PMQs: Badenoch challenges Starmer on tax thresholds
More Videos
0 seconds of 1 minute, 27 seconds Volume 90%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts EnabledDisabled
Shortcuts Open/Close / or ?
Play/Pause SPACE
Increase Volume ↑
Decrease Volume ↓
Seek Forward →
Seek Backward ←
Captions On/Off c
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f
Mute/Unmute m
Decrease Caption Size -
Increase Caption Size + or =
Seek % 0-9
Next Up
PMQs: Nigel Farage heckled while questioning Starmer
02:04
x facebook Email Link https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/cX3JIxgk Copied
Live
00:00
01:27
01:27
More Videos
Close
Rachel Reeves’ lack of confidence after a bruising few weeks was plain as she sat next to Sir Keir Stamer during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, a body language expert has claimed. Sir Keir Starmer clashed with Kemi Badenoch in the Commons, refusing to rule out a wealth tax after the Tory leader accused him of “flirting” with the idea.
And while the Chancellor appeared more composed than last week, when she was pictured in tears behind an apparently oblivious PM, Inbaal Honigman, speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk on behalf of Oddspedia, said there were nevertheless tell-tale signs that all was not well. She explained: "When Rachel Reeves is initially seen behind Starmer (10 minutes in), her legs are crossed which is a protective gesture, but not uncommon. In fact the entire row has their legs crossed. Her arms are also crossed, which is also a protective gesture, and also a very popular choice by the other ladies on the bench."
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Keir Starmer warned he risks 'another winter fuel crisis' over stealth tax bombshell
8 Comments
Fury as Labour refuses to rule out fresh tax hikes targeting 1 group
548 Comments
Kemi Badenoch has Slippery Starmer on the run over tax hikes
21 Comments
Keir Starmer told to 'explore' wealth tax on super rich
8 Comments
Kemi Badenoch tears into Keir Starmer at PMQs with savage 3-word statement
282 Comments
Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'
67 Comments
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
47 Comments
Rachel Reeves in the firing line as 'lame duck' Prime Minister plots reset
29 Comments
Rachel Reeves may target millions with punishing income tax hikes to plug ￡40bn hole
109 Comments
Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown
13 Comments
Kemi Badenoch says fake Conservatives should quit her party in wake of Reform defections
47 Comments
'Needs to go!' New calls for triple lock 'replacement' in betrayal of pensioners
4 Comments
Rachel Reeves' tax raid to see 'a pub close down a day' as economy turmoil bites
Comments
Shocking moment Rachel Reeves seen crying at brutal Prime Minister's Questions
80 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
POLL: Will Keir Starmer bring in wealth tax?
137 Comments
Kemi Badenoch to attack Nigel Farage in major welfare speech
23 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Keir Starmer refuses to rule out stealth income tax hike in PMQs bombshell
57 Comments
'Catastrophic!' Kemi Badenoch exposes Keir Starmer for 'flirting with wealth tax demands'
12 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Kemi Badenoch blazes at 'immoral' cost of benefits bill as country braces for tax raids
308 Comments
Rachel Reeves dealt massive blow as she's warned more firms will go bust
5 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Keir Starmer warned he risks 'another winter fuel crisis' over stealth tax bombshell
8 Comments
Fury as Labour refuses to rule out fresh tax hikes targeting 1 group
548 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Kemi Badenoch has Slippery Starmer on the run over tax hikes
21 Comments
Keir Starmer told to 'explore' wealth tax on super rich
8 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Kemi Badenoch tears into Keir Starmer at PMQs with savage 3-word statement
282 Comments
Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'
67 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
47 Comments
Rachel Reeves in the firing line as 'lame duck' Prime Minister plots reset
29 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Rachel Reeves may target millions with punishing income tax hikes to plug ￡40bn hole
109 Comments
Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown
13 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Kemi Badenoch says fake Conservatives should quit her party in wake of Reform defections
47 Comments
'Needs to go!' New calls for triple lock 'replacement' in betrayal of pensioners
4 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Rachel Reeves' tax raid to see 'a pub close down a day' as economy turmoil bites
Comments
Shocking moment Rachel Reeves seen crying at brutal Prime Minister's Questions
80 Comments
POLL: Will Keir Starmer bring in wealth tax?
137 Comments
Kemi Badenoch to attack Nigel Farage in major welfare speech
23 Comments
Keir Starmer refuses to rule out stealth income tax hike in PMQs bombshell
57 Comments
'Catastrophic!' Kemi Badenoch exposes Keir Starmer for 'flirting with wealth tax demands'
12 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blazes at 'immoral' cost of benefits bill as country braces for tax raids
308 Comments
Rachel Reeves dealt massive blow as she's warned more firms will go bust
5 Comments
Keir Starmer warned he risks 'another winter fuel crisis' over stealth tax bombshell
8 Comments
Fury as Labour refuses to rule out fresh tax hikes targeting 1 group
548 Comments
Kemi Badenoch has Slippery Starmer on the run over tax hikes
21 Comments
Keir Starmer told to 'explore' wealth tax on super rich
8 Comments
Kemi Badenoch tears into Keir Starmer at PMQs with savage 3-word statement
282 Comments
Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'
67 Comments
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
47 Comments
Don't miss...
Labour Leftie unleashes huge ￡120bn list of tax hike demands on Rachel Reeves
Rachel Reeves' Cash ISA plan slammed as a 'decade late'
Rachel Reeves had her hands clasped as she sat next to Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Parliament TV)
Nevertheless, Ms Honigman stressed that her attention had been drawn to one key point.
She continued: "There's one thing that is different to everyone else, however, and this may be the key to how she feels."
Whereas usually, crossed arms would be paired with downwards-facing palms, which are also protective, Ms Reeves had her palms up seen "turned upwards", Ms Honigman pointed out.
Sponsored
Pubyfun | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
This New AC Cooler Cools the Room In Seconds
Undo
She said: "Her hands are turned upwards in her lap, and her fingers are clearly displayed above the palm of her hand.
"Upwards-turned palms are more submissive. It is a 'begging' nonverbal cue and it reveals that the Shadow Chancellor is feeling vulnerable.
"This upwards-turned palms are the keenest clue which suggests that she is feeling sensitive and uncertain, and that she wants reassurance. There's low confidence indicated in that gesture."
The next time Ms Reeves appeared on screen, the fingers of both her hands weer laced together, gathered around her knee.
Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch speaking during Prime Minister's Questions (Image: PA)
Ms Honigman emphasised: "This gesture forms a triple-protective pose, comprising the protectiveness of a crossed leg, with the added protection of a raised knee, and then her arms and hands interlocked over it.
"Protective poses are intended to keep emotions on the inside and strangers on the outside, and this triple-locked body language says 'keep out'."
She concluded: "The popped knee with the laced hands over it, creates a bubble of protection over the politician, which she feels helps keep her safe.
"Reeves's lips are thin and tight as she smiles which is an uneasy smile that may indicate secrecy.”
During the feisty exchange, Mrs Badenoch labelled the Prime Minister “weak”, accusing him of “forced into a series of chaotic U-turns” and failing to head off doctors’ strikes.
Sir Keir defended Labour, saying he is “proud” of the NHS 10？year health plan, free school meals and the rollout of family hubs.
However, Mrs Badenoch warned “investors are fleeing the country” over what she called a potential “tax on aspiration”.
She added: “He’s flirting with Neil Kinnock’s demand for a wealth tax. Let’s be honest about what that means – this is a tax on all of our constituents’ savings… their houses, their pensions… Will the Prime Minister rule this out?”
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
Sir Keir replied: “What we did in the budget was stabilise the economy… Four interest rate cuts, for mortgage holders… compare that to the Liz Truss mini？budget.”
He continued: “The fastest growth in the G7 in the first quarter… Wages up more in the first 10 months of the Labour Government than the 10 years under the Tories. So no, we don't need lessons from them.”
Mrs Badenoch fired back: “He has been in office for a year… all we see is him congratulating himself… Nobody out there believes it… what a weak cheer.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Keir Starmer warned he risks 'another winter fuel crisis' over stealth tax bombshell
8 Comments
Fury as Labour refuses to rule out fresh tax hikes targeting 1 group
548 Comments
Kemi Badenoch has Slippery Starmer on the run over tax hikes
21 Comments
Keir Starmer told to 'explore' wealth tax on super rich
8 Comments
Kemi Badenoch tears into Keir Starmer at PMQs with savage 3-word statement
282 Comments
Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'
67 Comments
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
47 Comments
Rachel Reeves in the firing line as 'lame duck' Prime Minister plots reset
29 Comments
Rachel Reeves may target millions with punishing income tax hikes to plug ￡40bn hole
109 Comments
Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown
13 Comments
Kemi Badenoch says fake Conservatives should quit her party in wake of Reform defections
47 Comments
'Needs to go!' New calls for triple lock 'replacement' in betrayal of pensioners
4 Comments
Rachel Reeves' tax raid to see 'a pub close down a day' as economy turmoil bites
Comments
Shocking moment Rachel Reeves seen crying at brutal Prime Minister's Questions
80 Comments
This New Ac Cools Down a Room in Seconds and is Taking Las Vegas by...Pubyfun | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
POLL: Will Keir Starmer bring in wealth tax?
137 Comments
Kemi Badenoch to attack Nigel Farage in major welfare speech
23 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Keir Starmer refuses to rule out stealth income tax hike in PMQs bombshell
57 Comments
'Catastrophic!' Kemi Badenoch exposes Keir Starmer for 'flirting with wealth tax demands'
12 Comments
Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Kemi Badenoch blazes at 'immoral' cost of benefits bill as country braces for tax raids
308 Comments
Rachel Reeves dealt massive blow as she's warned more firms will go bust
5 Comments
Experts Tested 17 Hearing Aids. Their #1 Pick Will Shock Youhear.com | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Keir Starmer warned he risks 'another winter fuel crisis' over stealth tax bombshell
8 Comments
Fury as Labour refuses to rule out fresh tax hikes targeting 1 group
548 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom | Sponsored Sponsored
Click Here
Undo
Kemi Badenoch has Slippery Starmer on the run over tax hikes
21 Comments
Keir Starmer told to 'explore' wealth tax on super rich
8 Comments
High Speed Internet for Seniors at low rates worth switchingHigh-Speed Wi-Fi Internet Deals | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Kemi Badenoch tears into Keir Starmer at PMQs with savage 3-word statement
282 Comments
Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'
67 Comments
Urologists: Men With ED - Try This TonightHealth Paradise | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
47 Comments
Rachel Reeves in the firing line as 'lame duck' Prime Minister plots reset
29 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Rachel Reeves may target millions with punishing income tax hikes to plug ￡40bn hole
109 Comments
Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown
13 Comments
Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Kemi Badenoch says fake Conservatives should quit her party in wake of Reform defections
47 Comments
'Needs to go!' New calls for triple lock 'replacement' in betrayal of pensioners
4 Comments
Experts Tested 17 Hearing Aids. Their #1 Pick Will Shock Youhear.com | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Rachel Reeves' tax raid to see 'a pub close down a day' as economy turmoil bites
Comments
Shocking moment Rachel Reeves seen crying at brutal Prime Minister's Questions
80 Comments
POLL: Will Keir Starmer bring in wealth tax?
137 Comments
Kemi Badenoch to attack Nigel Farage in major welfare speech
23 Comments
Keir Starmer refuses to rule out stealth income tax hike in PMQs bombshell
57 Comments
'Catastrophic!' Kemi Badenoch exposes Keir Starmer for 'flirting with wealth tax demands'
12 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blazes at 'immoral' cost of benefits bill as country braces for tax raids
308 Comments
Rachel Reeves dealt massive blow as she's warned more firms will go bust
5 Comments
Keir Starmer warned he risks 'another winter fuel crisis' over stealth tax bombshell
8 Comments
Fury as Labour refuses to rule out fresh tax hikes targeting 1 group
548 Comments
Kemi Badenoch has Slippery Starmer on the run over tax hikes
21 Comments
Keir Starmer told to 'explore' wealth tax on super rich
8 Comments
Kemi Badenoch tears into Keir Starmer at PMQs with savage 3-word statement
282 Comments
Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'
67 Comments
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
47 Comments
High Speed Internet for Seniors at low rates...High-Speed Wi-Fi Internet Deals
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Reques...Dexcom
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Urologists: What 90% Of Men With ED Don't...Health Paradise
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
This New AC Cooler Cools the Room In SecondsPubyfun
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
She added: “On his watch, taxes are up, unemployment is up, inflation is up, and this weak Prime Minister has been forced into a series of chaotic U-turns.”
Sir Keir responded: “We're responsible for four million extra appointments in the NHS… free school meals… family hubs… migration coming down. We take responsibility and we're proud of that.”
Mrs Badenoch accused him of “folds in every negotiation and claims that it is a triumph”, and mocked his handling of doctors’ pay: “He boasted that he solved the doctors' strike… only now we see they're still voting to strike again."
Read Next