Badenoch eschews niceties and takes lumps out of Starmer’s cabinet in first PMQs after quitting – The Irish Times
Andy Burnham is poised to succeed Keir Starmer as UK Prime Minister, inheriting a House of Commons defined by an increasingly combative atmosphere. According to recent Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has shifted toward a pugnacious parliamentary style, signaling a brutal weekly battle for the incoming PM starting in September.
How will Kemi Badenoch’s leadership style affect Andy Burnham?
Andy Burnham faces a steep learning curve at the dispatch box. Kemi Badenoch has established herself as a “pugilistic parliamentarian” since becoming Conservative leader in November 2024. Her recent performance suggests she’ll use aggression as a primary tool to destabilize the new administration.
The transition marks a shift in Tory tactics. Badenoch didn’t just target the Prime Minister; she attempted to “maul” the cabinet. For Burnham, the challenge isn’t just policy—it’s the “verve” required to survive a leader who views grace as a weakness. This creates a precedent where the opposition leader seeks to dominate the narrative through sheer force of personality rather than purely legislative critique.
What happened during Keir Starmer’s final PMQs?
Keir Starmer’s final exchange was marked by unpredictability and personal attacks. Badenoch opened the session with a taunt, referencing a byelection win for Tory candidate Douglas Lumsden in Aberdeen South on the same day Burnham won Makerfield. “I’m much happier with my new MP than he is with his,” Badenoch told Starmer.
The session grew so heated that Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle intervened. Hoyle warned MPs to monitor their tone and language, suggesting that if they used aggressive language in the chamber, they couldn’t complain when the public mirrored that behavior. Starmer responded to the chaos with a wry smile, stating, “I shall miss these exchanges.”
Who are the primary targets in the current Tory-Labour clash?
Badenoch’s attacks focused heavily on key Labour figures likely to hold power under Burnham. She targeted Ed Miliband, a potential chancellor candidate, accusing him of being “treacherous” and plotting to remove Starmer. “It’s not the first time he’s betrayed someone close to him,” Badenoch claimed, sparking gasps from the chamber.
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson also faced a barrage. Despite Starmer defending Phillipson’s background of poverty in Sunderland as an example of social mobility, Badenoch labeled her a “spiteful class warrior.” She dismissed Phillipson’s tenure as a “disaster,” arguing that if the secretary knew so much about poor children, she “shouldn’t have given them fewer teachers.”
Badenoch further attacked Labour MPs for their perceived hypocrisy, claiming they cheered for Starmer while he had “400 knives stuck in his back.”
What is Keir Starmer’s role after resigning?
Starmer’s political spokesman confirmed to Westminster journalists that the outgoing prime minister will remain an MP. He clarified that Starmer is unlikely to serve in Andy Burnham’s cabinet, effectively shutting down rumors that he might have pursued the foreign secretary role.
This creates a unique dynamic in the House of Commons. Having a former prime minister on the backbenches can either provide a stabilizing influence or a source of internal friction, depending on how Burnham manages his predecessor’s presence during the upcoming autumn session.
The “Bizarre” Side of the Commons: Unpredictable Interventions
Beyond the high-stakes clashes, the session featured surreal moments that highlight the eccentricity of parliamentary life. Putney MP Fleur Anderson asked about climate change and heatwaves, but only after informing the House that “a mature tree fell on my house today.”
Tory MP Desmond Swayne took a different approach, asking Starmer if he was familiar with a 1907 children’s story about a boy named Jim who was eaten by a lion after running away from his nurse. Starmer appeared “utterly bemused” by the query, illustrating the wide spectrum of PMQs, from brutal political warfare to the completely absurd.
Quick Facts: The Transition at a Glance
| Entity | Status/Role | Key Recent Action |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Burnham | Incoming PM | Won Makerfield seat |
| Kemi Badenoch | Tory Leader | Aggressive PMQs performance |
| Keir Starmer | Outgoing PM / MP | Resigned as PM |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Keir Starmer stay in the government?
No. According to his political spokesman, Starmer will remain an MP but will not serve in Andy Burnham’s cabinet.
Who is Kemi Badenoch?
Badenoch is the leader of the Conservative Party and the primary opposition figure who will challenge the new Prime Minister at the dispatch box.
When does the new Prime Minister start facing PMQs?
The battle is expected to begin when Parliament returns from its summer recess in September.
What do you think about Kemi Badenoch’s combative style? Does it strengthen the opposition or damage parliamentary decorum? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest Westminster updates.