Sir Keir Starmer Defends Record as Kemi Badenoch Accuses Prime Minister of Squandering Political Capital

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of 'squandering his political capital' during the final Prime Minister's Questions before next week's elections. Badenoch claimed Sir Keir had presided over 'one disaster after another', focusing solely on 'saving his own skin'.

Sir Keir defended his government's record, citing the delivery of workers' rights, enhanced security for renters, and lifting half a million children out of poverty. He stated, 'That's our mission, nothing is going to hold us back,' and dismissed the Conservative push for an inquiry into his appointment of Lord Mandelson as 'political games'.

On Tuesday evening, the House of Commons voted 335 to 233 against referring the Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee. A significant mobilisation by Downing Street ensured most Labour MPs opposed the motion.

Badenoch asserted that the Prime Minister had been reduced to 'begging' for support in the vote, contrasting it with the 'sycophantic questions from adoring new MPs' following the 2024 general election. She likened the government to 'a bad episode of Game Of Thrones,' adding, 'His own people have turned against him and all the while, the prime minister is holed up in his castle, wetting himself about a visit from the King in the North,' in a veiled reference to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

The Conservative leader further argued that the UK's defence capabilities were compromised by excessive welfare spending, which Sir Keir allegedly could not address due to his 'squandered political capital saving his own skin'. Sir Keir countered by stating the government was increasing defence spending to its highest level since the Cold War and highlighted the introduction of a youth guarantee scheme to facilitate youth employment.

Regarding the Privileges Committee vote, Sir Keir noted that while he was chairing a meeting on the Middle East, Badenoch was engaged in 'a desperate, baseless political stunt'.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey raised concerns about food security, attributing potential 10% food price increases this year to the conflict against Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He urged the government to introduce a Good Food Bill to establish long-term food security targets and support UK farmers. Sir Keir acknowledged discussing food security, noting that events in the Middle East would 'affect every single one of our constituents'. He also criticised Sir Ed for backing the Privileges Committee motion.

Next week's elections will see voters in Scotland and Wales electing representatives to their national parliaments, whilst English voters will elect councillors in approximately 5,000 local authority seats.