
Eamonn Holmes loses it with BBC live on GB News as he rants 'we can't!'
2 Comments
Special relationship between US and UK explained and why Starmer may have just ruined it
88 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi Badenoch made key promise - proving one thing
35 Comments
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
158 Comments
Starmer told to stop dithering and start spending on defence
115 Comments
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
247 Comments
But right now your performances in PMQs are making Keir Starmer look quite the witty, super-confident raconteur - a positive political Graham Norton.
And he’s not - he’s a plodding lawyer with all the charm and warmth of a wet dishcloth.
His Majesty’s Opposition should approach PMQs like a sniper with the PM in the cross hairs. Heavily armed with the right weapons but ready to recalibrate the sight at a moment’s notice.
Sponsored
Rebang 360世上不花钱的7味「长寿药」，90%的人不知道
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Kemi took a water pistol, and didn’t change her aim once.
If you’ll excuse one last tortuous military metaphor, she then proceeded to walk into a minefield of her own making.
Kemi chose to try and pull up Starmer over details of his decision to raise defence spending and pay for it by scrapping big chunks of the overseas aid budget.
As this has basically been the dream scenario of most right-thinking Tories (and most Brits I’ll be bound) for years, how did she ever think she was going to pull him apart on that one?
And so she asked a fairly plodding question about whether the cost was going to be ￡31.4bn or - as the Defence Secretary said this morning - ￡6bn.
And clearly we do need to know. But she blew it by trying to ham-fistedly claim some of the credit.
Trending
“Over the weekend,” she said, “I suggested he cut the aid budget and I am pleased he accepted my advice.”
I have rarely seen the PM get to his feet quite so quickly as he replied: “I am going to have to let the Leader of the Opposition down gently… she did not figure in my thinking at all. I was so busy over the weekend I didn’t even see her proposal.
“I think she has appointed herself the saviour of western civilisation in a desperate search for relevance.”
Keir Starmer, the very definition of wooden performer at the despatch box, had just managed to sound witty, sharp and every inch the serious diplomat attending to vital affairs of state while dismissing the Tory leader as an irrelevance.
Kemi, and her people, are going to have to get to grips with her PMQs performance if this shattered and riven Tory party is ever to get back on its feet.
In truth there were only two periods where Sir Keir looked unsteady. First when Diane Abbot, a woman who can barely disguise her contempt for her party leader, asked: “There is the view that taking money from aid and development to spend on armaments and tanks makes people less safe not more safe.”
And this is the grass-roots party take on the aid budget squeeze I suspect. But these are crazy dangerous times and Starmer easily batted it away citing the safety of the nation.
The only time his cohones were really being squeezed was over his relationship with Trump.
Don't miss... 'Bottom of the pack!' Kemi Badenoch unleashes furious rant over Reeves 'failure'
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
That, Tory Central Office, was Starmer’s Achilles heel today.
And weirdly it took a mild-mannered Ed Davey to bring the heat.
“We won’t be able to rely on President Trump to help ensure our security against Russian aggression,” he said, suggesting pivoting to a Euro-Army would be necessary.
Oh no, no,no, blustered Sir Keir - hours away from a showdown with the US President in Washington - we can absolutely rely on the US (we can’t) and there is still a special relationship (there isn’t).
That was how to get the PM on the backfoot, and it’s shocking none of those advising Badenoch could see that.
Elsewhere this was a PMQs spectacularly short on laughs.
For my money one of the major points of concern seemed to be that the price of single malts might be going up due to some red-tape reclassification or other.
But the details were relayed in such a somnambulant way by Graham Leadbitter (SNP Moray West, Nairn, and Strathspey) I can’t be 100 percent sure.
Still, food for thought. Even this might have been a better target for the Tories.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Keir Starmer announces major boost to defence spending ahead of Donald Trump meeting
432 Comments
Eamonn Holmes loses it with BBC live on GB News as he rants 'we can't!'
2 Comments
Special relationship between US and UK explained and why Starmer may have just ruined it
88 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi Badenoch made key promise - proving one thing
35 Comments
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
158 Comments
Starmer told to stop dithering and start spending on defence
115 Comments
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
247 Comments
‘Tone deaf and weak!' Keir Starmer's defence announcement condemned from all sides
558 Comments
POLL: Does Starmer's defence spending plan go far enough?
43 Comments
Map shows the countries UK is sending millions in aid to - full list
539 Comments
Keir Starmer's EU love affair shattered by one huge worry for Labour
78 Comments
Keir Starmer's one move could 'destroy our economy', Kemi Badenoch warns
79 Comments
Starmer can achieve much in his meeting with Trump, if he keeps a cool head
20 Comments
'Keir Starmer must set firm timetable for when he will increase defence spending'
55 Comments
An Old Woman Lives in a Shed – Don't Cry When You See the InsideTips and Tricks
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
‘Patronising!' Kemi Badenoch slams Keir Starmer in bitter PMQs punching match
44 Comments
Keir Starmer's defence spending pledge unravels as No 10 refuses to answer one question
678 Comments
Remember Tiger Woods Ex wife Try Not To Smile When You See Her NowBeach Raider
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Reform MP demands Keir Starmer go far further on foreign aid - 'scrap the lot'
103 Comments
Keir Starmer attacked by Labour MP over aid cut in fiery PMQs clash
42 Comments
Movie stars who turned broke & some of them now work ordinary jobs.The Family Breeze
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Top minister finally admits Keir Starmer's ￡13bn defence hike claim is nonsense
423 Comments
Keir Starmer must play his Brexit ace card in showdown with Donald Trump
92 Comments
This Woman Lives in a Garage – But Wait Until you see Inside!Tips and Tricks
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer announces major boost to defence spending ahead of Donald Trump meeting
432 Comments
Eamonn Holmes loses it with BBC live on GB News as he rants 'we can't!'
2 Comments
15 Foods That Are Killing You SlowlyKingdom Of Men
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Special relationship between US and UK explained and why Starmer may have just ruined it
88 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi Badenoch made key promise - proving one thing
35 Comments
世界上第一批七胞胎庆祝了他们的21岁生日，在照片中找出他们Story To Hear
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
158 Comments
Starmer told to stop dithering and start spending on defence
115 Comments
Top 15 Prettiest Icons In The HistoryPaperela
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
247 Comments
‘Tone deaf and weak!' Keir Starmer's defence announcement condemned from all sides
558 Comments
Her Outfit Caught Everyone's Eye The StadiumTrue Edition
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
POLL: Does Starmer's defence spending plan go far enough?
43 Comments
Map shows the countries UK is sending millions in aid to - full list
539 Comments
Failed Celebs Who Lost It All & Some Of Them Work Normal Jobs NowThe Family Breeze
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer's EU love affair shattered by one huge worry for Labour
78 Comments
Keir Starmer's one move could 'destroy our economy', Kemi Badenoch warns
79 Comments
世界上第一个七胞胎庆祝他们的21岁生日Story To Hear
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Starmer can achieve much in his meeting with Trump, if he keeps a cool head
20 Comments
'Keir Starmer must set firm timetable for when he will increase defence spending'
55 Comments
‘Patronising!' Kemi Badenoch slams Keir Starmer in bitter PMQs punching match
44 Comments
Keir Starmer's defence spending pledge unravels as No 10 refuses to answer one question
678 Comments
Reform MP demands Keir Starmer go far further on foreign aid - 'scrap the lot'
103 Comments
Keir Starmer attacked by Labour MP over aid cut in fiery PMQs clash
42 Comments
Top minister finally admits Keir Starmer's ￡13bn defence hike claim is nonsense
423 Comments
Keir Starmer must play his Brexit ace card in showdown with Donald Trump
92 Comments
Keir Starmer announces major boost to defence spending ahead of Donald Trump meeting
432 Comments
Eamonn Holmes loses it with BBC live on GB News as he rants 'we can't!'
2 Comments
Special relationship between US and UK explained and why Starmer may have just ruined it
88 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi Badenoch made key promise - proving one thing
35 Comments
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
158 Comments
Starmer told to stop dithering and start spending on defence
115 Comments
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
247 Comments
扣减税项最高可达应评税入息或利润的35%无国界医生（香港）
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
无国界医生 - 由衷感谢大家2024年的所有支持无国界医生（香港）
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
沙田-2025 的豪华老人住宅公寓价格惊人便宜老年公寓 | 搜寻广告
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
香港无螺丝植牙费用揭晓：即日完成全口植牙，价格透明化！植牙 | 搜寻广告
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
In a PMQs wash-down on Sky TV this afternoon Tory MP for Exmouth and Exeter East David Reed said of Kemi’s defence figures question “That’s what the public wants to know at the moment.”
Me I reckon the realpolitik of life might suggest what the public really want to know is whether their favourite scotch may (or may not) be going up a few quid.
But, as ever, I’ll let you be the judge.